[pm-r]

Just wondering if I should avoid social media apps altogether or if using apps + certain settings is the same thing.

Good questions and I don't really know the answers but I would be inclined to do a fair bit of Googling to find out and maybe start off with a search for something like:
mac how to protect youself if using social media


Then add some more specific searches that more match your usage and look for the answers or at least the comments some may provide.

And I am sure some members will be able to provide you with some good information based on their experiences.

Bottom line, do not provide any personal information or addresses and maybe check out the privacy policy of each site you are planning on using. And I know I would avoid any such media place like any plague that insist on any personal data such as contact lists excetera. At most they will get my name and maybe birthdate, and certainly no friends or acquaintances information.

As far as I know, Apple does a pretty good job of protecting a users info and data as long as the user doesn't do anything stupid to break that protection. And we read and hear almost daily in the news of many individuals who do just that. But it's hard to fix stupidity.



- Patrick
=======

 

[pm-r]

Not sure if for example I install the facebook app on my iPhone if I have to give access to data on my iPhone that I don't want to give else the app is useless.

I would strongly suggest that if any application you install on your iPhone or iDevice or Mac for that matter insists on access to any data or files that belong to you, then I wouldn't even think of installing any such application if it would give others than yourself access. No way...

Maybe have a read of any privacy policy the software or application may provide, and hope they are honest about it.



- Patrick
=======

 

[pm-r]

From what I’ve read, the FB app is a terrible app to have installed on your idevice. From chewing through battery life to terrible privacy.

Like it and its many companion applications, one doesn't have to look very far to find out if they are recommended or not. Just try a quick search like this for a quick sample:

is iOS Facebook.app reliable - Google Search

- Patrick
=======

 

[pm-r]

pm-r, instructing people to use Google is not very helpful.

Many users don't know how to use a web search engine and providing them a source allows them to check easily and also allows them to broaden their knowledge base a lot more than a few members replies and their opinions, but I would say they are all beneficial to help answer a user's question or query.

BTW, did you have a proper, beneficial reply for the OP??? I didn't notice one, so my apologies if I missed it. ;-)





- Patrick
=======