Practice identifying types of personal data, evaluating app permission requests, and explaining consent in digital apps.
Read each problem carefully. Answer in complete sentences when asked to explain your thinking.
Understanding how apps collect, use, and protect personal data
Computer Science - Grade 6-8
- 1
An app asks for your name, age, email address, location, and contacts list. List which of these are examples of personal data and explain why they matter.
- 2
A flashlight app asks for permission to use the camera flash, your microphone, your location, and your contacts. Which permission seems necessary for the app to work, and which permissions seem unnecessary?
- 3
Define consent in the context of using an app. Include one example of giving consent and one example of not giving consent.
- 4
A weather app says, 'We use your location to show local forecasts.' Is this a clear reason for collecting location data? Explain your answer.
- 5
Read this privacy notice: 'We may collect information to improve services.' What is unclear about this statement, and how could it be improved?
- 6
A game app offers a free reward if users agree to share their contacts. Explain why this could be a privacy concern.
- 7
Match each type of data to the most likely app use: A. Location, B. Email address, C. Step count, D. Search history. Uses: 1. Send account recovery messages, 2. Track fitness progress, 3. Recommend content or ads, 4. Show nearby restaurants.
- 8
An app permission screen has two buttons: 'Accept All' and 'Manage Settings.' Why is 'Manage Settings' important for meaningful consent?
- 9
Write two questions you should ask before installing a new app that collects personal data.
- 10
A social media app collects birthday information. Give one helpful use and one risky use of collecting birthdays.
- 11
Look at this data flow: User enters email in app, app stores email on company server, company sends promotional messages. Identify where the user should be asked for consent.
- 12
Explain the difference between required data and optional data in an app.
- 13
A music app asks to access your microphone so it can identify songs playing nearby. What should the app explain before you decide whether to allow access?
- 14
Create a short privacy-friendly permission message for a photo editing app that needs access to photos. The message should be clear and specific.
- 15
Study this app dashboard: Location is on, Contacts is on, Camera is off, Notifications is on. Choose one setting you might turn off to improve privacy and explain why.