What does your favorite app know?

Picture someone opening Instagram. It’s free. They scroll, tap, and watch.

Now check. As of 2026, Instagram says it collects:

• What you post and send
• Who you follow and connect with
• Your contacts, if you choose to upload them
• Details about your phone and your connection
• Your location, from things like your phone’s location setting and internet connection
• How you use the app, like what you view and for how long
• Information from partners about sites you visit and things you buy

All of this is personal data (show definition): information that can be tied to you, like your name, location, contacts, or what you type.

How many did you guess? This module follows your data to see where it goes and how you can take control.