Let’s learn more together, join Pop Mech Pro. 👩‍💻 You want to keep tabs on your tech privacy options. If downloaded and operated as-is, Venmo automatically makes its 83 million users’ activity on the platform available for all to see.

Users can opt out of this fun by making their account-including their friend list and their “payment notes,” the messages they are required to send with each transaction-private, but that requires manually changing the app’s default settings. “The fun of connecting with friends in person continues right into your Venmo feed.” “Settling up feels like catching up,” the app says on its website. Of the bunch, Venmo feels most like a social media platform, thanks to its public feed, friend list, and messaging between users. To protect yourself, set your Venmo profile and your friend list to private, as well as all past and future payment notes.Ĭash-sharing apps like Paypal, Zelle, and Venmo are a popular and convenient way to split the check at a restaurant, donate to a local cause, or pay for that cool rug you found on Craigslist.Researchers analyzed more than 300 million Venmo messages and found many users are sharing private information on the app, including their physical location, health conditions, and political orientation.

Used in its default setting, activity on the cash-sharing app Venmo is public, including transaction history, friend lists, and messages sent with payments.

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