Study finds app users worried about privacy

More than half of mobile application users have uninstalled or avoided certain apps over privacy concerns, according to a study released Wednesday by the Pew Center.

The study found that 54 percent of app users have avoided an app when they discover how much personal information it collects or shares. About 30 percent have uninstalled an app that was already on the phone when they learned how it was using their data.

Taken together, the study found that 57 percent of app users have either uninstalled or avoided apps due to privacy issues.

Mobile apps can raise more privacy concerns than applications on desktop computers because they have access to more personal information, such as the user's physical location.

The Pew study found that 19 percent of app users have turned off location tracking features to protect their privacy. 

Apple changed its privacy policy for apps earlier this year after researchers revealed that the Path social networking app was accessing users' address books without their permission.

According to Pew, 88 percent of U.S. adults own a cellphone, and 43 percent say they download apps.

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