Privacy and Transparency Matter

Choosing a Trustworthy App for Volunteer

Emma Brown
Lisa Schneegans

Jan 30, 2025

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When it comes to volunteer engagement, ensuring the privacy and security of user data is critical. Volunteers are often reluctant to share personal information and device identifiers when using apps to facilitate organizing and communication. They are particularly reluctant to share their friends and family contact information with the apps. Not all apps handle this data with the same level of care, and it falls on the organization to ensure the app handles their volunteer’s data with care. Here's how to evaluate which app to trust based on privacy policies and their stated data handling practices

Data Collection: What’s Being Gathered?

Most relational apps ask users to share their friend’s personal information, such as names, email addresses, and phone numbers. In addition, they may request device identifiers. This is not inherently bad—data collection is often necessary for core functionalities like communication and engagement tracking or creating contact lists for the user. However, it's essential for apps to clearly outline why this data is needed and how it will be used.

Data Sharing: Who Else Sees Your Information?

One of the most critical factors in choosing an app should be whether your volunteer’s data is shared with third parties. Some apps explicitly state that no user data is shared outside the usage of the app. In other words, they do not share your friend's data with others, like the campaign or any of their other customers or partners. This transparency and restriction build confidence, as volunteers know their data won’t be sold or used for purposes outside the app’s intended functions.

Transparency: The Cornerstone of Trust

Clear, upfront disclosure of how data is collected, used, and shared is key. Volunteers should look for apps that provide detailed information about their privacy policies. The ideal app should:

  1. Collect only the data necessary to perform its functions.
  2. Avoid sharing data with external organizations.
  3. Provide a clear and accessible explanation of its data practices.

When apps take these steps, they demonstrate a commitment to user privacy and security.

Making the Right Choice

When selecting an app for volunteer engagement, organizations and campaigns should prioritize protecting their volunteers' privacy by asking the app developer a critical question: Do you share any data, such as the phone numbers or other personal information of volunteers' friends and contacts, with any third parties? This is especially important because volunteers often share their contact lists to facilitate outreach efforts, and any mishandling of this data opens the doors to privacy violations or misuse. Transparency from the app developer about how contact data is handled—whether it is stored securely, used solely within the platform, or shared externally—is essential for building trust and ensuring that volunteers feel confident participating in the program. Organizations must make this question a key part of their evaluation process to safeguard both their reputation and their volunteers' trust.

Ultimately, the app you choose should align with your organization’s values and your volunteers’ expectations for privacy. An app that collects data responsibly and refrains from sharing it externally often proves to be the most trustworthy option.

By prioritizing transparency and privacy, you can ensure your volunteers feel secure and supported as they work toward your shared goals.

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