Top 10 Tech Disruptions Over the Past 10 Years

It may not feel essential to the user experience, but security can make or break it. From cloud security and API security to data protection and encryption, security is a priority, and it helps us build better apps. Apps that protect our users’ data and earn their trust for good reason. In this article, we’ll discuss how to protect user data on both iOS and Android platforms, from first launch to enterprise. Mobile Devices, Data & Privacy Mobile devices constantly collect and share data, making personal privacy an issue. Mobile devices collect various types of user information, including personal details, app usage, and location data. This information can be shared with third parties for purposes such as ad targeting, analytics, and service improvements. However, the extent and nature of this data sharing are not always transparent to users. While companies are required to disclose data collection practices and obtain user consent in some jurisdictions (e.g., under the GDPR in the EU), the implementation and enforcement of privacy laws vary across regions. Some large tech companies, including Google and Meta, have faced significant fines for privacy violations, indicating that regulations like GDPR can hold companies accountable. Both Google and Meta have been fined for privacy violations, demonstrating that GDPR in Europe “has some teeth,” according to Brad Weber. Concerns arise when third parties use collected data in unexpected ways, such as selling it to other companies or using it for purposes beyond what users initially consented to. The lack of consistent, strong privacy protections across all regions leaves many mobile device users vulnerable to potential misuse of their personal information. To protect their privacy, users can take steps such as reviewing app permissions, using privacy-focused browsers and search engines, and supporting initiatives that push for stronger, more uniform privacy regulations globally. As a product owner, prioritize data minimization to protect user privacy. Mobile devices constantly collect and share data, which can be used to track users’ locations, activities, and personal information. Data protection, security, and privacy are crucial components of data well-being, and product owners have a responsibility to safeguard user data. For an app to function properly, it may require access to sensitive information such as the user’s location or contacts list. However, it is essential to obtain explicit user consent before accessing or sharing any such data. Product owners should carefully evaluate the necessity of each piece of data collected and ensure that users are fully informed about how their data will be used. As an iOS developer (or any other type), you should always ask yourself: “Is this necessary?” If not—and if alternative methods are available—you should use those instead. Data is a precious resource—one of the most valuable assets to an organization that must be protected accordingly. With data sharing, less is more. Collecting only what you truly need will help protect your users’ privacy and security from potential hackers who might try stealing sensitive information from them through malware attacks on their mobile phone/tablet devices. As an iOS developer or any other type of developer, always ask yourself: “Is this data absolutely necessary for the app’s core functionality?” If not, and if alternative methods are available, prioritize those options instead. Collecting only the minimum amount of data required not only helps protect users’ privacy but also reduces the potential impact of data breaches. Data is one of the most valuable assets to an organization and must be protected accordingly. By adopting a data minimization approach and collecting only what is truly necessary, product owners can help safeguard users’ privacy and security from potential threats, such as hackers attempting to steal sensitive information through malware attacks on mobile devices. Furthermore, being transparent about data collection practices and providing users with clear options to control their data can help build trust and foster a positive relationship between the app and its users. Regularly reviewing and updating data collection practices in line with evolving privacy regulations and best practices is also crucial for maintaining a strong commitment to user privacy. Android & Apple: How They Handle Security Differently Ensuring the safety of our personal data and privacy is of utmost importance, and that’s where mobile security comes into play. When it comes to this, two of the biggest players in the market are Apple’s iOS and Google’s Android. While iOS is renowned for its closed ecosystem and timely security updates, Android’s strength lies in its open nature. Let’s delve deeper into their respective security mechanisms and compare their attributes. Which is more secure—iOS or Android? In general, iOS is considered to be more secure than Android. This is due to several factors, including: Apple’s Closed Ecosystem: Apple has much more control over the hardware and software that goes into its devices, which makes it more difficult for hackers to find and exploit vulnerabilities. Apple’s Aggressive Security Patching: Apple quickly releases security patches for its devices, which helps keep users safe from known vulnerabilities. Android’s Fragmentation: The Android ecosystem is very fragmented, with many different manufacturers and carriers offering their own operating system versions. This makes it more difficult for Google to release security patches for all Android devices and gives hackers more targets to exploit. However, it is important to note that no operating system is 100% secure. There have been malware and hacking attacks on iOS and Android devices. Ultimately, the security of your device depends on both the operating system and the user’s behavior. Android and iOS devices employ various security measures to keep data safe. Both Android and iOS use strong encryption features to protect data. If a device is stolen, the data cannot be accessed without the encryption key. However, there are differences in encryption methods between the two platforms. Android employs device-specific keys that are unique to each device. This means there is no universal key for all Android devices. Google services like Gmail or Chrome may have separate keys associated with them. Both the device-specific key and the Google key are required to access data. In contrast, iOS uses a combination of device-specific keys and iCloud keys. Even if someone has a device, they still need the iCloud password to access the data. While both platforms have strong encryption features, encryption is not foolproof. It is essential to take additional security measures to keep data safe. Security Features on Android Devices By utilizing data encryption, data accessibility, and other security features, Android devices effectively safeguard data against unauthorized access: Data Encryption: Android’s encryption features have become increasingly sophisticated and robust. All Android devices are encrypted by default, and Android 12 introduces improvements such as enhanced file-based encryption, stronger encryption for sensitive data, and new security features for app developers. Data Accessibility: Android devices use a permission system to regulate app data access. Only apps with granted permissions can access specific data. App permissions can be managed in Settings > Apps & notifications > Advanced > App permissions. Malware: Google Play Protect scans apps for malware and other security threats and monitors devices for suspicious activity.  Two-Factor Authentication: Android two-factor authentication (2FA) adds an extra layer of security to Android devices and accounts by requiring a code from users’ phones and their passwords when logging in. Android users can enable Android 2FA in Settings > Security > 2-step verification. Find My: Find My Device helps locate lost or stolen devices and allows data erasure, if necessary. Dedicated Storage: Trusty is a dedicated secure subsystem on Android devices that securely stores sensitive data like fingerprint and face scan data. This data is encrypted and can only be accessed by authorized apps with the correct credentials. Security Updates: Google regularly releases security updates for Android, addressing potential vulnerabilities that attackers may exploit. It is important to install these updates promptly. Furthermore, Google’s latest Android operating system introduces new default app security features. Since Android 7.0 Nougat (released in 2016) automatically encrypts all Android devices. The data on the device is protected by a strong encryption key accessible only with the device passcode, PIN, or pattern. Android 12, the latest version, introduces additional security features, including: Enhanced Encryption: Android 12 encrypts files with unique keys, making it harder for attackers to access data even with compromised device encryption keys. Stronger encryption algorithms protect sensitive data like biometric authentication and app credentials. New Security Features for App Developers: Android 12 provides new APIs for developers to implement secure encryption practices. Security Features on iOS Devices iOS devices use a variety of security features to keep your data safe, including: Data Encryption: Using a strong encryption algorithm, iOS devices encrypt all user data by default. This means that if someone were to steal your device or gain unauthorized access to the data, they would not be able to read it without the encryption key. Your device passcode, PIN, or pattern protects the encryption key. Data Accessibility: iOS devices use a permission system to control which apps can access data. This means that apps can only access data you have permitted. You can control app permissions using Settings > Privacy & Security > App Permissions. Malware: Apple does not have a built-in malware scanner for iOS. Instead, Apple relies on several other security features to protect iOS devices, such as: Sandbox: iOS uses a sandbox system to isolate apps from each other and the system. This prevents malicious apps from accessing other apps or system files. Code Signing: All apps on the App Store are code-signed by Apple. This means that Apple has verified the developer’s identity, and the app has not been tampered with. Automatic Security Updates: iOS devices automatically receive security updates from Apple. This helps to keep iOS devices up to date with the latest security patches. Two-Factor Authentication: 2FA is a security feature that adds an extra layer of protection to your account by requiring you to enter a code from your phone and your password when logging in. You can enable 2FA for your Apple ID by going to Settings > Your Name > Password & Security. Find My: Find My is a service that can help you to locate your lost or stolen device. It can also help you erase your device’s data if necessary. Dedicated Storage: Secure Enclave is a dedicated chip that securely stores sensitive data like fingerprint and face scan data. This encrypted data can only be accessed with the iOS user’s passcode, PIN, or pattern. Security Updates: Apple releases security updates for iOS regularly. These updates patch security vulnerabilities that attackers could exploit. It is important to install security updates as soon as they are available. Furthermore, the latest iOS release, iOS 16, introduces several new security features and enhancements that help to protect users from a wide range of threats. Some of these features are, notably: Lockdown Mode: Lockdown Mode is a new mode that provides an extreme level of security for users who face targeted threats to their digital security. When Lockdown Mode is enabled, certain features and functionality are limited to help protect users from targeted attacks. For example, most messaging attachments other than images are blocked, and incoming FaceTime calls from unknown callers are prevented. Enhanced Privacy Controls: iOS 16 includes several new privacy controls, such as the ability to choose which apps are allowed to access your location and the ability to see which apps have accessed your clipboard in the past hour. Regarding apps and mobile devices, it’s clear that security is on everyone’s mind. With great convenience comes great responsibility. It’s important to approach security thoughtfully to navigate the digital landscape. Taking Security Further As a developer, you can go beyond what the OS offers by investing in security from the ground up. Taking the right precautions when developing mobile apps can help ensure user data is safe. The first step is to use a secure coding language and development environment. You can also implement specific security measures such as encryption, 2FA, and biometrics authentication. Securing Your First App The first step to ensuring your user data is safe is a secure coding language and development environment. There are many ways that hackers can get access to your app’s code, so it’s important that you use secure coding practices at every step of the process. If you are launching an app for the first time, the most important security things for you to know and implement are: Start with a security-first mindset. Keep security in mind throughout development, from design to implementation to testing. Don’t underestimate the importance of security testing. Hire a security professional to test your app before you release it. Be transparent with your users about how you are protecting their data. Publish a privacy policy and explain to your users how you are using their data. Be responsive to security vulnerabilities. If a security vulnerability is discovered in your app, fix it immediately and release a patch. By following these tips, you can help to ensure that your first app is secure and that your users have a positive experience. For enterprise-level data protection, add an extra layer of control. In addition to the above measures, large enterprise apps may also need to consider the following: Implement two-factor authentication for all of your apps. 2FA adds an extra layer of security to your apps by requiring users to enter a code from their phone in addition to their password when logging in. Use biometrics to authenticate users. Biometrics, such as fingerprints and face scans, are a secure way to authenticate users. Use a threat modeling process to identify and mitigate security risks. Threat modeling is a process that helps you to identify and assess potential security threats to your app. Once you have identified the threats, you can implement mitigation strategies to reduce the risk. Implement role-based access control. Role-based access control (RBAC) is a system that controls which users have access to which resources in your app. This helps to prevent unauthorized users from accessing sensitive data or performing unauthorized actions. Implement a zero-trust security model. A zero-trust security model assumes no user or device can be trusted by default. This approach can help protect your app from unauthorized access, even if an attacker can compromise a user’s account or device. In addition to the above measures, large enterprise apps may need to comply with various regulations, such as HIPAA, PCI DSS, and GDPR. These regulations often have specific security requirements that must be met. It is important to educate your employees about security best practices. Security awareness and training will help reduce the risk of human error, a major cause of security breaches. Treat security as a competitive advantage. Mobile app security has become a top priority for businesses of all sizes. With the increasing number of data breaches and cyberattacks targeting mobile apps, users are more discerning than ever about the apps they download and use. Businesses that take mobile app security seriously can gain a significant competitive advantage. Many users need to be made aware of the security features available in mobile apps. Businesses can gain a competitive advantage by highlighting their app’s security features in marketing materials and app store listings. You can also innovate using security to your advantage. Taking mobile app security seriously can increase customer trust, loyalty, and market share. Focus on Security: Case Study For example, security is paramount in the rapidly evolving real estate industry. Buyers, sellers, and agents must be confident that their personal and financial information is safe and secure. inHere understands this and has made mobile app security a top priority. Industry experts have recognized this focus on mobile app security. inHere was nominated as an honorable mention for the Fast Company Security category of the prestigious Innovation by Design Awards. inHere’s focus on mobile app security has helped the company to build a reputation as a trusted and innovative platform for real estate transactions. This reputation has given inHere a competitive advantage in the market. Mobile Device Security Affects Everyone If you take the right precautions when developing mobile apps, you can ensure user data is safe. Personal privacy has become a pressing issue with the advent of mobile devices. With so much data being collected and shared by these devices, developers must be aware of the security and privacy concerns of creating iOS or Android apps. By following best practices when developing your app and keeping up with current trends in mobile technology, you can ensure that users will have peace of mind when using your product.

Not long ago, the idea that a financial customer preferred to never speak with a human being seemed questionable. But today, both tech-savvy startups and traditional financial institutions have fully embraced it. We’re talking about fintech, which has rapidly integrated into daily life—so much so that a trip to the bank, for example, can feel like going to the principal’s office. Fintech apps are innovating at such an unprecedented pace that it can be hard to keep up with. Advancing tech in day-to-day finance means applying everything from cloud-based computing to AI to create increasingly digital financial experiences. With consumers hungry for digital options, it’s become a very crowded marketplace. As the pioneering mind behind Apple once said, “Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower.” We’re looking for the cut above the rest. Not every fintech app can stand out as one that transforms user experiences and helps improve people’s lives (the kind of fintech app we like to build). In this article, we’ve selected the top fintech apps we admire. In no particular order, here’s the list.   Best Fintech App for Banking & Investment: Betterment Betterment is the biggest independent digital investment advisor in the US and a smart money manager. Betterment serves one purpose: to help you make the most of your money. A low-cost, automated investment service combined with an easy-to-use interface, Betterment’s mission is to make investing accessible to everyone. And while Betterment serves every financial need from checking to investing, cash reserve, and retirement, key features we admire are its socially responsible investment capabilities. Do you want to impact climate change or social issues? With Betterment, you choose how your money will make an impact. Portfolios make it easy for you to invest in alignment with your values. You can support companies that:  Impact climate change through lower carbon emissions and green projects. Impact society through working toward minority empowerment ($NACP) and gender diversity ($SHE). Impact the world more broadly through exchange-traded funds that consider all environmental, social, and corporate governance elements like lower carbon emissions, ethical labor management, and greater board diversity. In AltFi’s interview with Betterment CEO Sarah Levy, Levy says, “Fintech is well known for being more male and more white.” Clearly, Betterment is making inroads with the launch of an industry-wide Fintech Equality Coalition addressing that and its own platform’s portfolios targeted toward minority empowerment and gender diversity.   Best Fintech App for Real Estate: inHere For decades, the world of real estate has adhered to a rather unchanging script when it comes to home buying. But, as we’ve always believed at InspiringApps, innovation knows no bounds, and that’s precisely where inHere steps in. Say hello to the inHere platform—a visionary solution that encompasses Start inHere, the inHere mobile app and portal, Notarize inHere, and Close inHere. These seamless apps afford users a complete overhaul of the real estate experience right from the moment a transaction is set in motion until the final closure. According to a press release by FNF CEO Randy Quirk, “Real estate professionals and consumers are ready to embrace change in the closing process, but there hasn’t been a large enough coordinated effort to deliver on the customer’s desire for change or to capitalize on the change itself.” And here, inHere emerges as the leader, redefining transparency, efficiency, and security in the world of real estate. “The inHere Experience Platform overcomes these hurdles and provides the necessary scale needed for real change to occur,” said Quirk. It’s not just about a transaction—it’s about an experience, an encounter that’s worthy of the modern era. So much so that inHere was nominated as an honorable mention in the prestigious 2023 Innovation by Design Awards by Fast Company.   Best Fintech App for Insurance: Lemonade If the insurance industry was ripe for disruption, Lemonade found the fruit. Powered by tech and driven by social good, Lemonade offers many flavors of insurance that you can buy using bots—not brokers. Anyone can be insured, including rentals, homes, cars, pets, and people (term life). Want to reverse the traditional insurance model? Lemonade is an insurer that treats your money like it’s yours. Eliminating the middle man and using a flat-fee model means that after paying claims, Lemonade can give back to causes you care about. How does Lemonade’s giveback program work? When you get a Lemonade policy, you choose a nonprofit you care about. On an annual basis, Lemonade gives back up to 40% of that unclaimed money from policyholders who chose that cause to the nonprofit. According to Lemonade, in 2021, the giveback totaled over $2 million. Lemonade is a Public Benefit Corporation and a Certified B-Corp. Award-winning Lemonade has been named Best Renters Insurance by Forbes for hard-to-find coverage.   Best Fintech App for HR: Catch Benefits The concept of how we work is changing with the rise of the gig economy, and yet the needs of gig workers are often overlooked. Catch Benefits aims to change that by leveraging the power of fintech to support human resources. Catch Benefits sells health insurance, retirement savings plans, and tax withholding directly to freelancers and contractors or anyone who is uncovered. The Catch Benefits app helps gig workers with withholding taxes, retirement planning, and health insurance, providing expert advice no matter how or how much income workers earn. Because of the gap in health insurance for gig workers, we’re most impressed by this feature of the app. Catch Benefits contains health explorers that let gig workers compare plans from insurers. It’s the first of its kind to focus so heavily on freelancer benefits. In speaking with Tearsheet, CEO Kristen Anderson says, “Our users tend to have complex income stories, and need an ability to automate their taxes, get their retirement in order, and most importantly, access that high quality health insurance that so many of us depend on here.”   Best Fintech App for Families: Goalsetter If parents are banking digitally, where are their children learning to balance a checkbook? Wealth is built up over generations, and so building the right habits early is an important lesson. Goalsetter is a financial literacy and planning platform, savings account, and debit card designed for users of all ages. The app’s mission is to get every family in America saving. Goalsetter provides families with tools to build up savings, setting it apart from the average saving app and offering more than a debit card designed for teens. While the kid in all of us might groan to think we’d need to complete a financial quiz to get our allowance, Goalsetter’s educational features are centered around memes and gifs that keep kids entertained as they learn. And the social saving features mean that everyone in the family can contribute to big goals—parents and extended family can auto-save, too. Given all these great features, it’s not surprising that Goalsetter was a 2022 winner of the FinTech Breakthrough Award for “Best Personal Financial product.”   Best Fintech App for Women: Ellevest Gender and equality are often discussed when it comes to pay. But how does gender impact investing? Using the latest fintech, the innovative Ellevest became the No. 1 investment app for women by recognizing gender in its investment algorithm. Ellevest is a digital investment platform designed specifically for women. It creates customized investing plans based on personal goals, such as early retirement or starting a business. The app takes into account what impacts and matters to women, like longer life expectancy and salary peaks earlier in their careers. According to Wallstreet veteran CEO Sally Krawcheck, in an interview with CNBC, “Whereas men feel empowered when it comes to money, women feel disempowered and feel scarcity and shame.” It’s humbling to think fintech can change that. At InspiringApps, we applaud apps that empower others: apps like Ellevest. Concluding Thoughts: The Best Fintech Apps So many fintech apps are among the best: apps like Acorns, Chime, Revolut, Mint, and Robinhood are popular and well-loved. We looked for apps we admire for their transformative impact and ability to do good in the marketplace. In fintech today, this could be a much longer list. At InspiringApps, we also specialize in apps that transform and make an impact. Are you ready to build the next best fintech app? Check out our other resources on fintech below: Fintech & Mobile App Development App Integration for a Better Fintech App