New Delhi, May 7 -- On the surface, all stockbroking apps look similar. They help you trade for a fee, and users normally do a cost-benefit analysis before choosing one that suits them. However, what very few people realise is how much data - and what type - these apps collect.

Mint went to the Google Play Store and checked what permissions 16 popular stockbroking apps request from Android users. What we found is that different brokerages ask for different kinds - and numbers - of permissions.

Consider Angel One, India's third-largest stockbroker by active clients. The app asks for permission to read the user's contact list, and to know which other apps are installed on your phone. Such access, which can be used for various purposes (fo...