Loan apps have become a popular way to get quick cash in Kenya and other parts of Africa. However, many users are unaware that these apps often access personal data — including your phone contacts, messages, and call logs.
If you’ve ever been harassed by lenders or had your friends contacted over unpaid loans, this guide will help you secure your privacy and block loan apps from accessing your contacts.
Why Loan Apps Access Your Contacts
Most digital lending apps request access to your contacts during installation. They claim it helps with identity verification or improving service delivery, but in reality, many use that access to pressure borrowers through friends or family when loans go unpaid.
This violates your privacy — and in Kenya, it’s now illegal under the Data Protection Act and Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) Digital Credit Providers Regulations.
How to Stop Loan Apps from Accessing Your Contacts
1️⃣ Change App Permissions (Android)
Follow these steps to revoke contact access:
- Open Settings on your phone.
- Go to Apps & Notifications (or Apps).
- Find the loan app (e.g., Tala, Branch, Zenka, etc.).
- Tap Permissions.
- Toggle Contacts to Deny or Don’t allow.
✅ This stops the app from reading or exporting your contacts list.
2️⃣ Disable Background Data Access
Some apps try to sync data silently in the background.
To stop this:
- Go to Settings → Apps → [App Name] → Mobile Data & Wi-Fi.
- Turn off Background Data and Unrestricted Data Usage.
3️⃣ Clear App Data and Uninstall
If you’ve already borrowed and repaid your loan:
- Go to Settings → Apps → [App Name].
- Tap Storage → Clear Data & Cache.
- Tap Uninstall.
This ensures the app can no longer access stored permissions or cached information.
4️⃣ Report Harassment to Authorities
If a lender has shared your data or contacted your friends:
- Report to the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner (ODPC) via https://www.odpc.go.ke/.
- File a complaint with the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) if it’s a licensed digital lender.
- You can also report abusive apps on Google Play Store → Report as Inappropriate.
5️⃣ Use Trusted Loan Apps Only
Before downloading any app, check:
- Publisher details on Play Store.
- User reviews and permissions requested.
- If the app is listed among CBK-licensed digital lenders.
This ensures your data is protected and you borrow safely.
Top Safe Loan Apps Approved by CBK (2025)
| Loan App | Backed By | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Tala | Tala Kenya Ltd | Instant loans with credit history tracking |
| Branch | Branch International | Flexible repayment via M-Pesa |
| KCB Mpesa | KCB Bank + Safaricom | Directly integrated with Mpesa |
| Mshwari | NCBA Bank + Safaricom | No app download needed |
| Zenka | Zenka Finance Ltd | Transparent terms, CBK licensed |
Final Thoughts
Protecting your personal data is your right. Always review app permissions before installing, and deny access to sensitive information such as contacts, SMS, or files.
If you’ve already given permission, you can revoke it anytime through your phone settings and ensure no one misuses your information again.
Next Step
Check your app permissions now!
Open your phone settings and remove contact access from all loan apps to protect your privacy instantly.
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