Shop data security

Shopify Apps
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Topic summary

Concern: Installing Shopify apps may expose stores to data and security risks because many request access to sensitive information (orders, customers, product inventories, costs, sales data).

Clarification from replies: The risk is real. Some apps have turned rogue, visibly redirecting visitors to other sites. More worrying are less visible behaviors, where apps could misuse or sell accessed data to third parties without an obvious trace.

Scope of access: Access often includes confidential operational metrics (e.g., cost of goods, inventory levels, sales performance), raising competitive and privacy concerns, especially with lesser-known providers.

Outcomes and actions: No concrete mitigation steps or official guidance were provided in the thread. No decisions made.

Status: Discussion remains open; the original request for clarification stands. Key unresolved question: how to evaluate and safely grant app permissions, particularly for apps from unknown developers.

Summarized with AI on December 16. AI used: gpt-5.
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Hi all,

If this topic has already been discussed somewhere, I apologize, but I couldn’t find it.

As a beginner in Shopify, I have an observation and concern, possibly resulting from ignorance: does installing various add-ons and applications in the store expose the store to unwanted activities? I have noticed that virtually all applications require access to confidential data, such as orders and customers.

If it is a proven application from a well-known provider, then we can trust that it is not simply a way to extract data, but most solutions are of unknown origin.

I would be grateful for clarification.

Paweł Jońca

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Unfortunately, you’re about right.

I’ve seen a lot of apps which turned rogue and all of a sudden decided to redirect visitors to a different site, but at least, this behaviour is visible and can be tracked down.

You never can tell what an app does with the data you gave it access to, like product inventories or cost of goods. Or your actual sales data.
This information can easily be sold to 3rd parties.

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