Many websites and apps let you create an account or sign in using an existing account instead of a new username and password.
This is convenient, but over time can leave dozens of apps and services connected to your accounts without you realizing it.
Reviewing and removing unnecessary access is one of the simplest ways to reduce privacy risk and improve account security. Despite that, it’s something most don’t think to check after initial setup.
This guide explains what third-party access is, why it matters, and how to review and remove it safely.
What “Third-Party Account Access” Means
When you allow an app or website to connect to your account, you are usually granting it permission to interact with that account on your behalf. This is done through authorization systems designed to avoid sharing your password directly, but it still creates an ongoing relationship between services.
Depending on what you approved, third-party access may allow an app to:
- Sign you in automatically
- Access basic profile information such as your name or email
- Read or modify certain data, depending on permissions
What’s important to understand is that this access does not automatically expire. If you stop using the app, the connection typically remains in place until you remove it manually.
Reviewing Connected Apps
Apps that were safe and useful at one point can become a risk later. Services change ownership, expand permissions, or alter how they handle data. In other cases, apps are simply abandoned while still retaining access.
Reviewing connected apps helps reduce unnecessary exposure and limits how far a breach elsewhere could reach.
Common reasons to review and remove access include:
- You no longer use the service
- The app changed ownership or policies
- A data breach exposed credentials or access tokens
- Permissions were broader than expected
- You granted access years ago and forgot about it
Even removing a few unused connections can meaningfully reduce risk.
How to Review Connected Apps and Websites
Most major account providers offer a dashboard that lists which apps and websites currently have access to your account. While the wording and layout differ, these sections are usually found under Security, Privacy, or Account Settings.
To review access, you’ll want to sign in then head to the security or privacy section.
Find the area listing connected or authorized apps, then review each entry individually
These pages typically show the name of the app, when access was granted, and what type of permissions it has.
Removing Access
You may also see options for “Remove,” “Revoke,” and/or “Disconnect.”
When choosing one of these options, the app can no longer interact with your account unless you explicitly grant access again.
Before removing access, it’s worth taking a moment to understand what the app does and whether you still rely on it. Removing access is usually safe, but some services depend entirely on third-party login.
If a service is still needed, removing access usually just means you’ll need to sign in again later as it usually only breaks the connection between the app and your account.
But be sure to review the website or app’s policy if you may need to use in the future. Most major platforms maintain dedicated documentation explaining how third-party access works, what different permissions allow, how revoking access affects connected services, and how to review recent security activity
After removing multiple connections, it’s a good idea to take a few additional steps to confirm your account is in good shape. This helps ensure there are no lingering security issues.
You may want to also:
- Review recent login activity
- Ensure multi-factor authentication is enabled
- Change your password if unknown apps were removed
These steps aren’t required every time, but they’re good practice after a larger cleanup.
Third-party access makes modern accounts easier to use, but it also allows access to accumulate quietly over time. Reviewing and removing unnecessary connections gives you better control over your accounts and reduces the impact of problems elsewhere.
A short review now can prevent bigger issues later.
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