Is IMDb Safe?

If you use or plan to use IMDb, you need to know: Is IMDb safe? 

Below, we explain whether IMDb is: 

• Safe to use. 
• Good for privacy. 

We also look at some steps you can take to improve both your safety and privacy when using this online service. 

What Is IMDb?

IMDb (Internet Movie Database) is an online platform that publishes information about movies, TV shows, actors, directors, and other entertainment industry professionals. 

The site details filmographies, biographies, plot summaries, release dates, user and critic reviews, and ratings. 

A key feature of IMDb is user-generated ratings, where registered users can rate movies and TV shows on a scale of 1 to 10. These ratings are then averaged to give a general score, which can provide insight into the popularity and quality of a film or show. 

IMDb’s “Top Rated Movies” and “Top Rated TV Shows” lists are widely referenced, as they represent collective opinions from millions of users worldwide.

IMDb also includes professional reviews, trivia, trailers, and news. It provides various tools, such as IMDbPro, a subscription service aimed at industry professionals that offers more in-depth data about projects, contacts, and industry trends. 

Is IMDb Safe?

Yes, IMDb is generally considered safe to use. 

It is a reputable and well-established platform owned by Amazon. 

IMDb’s privacy policy states that the company uses encryption protocols and software to protect users’ personal information during transmission. It also says it has physical, electronic, and procedural safeguards in place, but it does not describe these safeguards in detail.

While IMDb monitors its content, user reviews are not always moderated in real-time. Some reviews might contain spoilers, inappropriate language, or biased opinions.

IMDb is ad-supported, and although the site itself does not usually pose security risks, clicking on third-party ads could lead you to external sites that may not be as secure. Users can report any malicious ads they encounter.

No major data breaches were associated with IMDb at the time of writing.

Is IMDb safe to use?

Yes, IMDb is generally safe to use.  It’s a well-established website owned by Amazon and one of the most popular sources for information on movies, TV shows, actors, and industry news. 

However, moderation doesn’t always happen in real-time, so some reviews might have inappropriate language, spoilers, or biased opinions. 

There have been no data breaches associated with IMDb as of the time of writing. 

While IMDb is considered safe to use, it isn’t exactly private. IMDb can share some of your data with Amazon (its parent company) and third-party service providers (including advertisers). Targeted advertising helps IMDb keep its services free by showing ads that are more likely to be relevant to users. 

Is IMDb safe, according to Reddit?

There aren’t many discussions on Reddit on whether IMDb is safe or not. Instead, Redditors seem to focus on IMDb’s reliability. 

The general consensus on Reddit regarding IMDb’s reliability is that it’s a good research tool for learning about the cast and director(s) but shouldn’t be relied on for review scores. 

Many Redditors refer to when IMDb allegedly deleted negative reviews for ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power’ (produced by Amazon, which also owns IMDb). 

Is IMDb safe for Android?

Yes, IMDb is generally considered safe to use for Android.  

It is developed by IMDb, a subsidiary of Amazon, and can be downloaded from the official Google Play Store. Users can use the app to access a vast database of movies, TV shows, actors, and industry news directly from their Android devices.

Some things to keep in mind:

• Always download the IMDb app from the official Google Play Store rather than third-party sites to ensure you’re getting the legitimate application.
• When installing the IMDb app, review the permissions it wants access to to ensure they align with the app’s functionality and your comfort level. 
• IMDb collects user data to personalize content and advertisements. This includes tracking your viewing habits and preferences. You can adjust your ad settings within the IMDb app or your device to limit personalized advertising.
• Keep the IMDb app updated to the latest version to make sure you get security patches and new features.
• If you create an IMDb account or log in through the app, use a strong, unique password. 

Is IMDb Private?

Depends on your definition of “private,” but generally speaking, no.  

IMDb has been criticized for refusing to remove or alter personal information on individual profiles, such as full names, marital status, and credits, even when requested by the individuals concerned. 

Some individuals, including trans actors, say this puts them at risk of violence. 

In its Help Center, IMDb says that it “will not remove accurate information.”

When it comes to users, IMDb collects basic information, such as names, email addresses, and browsing activity, as outlined in their privacy policy. 

This data is used to enhance user experience by personalizing content, recommending movies or shows, and improving site functionality. The platform also collects data through cookies, which track user behavior on the site to improve services and deliver relevant ads.

IMDb gives users control over their profile visibility. Users can choose whether to make their ratings, lists, and reviews public or private. For professionals using IMDbPro, personal contact information can be managed and kept private from public view.

IMDb shares some data with its parent company, Amazon, and other third-party service providers (such as advertisers).

IMDb uses targeted advertising based on user data. While this helps keep the site free for users, some people may be concerned about the data used for ad personalization.

Terms of Service; Didn’t Read (ToS;DR), a project that rates internet services’ privacy policies and terms of services, gives IMDb a “Grade E.” This means “The terms of service raise very serious concerns.”

ToS;DR notes the following as potential concerns:

• The service can delete specific content without notice or reason.
• It may collect, use, and share location data.
• Third-party cookies are used for advertising.
• Many different types of personal data are collected.
• Users are tracked via web beacons and similar technologies.

On a more positive note, users can opt out of targeted advertising, third parties used by the service are bound by confidentiality obligations, and your personal data is not sold. 

How to improve your safety and privacy on IMDb

Follow the steps below for a more private and secure experience while using IMDb: 

• Make lists private. If you create movie or show lists (such as watchlists), you can set them to private so others cannot view them.
• Hide your ratings and reviews. You can choose whether your ratings and reviews are publicly visible or private in your account settings.
• Edit your profile visibility. Limit what others can see by customizing your profile settings, ensuring minimal personal information is publicly available.
• Disconnect social media accounts. If you’ve linked IMDb to social media, disconnect those accounts to prevent IMDb from accessing additional personal data.
• Opt out of personalized ads. Adjust IMDb’s cookie settings and your Amazon account preferences to reduce the use of personalized ads.
• Browse without logging in. Stay logged out when using IMDb to search for movies or read reviews, which limits the data IMDb can collect.
• Use a VPN. A Virtual Private Network (VPN) hides your IP address, providing additional privacy by preventing IMDb from tracking your location.
• Clear cookies and browser data. Regularly clear your cookies and browser cache to prevent IMDb from collecting long-term browsing data.
• Provide minimal personal information. When creating your IMDb account, only share essential details and avoid adding unnecessary biographical information.
• Unsubscribe from emails. To reduce tracking, unsubscribe from IMDb newsletters or promotional emails through your account settings.
• Review IMDb’s privacy policy. Familiarize yourself with the site’s policy to understand how your data is used and how to request or delete your personal information.