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Is Pinterest safe to use?

Safe

Yes. Pinterest is one of the lower-risk social apps, though fake shops appear in shopping pins.

Checked October 2026

Quick facts

Owned by
Pinterest Inc.
Based in
San Francisco, USA
Encryption
Standard encryption in transit.
Data it collects
Pins, searches, device data and ad interactions.
Minimum age
13+

What keeps you safe

  • Teen accounts are private by default.
  • Little contact with strangers compared with other social apps.

Risks to know about

  • Shopping pins sometimes lead to fake stores.

Scams to watch for on Pinterest

  • Fake stores selling knock-offs or nothing at all.

Is Pinterest legit?

Pinterest is legit and publicly listed.

Is it safe for kids?

Teen accounts are private and can't receive messages from strangers.

How to use Pinterest safely

  1. Check store reviews before buying from a pin.

  2. Turn on two-factor authentication.

Where Pinterest is restricted

Does a VPN make Pinterest safer?

Partly. A VPN hides your IP address and protects you on public Wi-Fi. It can't stop Pinterest collecting data or scammers messaging you.

Picked for privacy and getting messages through.

Proton VPN

Swiss-based with open-source apps and a free tier, plus a Stealth protocol for restrictive networks.

For strict networks: the Stealth protocol.

Try Proton VPN

Private Internet Access

Open-source apps, unlimited devices and servers in every US state, at a low price.

For strict networks: the Shadowsocks proxy option.

Try Private Internet Access

ExpressVPN

Obfuscation is switched on automatically on every server, so there is no special mode to find.

For strict networks: automatic obfuscation (protocol set to Automatic).

Try ExpressVPN
Not sure about these three? See 3 more VPNs NordVPN, Surfshark and CyberGhost

NordVPN

Largest network of the six, with the NordWhisper protocol for networks that inspect traffic.

For strict networks: NordWhisper or obfuscated servers.

Try NordVPN

Surfshark

Unlimited devices on one plan, with NoBorders mode that switches on in restrictive regions.

For strict networks: NoBorders mode.

Try Surfshark

CyberGhost

Servers labelled for specific streaming services and a 45-day refund window on longer plans.

For strict networks: a nearby server (CyberGhost has no stealth mode).

Try CyberGhost

We earn a commission if you buy a VPN through our links. It never changes what we report as blocked. How we pick and how we make money

Questions people ask

Is Pinterest safe to use?

Yes. Pinterest is one of the lower-risk social apps, though fake shops appear in shopping pins.

Is Pinterest legit?

Pinterest is legit and publicly listed.

Is Pinterest encrypted?

Standard encryption in transit.

What data does Pinterest collect?

Pins, searches, device data and ad interactions.

Is Pinterest safe for kids?

Teen accounts are private and can't receive messages from strangers.

Does a VPN make Pinterest safer?

Partly. A VPN hides your IP address and encrypts traffic on public Wi-Fi, so your network and ISP can't see what you do on Pinterest. It does not stop Pinterest itself from collecting data, and it does not protect you from scams inside the app.

Sources