Have you ever discussed a product near your phone, only to see ads for it later? Your phone is likely listening. But that’s not the only concern—it’s also tracking you. From the phone itself to the apps you download, there are several ways your device collects and shares your location data.
In this article, we’ll explore why this tracking is dangerous, the six key ways your phone is spying on you, and how to protect your privacy.
Why Is Phone Tracking Dangerous?
The data collected from your phone is valuable to marketers, but it can also be exploited by cybercriminals. Here’s why allowing your phone to track you is risky:
- Privacy Invasion: Apps and websites gather detailed information about your location and behavior without your full consent, potentially compromising your privacy.
- Identity Theft & Fraud: Hackers could use this data to commit identity theft, financial fraud, or gain unauthorized access to your accounts.
- Physical Security Risks: Real-time location data can expose you to dangers like stalking or harassment. Criminals may track your movements, compromising your safety.
Now, let’s explore the six ways your phone is tracking you and how to stop it.
1. Location Services
Your phone’s GPS tracks your movements in real time. This data is used for navigation but also reveals patterns, like where you live and work. Apple and Android allow you to disable this feature.
How to turn it off:
- iPhone: Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services. Toggle off Location Services or manage individual app permissions. Scroll down to System Services. Select Significant Locations to see the logged record of where you’ve been and toggle it off. You can also clear your history by clicking Clear History.
- Android: Go to Settings > Location > App Permissions, and either disable location tracking for specific apps or turn off Use Location entirely. To delete your device’s location history, tap Delete Location History at the bottom of the screen under Location History.
2. App Permissions
Apps often request access to your camera, microphone, and contacts, tracking your activities even when not in use. It’s essential to review and adjust app permissions.
How to turn it off:
- iPhone: Go to Settings > Privacy & Security, then manage permissions for features like Camera and Microphone.
- Android: Go to Settings > Apps > Permissions to control app access to your personal data.
3. Wi-Fi & Bluetooth Connections
Your phone constantly scans for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth networks, allowing third parties to track your location through connected devices.
How to turn it off:
- iPhone: Swipe down from the top-right to disable Wi-Fi and Bluetooth or go to Settings > Wi-Fi & Bluetooth for full control.
- Android: Go to Settings > Location > Wi-Fi & Bluetooth scanning and turn off these options.
4. Browsing Activity
Browsers and apps track your search history and visited websites, creating profiles of your behavior for targeted ads.
How to turn it off:
- iPhone & Android: Use private or incognito mode in browsers. In Google Chrome, navigate to Settings > Privacy & Security and disable Web & App Activity. Regularly clear cookies and browsing history.
5. Ad Tracking
Phones assign an advertising ID to track your activities across apps and websites. This ID provides companies with insights into your behavior for personalized ads.
How to turn it off:
- iPhone: Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Tracking and toggle off Allow Apps to Request to Track. Also, go to Apple Advertising to disable personalized ads.
- Android: Go to Settings > Privacy > Ads and opt out of personalized ads.
6. Social Media & Search Engines
Platforms like Facebook and Google track your interactions, searches, and locations to create detailed profiles of your habits.
How to turn it off:
- Social Media: Review data collection and ad preferences in settings (e.g., Facebook > Settings & Privacy).
- Google: Go to Google Account > Data & Privacy > Web & App Activity to control search and browsing tracking.
Why This Matters for Business Owners
Just as your personal data can be exposed, your business data is at risk too. Hackers and competitors could use tracking vulnerabilities to access sensitive business information. Taking steps to limit your phone’s tracking isn’t just about personal security—it’s also crucial for protecting your business.
If you’re concerned about your company’s security, schedule a FREE Security Risk Assessment with us today. Our team will identify vulnerabilities and provide solutions to keep your business safe. Call us at 717-914-0102 or click here to get started!