How to Stop Your Phone From Tracking You: A Complete Privacy Guide

Have you ever mentioned a product out loud and then seen ads for it minutes later? That’s not a coincidence. Your phone is listening, watching, and tracking more than you think. GPS pings, app permissions, advertising IDs, browsing cookies, Wi-Fi scans, and social media platforms all work together to build a detailed profile of your habits, location, and interests.

The good news: you can fight back. In this guide, we’ll cover how to tell if your phone is being tracked, the different methods your phone uses to track you, 10 practical ways to prevent phone tracking on both iPhone and Android, which privacy tools are worth using, and why this matters even more if you’re a business owner. App developers and mobile apps collect location data for analytics, advertising, and functionality, but that doesn’t mean you have to accept it. Let’s shut it down.

Table of Contents

• How to Tell If Your Phone Is Being Tracked
• Understanding Phone Tracking Methods
• 10 Ways to Prevent Phone Tracking
• Using a Burner Phone for Privacy
• Privacy Tools Worth Using
• Why Is Phone Tracking Dangerous?
• Why This Matters for Business Owners
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Take Action Now

How to Tell If Your Phone Is Being Tracked

Before you start changing settings, it helps to know whether something suspicious is already happening on your device. Phone tracking isn’t always obvious, and spyware and rogue apps are designed to stay hidden. However, there are telltale signs your phone is being tracked that you can spot if you know what to look for.

Unusual battery drain. Tracking software runs in the background and consumes power. If your battery has started dying significantly faster than usual without a change in your usage habits, a hidden app may be transmitting data. Both iPhone users and Android device owners can check battery health and recent activity to spot issues with battery drain that might indicate spyware.

Spikes in data usage. Open your phone’s data usage settings (iPhone: Settings > Cellular; Android: Settings > Network & Internet > Data Usage) and look for apps consuming far more data than expected. Tracking apps constantly send information to remote servers, which shows up as unexplained data consumption. If you notice the location icon appearing frequently alongside high data usage from apps you don’t recognize, that’s an even stronger signal that something is reporting your activity without your knowledge.

Your phone runs hot for no reason. A phone that’s warm to the touch when you’re not actively using it could indicate background processes, including tracking software, are running nonstop.

Unfamiliar apps you didn’t install. Scroll through your full app list regularly. Tracking apps are often disguised as harmless utilities like flashlights, calculators, or weather widgets. If you see something you don’t recognize and didn’t install, look it up. If it looks suspicious, delete it. Device manufacturers sometimes include diagnostic tools that can help you identify suspicious or unwanted software on your device.

Random permission prompts or status icons. If your camera, microphone, or location icon appears in the status bar when you’re not using any app that requires them, something may be accessing those sensors without your knowledge. On iPhone, the orange dot (microphone) and green dot (camera) indicators were added specifically to flag this. Android’s Privacy Dashboard shows which apps accessed your camera, microphone, or location in the last 24 hours.

Strange text messages or notifications. Some older spyware communicates through coded SMS messages. If you receive texts with random strings of numbers or characters, it could be a command-and-control signal for tracking software on your device. Some tracking methods can also detect nearby devices using Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, which may trigger unexpected notifications or Bluetooth activity.

If multiple signs show up at once, especially battery drain combined with data spikes and overheating, take action immediately using the steps below.

Understanding Phone Tracking Methods

Your phone doesn’t rely on a single technology to determine where you are. It uses several, often simultaneously. Understanding how each method works helps you make smarter decisions about which settings to change and why each of the prevention steps below matters.

GPS (Global Positioning System). Your phone receives signals from orbiting GPS satellites to calculate your precise location, typically accurate within a few meters. This is the most accurate tracking method and the one powering navigation apps, geotagged photos, and location-based services. GPS is a receive-only signal, meaning your phone listens to satellites but doesn’t broadcast back to them, which is why GPS can still function in airplane mode on some devices.

Cell tower triangulation. Even when GPS is off, cell providers and network providers can estimate your location by measuring the signal strength between your phone and multiple nearby cell towers. The more towers in range, the more accurate the estimate. In dense urban areas, this can narrow your position to within a few hundred meters. In rural areas with fewer towers, it’s less precise but still effective enough to track general movement patterns.

Wi-Fi network fingerprinting. Your phone constantly scans for nearby Wi-Fi networks, even when it’s not connected to one. Each network has a unique identifier, and databases maintained by companies like Google and Apple map those identifiers to physical locations. When your phone sees a known network, it can estimate where you are without using GPS at all. Retailers, airports, and data brokers also use Wi-Fi probe requests, the signals your phone sends when searching for networks, to track foot traffic and movement patterns.

Bluetooth beacons. Similar to Wi-Fi scanning, your phone’s Bluetooth radio detects nearby Bluetooth devices and beacons. Retailers use Bluetooth beacons to track customers moving through stores, and location-tracking accessories like AirTags and Tile use Bluetooth networks to report the location of tagged items, or in some cases, to track people without their knowledge.

Advertising ID cross-app tracking. Your phone assigns a unique advertising identifier (IDFA on iPhone, AAID on Android) that follows your activity across every app and website. This doesn’t track your physical location directly, but it allows data brokers to correlate your in-app behavior, browsing habits, and purchase history into a single profile. Combined with location data from any one app that has GPS access, your advertising ID can tie your entire digital life to your real-world movements.

Browser cookies and device fingerprinting. Websites drop tracking cookies that follow your browsing activity, while fingerprinting techniques identify your device based on its unique combination of browser settings, screen resolution, installed fonts, and other technical characteristics. Together, these methods allow advertisers and data brokers to track you across the web even without an advertising ID.

Each of these methods captures a different piece of the puzzle. Individually, they reveal fragments, but combined, they create a comprehensive picture of where you go, what you do, and who you are. The 10 steps below target each of these methods specifically.

10 Ways to Prevent Phone Tracking

1. Turn Off Location Services (or Limit Them Per App)

Your phone’s GPS and location services track your whereabouts in real time, recording where you go and how long you stay. Using “Frequent Locations” (iPhone) or “Location History” (Android), your phone makes assumptions about where you work and live based on your patterns. While helpful for navigation, constant tracking reveals your movement patterns and leaves you vulnerable to email-based hacking techniques. Adjusting location permissions for each app is crucial to prevent unauthorized access to your phone’s location and protect your privacy.

Turning off location services entirely is the most effective step, but it will break navigation apps and weather services. A better approach for most people is to limit location access on a per-app basis. Only grant “While Using” access to apps that genuinely need it (maps, ride-sharing), and set everything else to “Never.” Managing app permissions through your phone settings helps you control which apps can access sensitive features like your phone’s location.

iPhone: Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services. You can toggle off Location Services entirely, or tap Location Services, then tap each app individually and choose Never, Ask Next Time, or While Using the App. Also go to System Services > Significant Locations to view and clear your location history.

Android: Go to Settings > Location > App Permissions. In your phone settings, you can manage app permissions for location access by setting each app to Don’t allow, Ask every time, or Allow only while using the app. To delete your stored location history, go to Settings > Location > Location History > Delete Location History.

2. Audit and Restrict App Permissions

Many apps request access to your contacts, photos, microphone, and camera, even when those permissions have nothing to do with what the app does. A flashlight app doesn’t need your contacts. A game doesn’t need your microphone. These excessive permissions allow apps to track your activity, collect data in the background, and sell it to third parties.

You should review your permissions regularly, at least once a month, because app updates can sometimes re-request permissions you previously denied. Be aware that some malicious apps can track users’ locations even when not in use, which can lead to privacy risks. Some legitimate apps, such as parental control apps, may require location access for proper functionality, so always review their privacy policies and consent requirements before granting permissions.

iPhone: Go to Settings > Privacy & Security. Check categories like Camera, Microphone, Contacts, Photos, and Bluetooth to review and adjust which apps have access. Pay special attention to Settings > Privacy & Security > App Privacy Report (iOS 15+), which shows exactly which apps accessed your data and how often over the last 7 days.

Android: Go to Settings > Privacy > Permission Manager. Review each permission category and remove access from apps that don’t need it. On Android 12+, the Privacy Dashboard gives you a timeline of which apps accessed your location, camera, and microphone in the last 24 hours. Android device owners should also be cautious about sideloaded apps, which are apps installed from outside the Google Play Store. These bypass Google’s security screening and are far more likely to contain hidden tracking capabilities. If you’ve installed APK files from third-party sources, audit those apps first.

3. Disable Ad Tracking and Delete Your Advertising ID

Your phone assigns you a unique advertising identifier, called the IDFA on iPhone and AAID on Android, that companies use to track your behavior across apps and websites. This ID follows your activity everywhere, letting advertisers build a profile of your interests, habits, and purchasing patterns. According to the Electronic Frontier Foundation, disabling your ad ID is one of the single most effective steps you can take to limit third-party tracking on your phone.

Disabling this setting won’t eliminate ads. You’ll still see them. But the ads won’t be personalized based on your tracked behavior, which means far less of your data is being collected and sold.

iPhone: Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Tracking and toggle off Allow Apps to Request to Track. This prevents apps from accessing your IDFA entirely. Also go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Apple Advertising and toggle off Personalized Ads to disable Apple’s own ad targeting.

Android: Go to Settings > Privacy > Ads and tap Delete Advertising ID. On Android 12+, this permanently removes your ad identifier. On older versions, toggle on Opt Out of Ads Personalization and tap Reset Advertising ID. You may also need to go to Settings > Google > Ads depending on your device manufacturer.

4. Disable Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Scanning

Your phone constantly scans for Wi-Fi networks and Bluetooth devices, even when you’re not connected to anything. This scanning allows third parties, including retailers, airports, and data brokers, to track your physical location based on the networks and devices your phone discovers. Mapping apps can also use wireless connections, such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, to estimate your location even if GPS is off. This is especially risky on unsecured public Wi-Fi networks, where attackers can intercept data or track your device’s unique identifier.

iPhone: Go to Settings > Wi-Fi and toggle it off when you’re not using it. Do the same for Bluetooth under Settings > Bluetooth. Note: using Control Center to toggle off Wi-Fi and Bluetooth only disconnects you from the current network. It doesn’t stop background scanning. You must turn them off in Settings for full protection.

Android: Go to Settings > Location > Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Scanning and disable both options. This prevents your phone from using Wi-Fi and Bluetooth signals to estimate your location even when those connections are turned off.

5. Use a Privacy-Focused Browser and Search Engine

Your web browser and search engine monitor your search history, the sites you visit, how long you stay, and what you click. This data feeds into advertising profiles and can be sold to data brokers. Google Chrome, the most popular mobile browser, is particularly aggressive about data collection tied to your Google account.

Switching to a privacy-focused browser significantly reduces this tracking. Strong options include:

• Brave, which blocks ads and trackers by default
• Firefox Focus, which auto-erases your session when you close it
• DuckDuckGo’s browser, which prevents cross-site tracking
• Onion Browser (iOS) or Tor Browser (Android), which route your traffic through encrypted relays that mask your IP address entirely

For search engines, DuckDuckGo, Startpage, and Brave Search don’t track your queries or build advertising profiles. Switching your default search engine takes 30 seconds and eliminates one of the largest sources of behavioral data collection on your phone.

6. Lock Down Social Media and Google Privacy Settings

Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Google track your online interactions, searches, and location to create extremely detailed profiles of your habits and interests. Social media apps location tracking privacy concerns continue to grow as these platforms collect location information, browsing data, and other personal details that can be shared with advertisers or third-party partners.

Social media: Go to each platform’s settings and restrict data collection. On Facebook, go to Settings & Privacy > Privacy Shortcuts > Manage Your Ad Preferences and disable as much as possible. On Instagram, go to Settings > Privacy > Activity Status and turn it off. Review what data each platform has collected on you. Most platforms let you download your data archive, and the results are often eye-opening.

Google: Go to Google Account > Data & Privacy > Web & App Activity and pause it or set it to auto-delete after 3 months. Do the same for Location History and YouTube History. Go to Ad Settings and turn off ad personalization. If you use Google Maps, review and delete your Timeline data at maps.google.com/timeline.

7. Keep Your Operating System and Apps Updated

Software updates aren’t just about new features. They patch security vulnerabilities that hackers and spyware exploit to install tracking software on your device. Regular updates are essential for smartphone security and help protect against tracking threats. Running outdated software is one of the most common ways phones get compromised.

iPhone: Go to Settings > General > Software Update. Enable Automatic Updates so your phone installs security patches as soon as they’re available.

Android: Go to Settings > System > Software Update (path varies by manufacturer). Also update apps regularly through the Google Play Store > Profile icon > Manage Apps & Devices > Update All. Keep in mind that Android’s update landscape is fragmented. Some manufacturers push security patches months after Google releases them, and older devices may stop receiving updates entirely. If your phone hasn’t received a security patch in more than 90 days, consider whether it’s time to upgrade.

8. Use Airplane Mode When You Don’t Need Connectivity

Airplane mode cuts off cellular data, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and your internet connection in one tap, stopping most active tracking methods instantly. Your phone can’t communicate with cell towers, connect to networks, broadcast Bluetooth signals, or access the internet while in airplane mode.

The trade-off is obvious: you can’t make calls, send texts, or use the internet. But for situations where you want to ensure you’re not being tracked, whether during a sensitive business meeting, while traveling through an unfamiliar area, or anytime you want a clean break from surveillance, airplane mode is the fastest solution.

Note: GPS may still function in airplane mode on some devices, since it’s a receive-only signal. Devices can sometimes be located using GPS satellite data even without an active internet connection. To be thorough, also disable Location Services separately.

iPhone: Swipe down from the top-right corner and tap the airplane icon, or go to Settings > Airplane Mode.

Android: Swipe down from the top of the screen and tap the airplane icon, or go to Settings > Network & Internet > Airplane Mode.

9. Review Connected Accounts and Remove Unrecognized Devices

Someone with access to your Apple ID or Google account credentials can track your location through another device signed into your account, without ever touching your phone. These account features are designed to help recover lost devices, such as using Find My Device or legitimate tracking apps, but they can be exploited for unauthorized tracking. This is one of the most overlooked tracking vectors, particularly for people who’ve recently ended relationships or left shared business accounts open.

iPhone: Go to Settings > [your name] and scroll down to see every device signed into your Apple ID. Tap any device you don’t recognize and select Remove from Account. Also check Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services > Share My Location to see if Find My is sharing your location with anyone.

Android: Go to Google Account > Security > Your Devices and review the list. Sign out of any devices you don’t recognize. Check Google Account > People & Sharing > Location Sharing to see if your location is being shared.

10. Scan for and Remove Tracking Software

If you suspect your phone has been compromised, because you’re seeing multiple warning signs from the detection section above, you need to remove tracker apps from your phone and scan for other malicious software installed.

iPhone: iOS is relatively locked down, making spyware harder to install. However, if someone had physical access to your phone, they may have installed a monitoring profile. Go to Settings > General > VPN & Device Management and look for any profiles you didn’t install. Remove them. For high-risk situations, Apple’s Lockdown Mode (Settings > Privacy & Security > Lockdown Mode) restricts many attack surfaces.

Android: Use Google Play Protect (Google Play Store > Profile icon > Play Protect > Scan) to check for harmful apps. Additionally, go to Settings > Apps and sort by recently installed, then look for anything unfamiliar. Checking for unknown or suspicious software installed is especially important for Android device users, as Android devices are more susceptible to unauthorized tracking apps. If you find suspicious apps, uninstall them and run another scan.

Factory reset as a last resort: If you’ve tried everything and still suspect tracking, a factory reset wipes your phone completely. Back up your essential data first, then reset (iPhone: Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings; Android: Settings > System > Reset > Factory Data Reset). After resetting, set up your device with a new Apple ID or Google account if you believe the old one was compromised. Only reinstall apps from official stores, and use a strong, unique password for every account.

One important caveat: a factory reset eliminates most tracking software, but some advanced spyware can persist at the system level, particularly on rooted or jailbroken devices. Cell site simulators (also known as stingrays) can also track your phone’s connection to cellular networks regardless of a reset, since they mimic legitimate cell towers. If you perform a factory reset and continue to notice suspicious activity, it may be time to replace the device entirely or seek professional help to fully secure your setup.

Using a Burner Phone for Privacy

If you need to keep specific communications completely separate from your primary device, a burner phone is a practical option. A burner phone is a temporary, inexpensive prepaid device used for situations where you don’t want activity linked to your main phone or your identity.

When it makes sense:

• High-risk business travel, such as visiting countries with aggressive digital surveillance
• Sensitive transactions, where you want communications isolated from your primary accounts
• Whistleblowing or source protection, where journalists and sources need to communicate without creating a trail back to their primary devices
• Suspected compromise, where you believe your main phone is being tracked and need a clean device while you investigate

How to do it right:

• Buy with cash at a retail store, not online, where the purchase ties to your identity
• Choose a cheap prepaid phone with a prepaid SIM card purchased at the same time
• Never connect it to your home or office Wi-Fi. Use it on cellular only, or on public networks away from your usual locations
• Don’t sign into any personal accounts. No Google, no Apple ID, no email, no social media
• Power it off and remove the SIM when not in use to prevent passive tracking through cell tower connections

A burner phone isn’t foolproof. Any phone that connects to a cellular network can be tracked through cell towers. But when used correctly, it creates a strong layer of separation between your identity and your communications in situations where that separation matters.

Privacy Tools Worth Using

Beyond changing settings on your phone, a few categories of tools can add meaningful layers of protection:

Privacy-focused browsers: Brave, Firefox Focus, and DuckDuckGo Browser all block trackers by default and don’t collect your browsing history. They’re free and take seconds to install.

Private search engines: DuckDuckGo, Startpage, and Brave Search don’t track your queries or build advertising profiles. Set one as your default search engine in your browser settings.

VPNs (Virtual Private Networks): A VPN encrypts your internet traffic and hides your IP address from websites, your internet service provider, and anyone else monitoring your connection. This doesn’t prevent all tracking (apps can still track you through other methods), but it’s an important layer, especially on public Wi-Fi. Look for a reputable, paid VPN provider with a no-logs policy. Free VPNs often fund themselves by selling the very data you’re trying to protect.

Built-in security scanners: Google Play Protect (Android) and Apple’s built-in malware protections (iOS) catch most known threats. Keep them enabled and run scans regularly.

The goal isn’t to install a dozen security apps. That can actually make things worse by expanding your attack surface. Pick one good browser, one search engine, and optionally a VPN, and you’ll be ahead of 90% of phone users.

Why Is Phone Tracking Dangerous?

Most people assume phone tracking is just about annoying ads. It’s much bigger than that. The collected data is valuable to internet marketers, who use it to target you with the local and interest-based ads you’re most likely to respond to. This digital surveillance is largely legal in the United States, where most privacy laws allow data collection by default as long as companies provide consumers the ability to opt out. But marketing executives aren’t the only ones interested in your data. Cybercriminals are too.

The risks go well beyond targeted advertising:

• Privacy invasion. Phone tracking allows apps, websites, and third parties to collect extensive information about your location, habits, and behaviors without your full awareness. This constant surveillance can lead to targeted advertising, data harvesting, and even malicious tracking for more harmful purposes.
• Identity theft and fraud. If your tracking data falls into the wrong hands through a data breach, hacking, or malware, it can be used to piece together personal details and daily patterns. Criminals can use this information to commit identity theft, financial fraud, or gain unauthorized access to sensitive accounts.
• Physical security risks. Real-time location data can expose you to stalking, burglary, and physical threats. Bad actors who know your daily patterns, such as when you leave for work, when your house is empty, and what routes you take, can exploit that information. Publicizing your movements through social media check-ins or shared location features makes this even easier.
• Data breaches at scale. Even if you trust the companies collecting your data, they can be breached. When a data broker or social media platform suffers a major data breach, millions of users’ location histories, browsing habits, and personal details can end up on the dark web overnight.

Why This Matters for Business Owners

If you’re running a business, the stakes are exponentially higher. The same tracking methods that follow your personal activity can also expose your company to serious risks. Consider what’s on your phone right now: client communications, financial data, proprietary business plans, employee records, and access to company accounts. Every one of those is a target.

Hackers, cybercriminals, and even competitors can exploit phone tracking vulnerabilities to gather intelligence about your business activities, customer interactions, and confidential communications. A compromised phone doesn’t just put you at risk. It can be the entry point for a broader attack on your entire network. For Chicago-area businesses, partnering with a cybersecurity services provider ensures threats like these are identified and contained before they spread across your infrastructure.

For employees using personal devices for work (BYOD), the tracking risks multiply. An employee’s compromised personal phone can leak company data, client information, and internal communications. If your company allows personal devices to access business systems, you need a mobile device management policy that addresses tracking and privacy settings as baseline security requirements.

By taking steps to limit how your phone tracks you and adjusting your privacy settings, you’re not just protecting yourself. You’re safeguarding your business from potential data breaches, identity theft, and targeted cyber-attacks. Cybersecurity isn’t just a technical issue; it’s a strategic one, and staying ahead of threats starts with being informed and proactive. If you’re unsure what the right investment into cybersecurity looks like for your organization, we break that down in a separate guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I stop my phone from tracking me?

The most effective approach is a combination of steps. No single setting handles everything, but layering multiple phone tracking prevention methods together makes a massive difference. Since there are multiple ways someone can track your phone, including through apps, network signals, and even malicious spyware, a layered approach is necessary. Turn off location services (or limit them per app), disable your advertising ID, restrict app permissions, and use a privacy-focused browser. Combining these changes significantly reduces how much data your phone collects and shares.

How do I stop ad tracking on my phone?

On iPhone, go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Tracking and toggle off “Allow Apps to Request to Track.” On Android, go to Settings > Privacy > Ads and tap “Delete Advertising ID.” This prevents apps from using your unique advertising identifier to build a profile of your behavior across apps and websites.

Can apps track me even when I’m not using them?

Yes. Many apps continue collecting data in the background, including your location, contacts, and browsing activity, unless you explicitly revoke their permissions. Some apps can track users’ locations even when not actively used, which can lead to increased battery drain and overheating. Review your app permissions regularly and set location access to “While Using” or “Never” for apps that don’t need constant access.

Is my phone listening to my conversations?

Apps with microphone permissions can technically access your microphone, but there’s no confirmed evidence that major platforms like Facebook or Google passively record conversations for ad targeting. What they do is analyze your searches, location, purchases, and browsing behavior, which is often enough to serve eerily accurate ads without listening. To be safe, revoke microphone access from any app that doesn’t need it.

Can someone track my phone if it’s turned off?

Generally, no. When your phone is completely powered off, it stops sending signals to cell towers, Wi-Fi, and GPS satellites. However, some devices store the last known location before shutting down, and advanced surveillance tools may have limited capabilities even on a powered-down device. If you’re seriously concerned, removing the battery (if possible) or using a Faraday bag provides the most complete protection.

What does “Allow Apps to Request to Track” mean on iPhone?

This is Apple’s App Tracking Transparency (ATT) feature, introduced in iOS 14.5. When enabled, apps must ask your permission before tracking your activity across other companies’ apps and websites. iPhone users benefit from this feature, as it allows them to monitor and manage privacy settings and app permissions more easily. If you toggle it off, all apps are automatically denied tracking access, with no pop-ups and no decisions to make. This is the recommended setting for maximum privacy.

Are phone trackers dangerous?

They can be. At minimum, trackers enable invasive advertising and data harvesting. At worst, tracking data in the wrong hands can lead to identity theft, financial fraud, stalking, and physical security threats. Smartphone users are especially at risk from advanced tracking technologies, such as cell site simulators or stingrays, which can mimic legitimate cell towers and trick devices into connecting, allowing attackers to gather location data and other personal information. The danger increases significantly for business owners, whose phones often contain sensitive company data, client information, and access to financial accounts.

How do I remove a tracker from my phone?

To remove a tracker from your phone, start by checking your installed apps for anything unfamiliar. Tracking apps are often disguised as basic utilities. On Android, run a Google Play Protect scan. On iPhone, check Settings > General > VPN & Device Management for unauthorized profiles. If you suspect serious compromise, a factory reset is the most reliable solution. Back up essential data first, then reset and set up your device fresh with new account credentials.

How do I stop Temu and other spam ads on my phone?

Disable your advertising ID (see the ad tracking section above), which prevents apps from targeting you with personalized ads. For persistent pop-up ads, check your installed apps for adware. Recently installed free apps are the most common culprit. Clear your browser cookies and cache, and switch to a browser with built-in ad blocking like Brave or Firefox Focus.

How do I stop social media apps from tracking me?

Go into each platform’s privacy settings and restrict data collection. Social media apps location tracking privacy concerns are a major issue, so it’s important to adjust your privacy settings to limit what data is shared. On Facebook: Settings & Privacy > Privacy Shortcuts > Manage Your Ad Preferences. On Instagram: Settings > Privacy > Activity Status (turn off). On Google: Account > Data & Privacy > Web & App Activity (pause or auto-delete). Also disable location access for social media apps entirely. They almost never need it.

Take Action Now

If you’re concerned about your business’s overall security, don’t wait for a breach to force your hand. Schedule a FREE Security Risk Assessment with our team today, and we’ll evaluate your entire network, including mobile device policies, for vulnerabilities. Our experts will identify risks and recommend tailored solutions to keep your business protected. Book your free security risk assessment or call us at 815-788-6041.

LeadingIT is a cyber-resilient technology and Chicago managed IT services provider. With our concierge support model, we provide customized solutions to meet the unique needs of nonprofits, schools, manufacturers, accounting firms, government agencies, and law offices with 20–200 employees in the Chicagoland area. Our team of experts solves the unsolvable while helping our clients leverage technology to achieve their business goals, ensuring the highest level of security and reliability.