Location tracking can be a constant source of anxiety for many in the modern world. Most apps and mobile devices feature some form of location tracking. Sometimes location tracking is necessary to provide specific features or services, but it can breach your privacy. Follow the guide below to limit location tracking on your devices.
Disable Phone Tracking
Your first port of call should be to disable tracking on your phone. The simplest way to do this would be for you to disable ‘location services.’ The problem is that disabling these services prevents using GPS and other functions. Instead, you should use your phone’s permissions function to only allow tracking in specific apps.
Android:
Go to your settings menu and click on ‘Location.’
Select ‘App permissions.’
Select an app from the list to disable location tracking, and click the circle near ‘Deny.’
You should review your list of apps and remove permission from all the apps you can. You should be aware your phone may still send location data to your service provider or phone creator, depending on your user agreement. To ensure your safety, you should find a copy of your user agreement and read any privacy and data-sharing sections.
iOS
As with Android, the quickest option is to disable location services from your settings menu. You will lose access to map functions and the ability to play certain games, such as Pokemon Go.
In your iPhone’s privacy menu, you can use the green switch at the top of the screen to disable location tracking altogether. The app list at the bottom of the screen will allow you to disable location tracking for specific apps and services.
WiFi Location Tracking
Phone location services aren’t the only way companies can track your location. WiFi hotspots in your home and public hubs can report your approximate location to sites and apps.
The only way to prevent this tracking is to stay off the internet or use a VPN to mask your identity and location. You should be aware that if you use a VPN, they can still access your location, even if they promise not to save it.
Other Kinds of Location Tracking
Once you’ve disabled location tracking through your phone and social media accounts, there are a few other methods you need to be aware of.
You should avoid making posts that reveal your exact location. Your social media posts’ contents are at least known to the social media group themselves, even if they’re set to private or friends only.
Social media posts may automatically record your location if you still use location services on your phone.
If you’re worried about your personal security, order a comprehensive security audit here.
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