HOW TO STOP APPS FROM TRACKING YOUR LOCATION?

In the present time, a lot of applications include tracking the users' geography to improve the services offered to users or offer advertising that meets their social needs. While these functions can be beneficial, they also raise the issue of privacy invasion, as information of such a nature can breach one's travel and behavioral privacy. Here’s what you need to do to prevent the apps on your phone from tracking your location.

Understand Why Apps Track Your Location

Many apps request access to your location data to provide relevant services, such as maps offering directions or weather apps showing local forecasts. However, not all apps need this information to function properly. Social media platforms, e-commerce apps, and others might use location tracking for personalized ads or analytics data collection.

Review and Restrict Location Permissions on Your Devices

For iOS Devices:

- Open Settings: Navigate to the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.

- Go to Privacy & Security: Scroll down and tap on Privacy & Security.

- Select Location Services: Tap on Location Services to see a list of apps that have requested location access.

- Adjust Permissions: For each app, you can choose between Never, Ask Next Time, While Using the App, or Always. Select Never for apps that don’t need location access.

For Android Devices:

- Open Settings: Access the Settings app on your Android device.

- Go to Location: Tap on Location and then App Permissions or App Location Permissions.

- Manage Permissions: You will see a list of apps with their location access status. Choose between Allow all the time, Allow only while using the app, Ask every time, or Don’t allow based on your preferences.

Disable Location Tracking in Specific Apps

Certain apps may have built-in settings for location tracking. Here’s how to disable these settings:

- Social Media Apps: Go into the app’s settings and look for privacy or location settings. For example, in Facebook, navigate to Settings & Privacy > Privacy Shortcuts > Manage Your Location Settings.

- Weather Apps: Most weather apps track your location to provide real-time updates. If you don’t want this, manually enter your location instead of allowing automatic tracking.

Turn Off Location History

Both Google and Apple collect location history data if enabled. Disabling this setting will prevent these tech giants from keeping a record of your past locations.

- For Google:

- Visit Your Google Account: Go to myaccount.google.com and log in.

- Go to Data & Privacy: Navigate to Data & Privacy > Location History.

- Turn Off Location History: Toggle the switch to turn off location history for your Google account.

- For Apple:

- Open Settings: Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services > System Services > Significant Locations.

- Disable Significant Locations: Turn off this setting to stop Apple from tracking your frequently visited locations.

Use VPNs and Privacy-Focused Browsers

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) hides your IP address, making it harder for apps and websites to track your location. Additionally, using privacy-focused browsers like Brave or Firefox can prevent websites from tracking your location without permission.

- Choose a Reliable VPN: Select a reputable VPN service provider with a strict no-logs policy.

- Use Privacy Browsers: Install a browser that prioritizes privacy, and regularly clear cookies and cache to minimize location tracking.

Disable Bluetooth and Wi-Fi Scanning

Many apps can track your location by scanning for nearby Wi-Fi networks or Bluetooth devices, even if location services are turned off.

- On iOS: Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services > System Services and toggle off Bluetooth Scanning and Wi-Fi Networking.

- On Android: Go to Settings > Location > Wi-Fi and Bluetooth scanning and disable both options.

Regularly Review Your Privacy Settings

Make it a habit to periodically review your privacy settings on all your devices. Software updates can change settings or add new features, so it’s essential to stay vigilant.

- Audit Installed Apps: Regularly check which apps have access to your location and revoke permissions as necessary.

- Check for Updates: Install updates for both your operating system and apps to ensure you have the latest security patches and privacy settings.

Monitor Battery Usage and Data Activity

Apps that constantly track your location will consume more battery and data. Monitoring these can help you identify apps that might be tracking you in the background.

- Check Battery Usage: Go to your device’s settings to see which apps are using the most battery.

- Monitor Data Usage: Review data usage in your settings to spot any unusual activity.

By following these steps, you can significantly reduce the amount of location data that apps collect from your device. Taking control of your privacy settings ensures that your personal information remains secure and helps you maintain greater control over who has access to your location.