Smartphones have become an integral part of our lives, but they also come with a problem that many people are unaware of. Many mobile apps not only see your location when you’re using them, but can also continuously monitor your activities in the background. This not only exposes companies to your personal information but can also increase battery and mobile data consumption. Fortunately, you can control this tracking in just a few minutes by changing a few simple settings.
Location access is essential for some apps. For example, map apps require location to show directions, cab booking apps require location to determine pickup locations, and weather apps require location information.
However, many social media, shopping, and advertising-based apps also collect location data. This data allows companies to analyze your travel habits, favorite places, and purchasing behavior. This information is then used to display targeted advertisements.
If you use an Android smartphone, first go to Settings and open the Location section. Here, you’ll find the App Location Permissions option, where you can see which apps are accessing your location.
For apps that don’t require constant location access, set their permissions to “Only While Using the App” or disable them completely. You can also view the Privacy Dashboard to see which apps have accessed your location recently.
iPhone users should go to Settings and open the Privacy & Security section. Here, a list of all apps appears under Location Services.
If an app has “Always” set, it can be changed to “While Using the App” or “Never.” Apple also offers another option called Precise Location. Disabling this option allows apps to only receive approximate information about your location, rather than your exact location.
Cybersecurity experts recommend reviewing location permissions after installing a new app or updating a software. If a flashlight app, a simple game, or a shopping app is repeatedly requesting location, it’s important to question why it needs it.
Users often hastily grant all permissions and then forget about them. This is why periodically checking your settings has become an important part of digital security.
The benefits of limiting location tracking go beyond privacy. Location services running continuously in the background can increase battery consumption and, in some cases, can even increase mobile data usage.
If you want your smartphone to consume less data, have longer battery life, and maintain control over your personal information, it’s a wise move to check your location settings today.