You can control your data leaks by making a few changes to your smartphone's settings. Both Android and iPhone offer settings that allow you to control your privacy.
Your smartphone could be spying on you!
Today, smartphones aren't just for making calls. They contain photos, banking apps, chats, location, contacts, email, and a host of other important information. But sometimes, we leave settings on ourselves that allow apps to access our information.
Not every app steals your data, but many can collect information about your location, camera, microphone, or usage habits. Fortunately, you have control over most of these things. By changing a few phone settings, you can significantly improve your privacy.
Let us know about 10 such settings which you should check right now.
1. First, check the App Permissions
Many apps ask for permissions like camera, microphone, contacts, and location upon installation. Many people tap Allow without reading them.
If a flashlight or calculator app doesn't need access to your contacts or microphone, turn off those permissions immediately. Close any app that you think doesn't need your location or other sensitive information.
On Android, you can see which permissions each app has by going to Settings > Privacy > Permission Manager or Privacy Dashboard. Google also recommends only granting apps access to sensitive data when absolutely necessary.
2. Do not always keep the location on
There are many apps that do not need to know your location all the time.
Even if an app requires your location, try selecting the option 'Allow only while using the app.' This will prevent the app from tracking your location in the background. According to Google, in Android you can control the location permissions of each app separately.
3. Turn off tracking for ads
You may have noticed that after viewing shoes on a website, the same ads appear in other apps as well. One reason for this is your phone's ad privacy settings.
On Android, you can disable Ad Privacy options by going to Settings > Google > All Services > Ads. This may reduce the sharing of advertising-related data between apps.
If you use an iPhone, you can turn off app tracking by going to Settings > Privacy & Security > Tracking. Apple requires that apps ask for permission before tracking your activity on other websites or apps.
4. Check microphone and camera access
Does every app need a microphone and camera? Absolutely not.
A video call app might need it, but if a game or notes app is also using the camera and microphone, you should check it again.
The Privacy Dashboard in Android also shows which apps used the camera, microphone, and location in the last 24 hours.
5. Also check Nearby Devices permissions
Many apps use Bluetooth to discover nearby devices. If an app doesn't need this permission, it can be disabled.
In recent years, researchers have also shown that Bluetooth and Wi-Fi scanning can be used to infer location information in some cases.
6. Remove apps you don't use
Many people have dozens of apps sitting on their phones that haven't been opened in months. Removing apps not only frees up storage but also reduces the likelihood of data sharing. Android automatically resets the permissions of some old apps, but it's better to remove apps that aren't needed.
7. Read Data Safety in Play Store or App Store
People often look at ratings before downloading an app. However, the Play Store also has a data safety section that details what data the app collects and for what purposes.
If a normal app requires your location, contacts, photos, or other personal information, think twice. Google encourages users to share more information through this section.
8. Always keep your phone software updated
Not every update brings just new features. Companies sometimes release security updates to protect against issues like hacking or data leaks. So, if your phone receives a new update, it's best not to put it off for long.
9. Also check your Google Account privacy settings
If you use an Android phone, simply changing your phone's settings isn't enough. Go to your Google Account and check your Location History, Web & App Activity, and other privacy settings. If you don't need a feature, you can disable it. This makes it easier to control the data associated with your account.
10. Don't blindly allow every permission.
This is the simplest yet most important advice. Often, apps ask for multiple permissions the first time they open them. In a hurry, people often grant them all. Remember, if an app is asking for permissions that don't necessarily relate to its purpose, you don't need to grant them.
Will these settings completely protect your data?
No. No setting guarantees 100% security. However, these changes do limit which apps can access which information on your phone. The fewer unnecessary permissions you have, the more control you have over your privacy.
Both Google and Apple recommend users to periodically review app permissions, location access, and tracking settings.
Data is a form of property these days. It's up to you to decide which apps can access your information. Just take 10-15 minutes to check these settings. You might discover that an app is accessing information it doesn't need. This simple precaution can make your digital privacy stronger than ever.
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gadget-tips
