6 Ways Your Phone Is Tracking You And How to Stop It

Have you ever mentioned a product or service near your phone and then suddenly seen ads for it on your social media feed? If you have, you’re not alone, your phone may indeed be listening. But that’s just the beginning. Phones and apps track more than just conversations; they ping your location, monitor browsing activity, and more.

Fortunately, you have options to protect your privacy. In this article, we’ll explain why phone tracking is risky, reveal the top six ways your phone tracks you, and share steps to stop it.

Why Is Phone Tracking Dangerous?

Your data is valuable to marketers who use it to serve hyper-targeted ads based on your location and interests. This digital “stalking” is legal as long as there’s an option to opt in or out. However, advertisers aren’t the only ones interested in your data, cybercriminals are, too. 

Here are the reasons why letting your phone track you is not advisable:

Risks of Identity Theft and Fraud

If your phone’s tracking data falls into the wrong hands, hackers can use it to gather personal details that enable identity theft, financial fraud, or unauthorized access to sensitive accounts. The fallout from these breaches can cause significant financial and emotional harm.

Privacy Invasion

Phone tracking allows third parties, apps, and websites to monitor your location, habits, and behaviors. This ongoing surveillance is a significant privacy invasion that leaves users vulnerable to targeted advertising, data harvesting, and even malicious tracking for harmful purposes.

Physical Security Threats

When your phone shares real-time location data, it exposes you to physical security threats. Stalkers or criminals can use this information to track your whereabouts, compromising your safety. By publicizing your movements, you also risk allowing bad actors to predict your routines and target you when you’re most vulnerable.

6 Ways Your Phone Tracks You And How to Stop It

1. Location Services

Your phone’s GPS and location services can track your real-time whereabouts, logging data about where you go and how long you stay. This “Frequent Locations” feature can help with directions but also reveals patterns that compromise privacy.

How to Turn It Off:

• iPhone: Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services. Toggle off Location Services or manage individual app permissions. Scroll down to System Services and select Significant Locations to disable it. You can also clear your history by tapping “Clear History.”
• Android: Go to Settings > Location > App Permissions. Either disable location tracking for specific apps or turn off Use Location entirely. To delete location history, tap “Delete Location History” under Location History.

2. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Connections

Your phone frequently scans for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connections, which third parties can use to track your location based on connected networks and devices.

How to Turn It Off:

• iPhone: Swipe down from the top-right corner and toggle off Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. For full control, go to Settings > Wi-Fi & Bluetooth to disable scanning.
• Android: Go to Settings > Location > Wi-Fi & Bluetooth scanning. Turn off these options to prevent constant searches for networks and devices.

3. Social Media and Search Engines

Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Google track your interactions, searches, and location to create detailed profiles. This data fuels ads and content recommendations that often feel intrusive.

How to Turn It Off:

• Social Media: Adjust settings within each platform (e.g., Facebook > Settings & Privacy > Privacy Shortcuts) to manage ad preferences and data collection.
• Google: Go to Google Account > Data & Privacy > Web & App Activity to control tracking. Adjust Ad Settings to limit ad tracking.

4. App Permissions

Many apps request access to contacts, photos, microphone, and camera, enabling them to track your activity even when not in use. Regularly reviewing these permissions helps maintain privacy.

How to Turn It Off:

• iPhone: Go to Settings > Privacy & Security. Check categories like Camera, Microphone, and Contacts to adjust permissions.
• Android: Go to Settings > Apps > Permissions to control which apps have access to sensitive data like contacts, microphone, and camera.

5. Browsing Activity

Web browsers and apps monitor your search history and the sites you visit, using this data to build profiles and target ads. Your behavior patterns may even be sold to third parties.

How to Turn It Off:

• iPhone & Android: Use your browser’s private or incognito mode. In Google Chrome, go to Settings > Privacy & Security and turn off Web & App Activity. Clear browsing history and cookies regularly for added protection.

6. Ad Tracking

Your phone assigns you an advertising ID that lets companies track your behavior across apps and websites, building profiles based on your interests.

How to Turn It Off:

• iPhone: Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Tracking and turn off “Allow Apps to Request to Track.” You can also disable personalized ads by going to Settings > Privacy & Security > Apple Advertising.
• Android: Go to Settings > Privacy > Ads, then toggle on “Opt Out of Ads Personalization.”

By tweaking these settings, you can reduce the personal information your phone tracks, giving you more control over your privacy.

Why This Matters for Business Owners

For business owners, personal privacy is just as critical as protecting company data. Tracking methods that monitor your every move could also expose your business to threats. Hackers, cybercriminals, and even competitors may exploit these vulnerabilities to gather information about your operations, client interactions, and sensitive communications.

Taking steps to limit your phone’s tracking helps secure your business from potential data breaches, identity theft, and targeted cyber-attacks. In today’s world, cybersecurity is no longer just a technical concern, it’s a strategic one. Being proactive about privacy is the first step to staying ahead of potential threats.

Teknologize is a SOC 2 Accredited, Professional Technology Services company with clients throughout the Pacific Northwest. We have offices located in:

• Tri-Cities, Washington 509.396.6640

• Yakima, Washington 509.396.6640

• Bend, Oregon 541.848.6072

• Seattle, Washington 206.743.0981

Questions about your IT or Cybersecurity? Give us a call today!