[00:00.00]Smartphones have become valuable tools for helping to organize our lives.
[00:08.87]However, the devices can also capture personal data and location information that users might want to keep private.
[00:21.89]Here are some tips, suggested by the Associated Press (AP), to help smartphone users limit the collection of private data on personal devices.
[00:38.74]All a user has to do is open a phone's map tool to search for a restaurant or other business to activate data tracking.
[00:51.62]Similarly, someone choosing to look up the price of a product online can unknowingly permit the smartphone to track the user's location and share data with others.
[01:08.69]Darren Guccione is the chief executive of U.S.-based internet security company Keeper Security.
[01:19.12]He told the AP that many apps, "from fitness tracking to navigation," can record data signals that show a user's movements, both physical and digital.
[01:32.33]Guccione's advice to users is to "turn on location tracking only when necessary, such as during navigation, emergencies or sharing updates with trusted contacts..."
[01:53.07]He adds that after this kind of necessary tracking is complete, users should immediately turn off location tracking.
[02:04.42]One step to limit smartphone tracking is to identify and change app permission settings.
[02:13.32]To do this, iPhone users can first go to the device's Privacy & Security settings.
[02:22.45]Then go to Location Services to check settings for individual apps.
[02:29.54]Internet security experts say it is not a good idea to let apps always use your location in the background.
[02:40.34]Instead, get the app to either ask first before using your location, or use it only when the app is open.
[02:50.09]A user can also choose the setting that never lets an app track location.
[02:58.19]The process works a little differently for Android phones because manufacturers have different versions.
[03:07.16]In general, Android users should go to settings.
[03:12.71]Then go to Location to turn the setting on or off for all apps.
[03:19.06]To avoid being tracked by advertising systems, privacy experts suggest that users block advertising identifiers on Android or Apple devices.
[03:33.59]This can stop third parties from tracking ads to target users.
[03:41.18]To do this, iPhone users can go to the Privacy setting, then find Apple Advertising.
[03:49.74]Then turn off Personalized Ads.
[03:53.63]On newer Android phones, users should go to the Privacy setting, then to Ads, and choose Delete Advertising ID.
[04:04.97]Along with app permissions for your device, security experts say it is a good idea to look closely at your Google account to make sure it is not tracking you.
[04:19.54]To find this out, go to myaccount.google.com and find Data & Privacy.
[04:28.55]Users can find Location History controls there.
[04:33.92]Under recent changes, the history will be removed after three months although users can change that setting as well.
[04:44.82]Popular web browsers for smartphones - like Safari or Chrome - could also give away location information.
[04:55.20]Try using one that does not store your data. Such browsers include DuckDuckGo, Firefox Focus or Ecosia.
[05:08.25]If a privacy-protected browser needs to identify your location through an IP address, it will ask first before doing so.
[05:20.77]These kinds of browsers will also let users easily remove internet cookies and other web browsing data.
[05:31.58]Phones or tablets can also be tracked with Apple's Find My or Google's Find My Device services designed to recover lost devices.
[05:46.37]Users can turn this tool off if they think someone was able to take control of their Apple or Google account and is using it for tracking.
[05:59.02]Some cybersecurity websites advise using a smartphone's Airplane Mode to block tracking operations.
[06:09.58]But some experts say this does not always turn off all tracking signals.
[06:16.63]Users should not depend on this setting alone to block data collection.
[06:24.07]A better tool in many situations would be a signal-blocking Faraday bag.
[06:30.98]These block all wireless signals to the smartphone. Experts suggest testing the bag to make sure data is actually being blocked.
[06:43.71]While such bags can be helpful, devices kept inside the containers cannot be used.
[06:51.77]I'm Bryan Lynn.
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Words in This Story
location - n. a place where someone goes or something happens
track - v. to follow the movements of something
navigation - n. a method to find the right direction to travel in by using maps or other equipment
digital - adj. any kind of information that is changed from electrical or physical to a form that is used by computers
cookie - n. small data files that are stored on an internet user's computer as they browse different websites.
tablet - n. a small computer that uses a touch screen
bag - n. a container made of paper, plastic, etc. that is used for carrying things
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