According to The New York Times, locating people would be so easy through the use of data collected by different applications. Since the advent of smartphones equipped with GPS, you have had no way to avoid getting tracked. Although individuals may enjoy sharing their locations with their friends through some apps like Whatsapp and Telegram, no one wants to get tracked.
These days, everyone likes to know your location. For example, a retailer seeks the stores you have visited and an advertiser prefers to search for the nearest customers. Parents are also seeking the ways to track their children.
But it’s not all about shopping or tracking children. Having access to your location data can invade your privacy since all your activities may be tracked and recorded through your smartphone’s apps. If you are one of those concerned about your privacy, there are some solutions preventing apps from stalking you. This post introduces the solutions.
Avoid getting tracked on Android smartphones
The most strict step you can take is to turn off tracking the location. This process may be different for various Android phones as Android phone makers have custom menus. Generally, you have to go to Setting, looking for Security or Connection option and toggle the Location off.
Through this simple process, you will prevent all apps from finding your location. But you will still receive Google adds based on your IP location. Note that, it may have some disadvantages. For example, your smartphone won’t get tracked in case you miss it or even your apps won’t work perfectly as they use to. In addition, there is no way to see your location on Google Maps.
The other action you can take is to find suspicious apps accessing your location. In order to find a list of these applications on phones running Android P, open Settings, tap on Advanced, then select App permission. After selecting Location, you’ll be able to see the apps which can find your whereabouts. Here, you can manage them. If you have installed an app which you think does not need your location, toggle Location off.
Avoid getting tracked on iPhones
With the help of iCloud, you don’t have to be worried about turning your location tracking off. This service can activate the Lost mode on your phone.
Settings on iPhone are not as complicated as Android handsets. Open Settings, tap Privacy and then choose Location services. No applications will be allowed to access the location if you toggle Location Services off.
Do you think the above setting is a step too far? then try this one. Again, open Settings> Privacy> Location Services in order to see the apps which are able to pinpoint you. Tapping on each app to see an amazing feature of iPhone. There are three options including Never, Always, and While using the app. Unlike Android, you will have an option to grant the permission for accessing the location data only if you’re using it.
Following the above process may secure you from getting tracked. But what about the locations which are already recorded. Is there a way to delete them permanently? The answer is yes.
How to delete the location history if you are using an Android phone
The step is so straightforward. Sign in your Google account and go to the Delete Location History page. There is a button named Delete Location History. Tap it if you want to remove all your location data permanently.
How to delete the location history if you are using an iPhone
In the Location Service tab of Privacy in Settings, find System Services by Scrolling down the page. Then select Significant Locations and click on Clear History. Your location history of your iPhone will be deleted.
Bear in mind, other companies may also save your location data through the apps you’d installed. Accordingly, there is no way to delete all of the recordings of your location history. The only thing you can do now is to be careful about the apps allowed to access your data.
