Why It Matters
How Phones Collect Data in the Background
Your phone tracks where you go.
- Your phone can use GPS, cell towers, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and apps to determine location. That location data may be logged by your phone carrier, apps, and online platforms. Over time, this can create a detailed picture of your routines, relationships, and interests.
Photos and videos store hidden details.
- Every photo or video can include information (called metadata) that details when it was taken, where it was taken, and which device created it.
Apps collect data in the background.
- Many apps — especially social media, navigation, and weather apps — collect location and movement data even when you’re not actively using them. That data can be stored, shared, sold, or requested later.
Cloud storage and uploads link data together.
- Backups and online platforms can connect your identity, device, location, and history long after the moment has passed.
Livestreaming links to your identity and location.
- When you livestream to video platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, or YouTube, your identity, location, device history, and who you are connected to can be linked to a specific activity or encounter for long periods of time.
Why Location Data is so Powerful
Location data is way more than “where you were.” It can reveal:
- Where you live and sleep
- Where you work
- Who you spend time with
- Your habits, routines, and beliefs
- Patterns that predict where you’ll be next
Once collected, location data can be stored for years, combined with other data, used to identify, profile or influence people, and be accessed by companies, data brokers and authorities. That’s why location data is often called the most sensitive data there is. It can tell your story without asking. The data created today lasts for years.
Using Your Phone With Awareness
Every small step you take to limit tracking reduces your digital trail, protects your future self, and puts more control back in your hands. Learn More
Protect Your Location: 5 Simple Phone Settings
Your phone constantly sends and receives signals unless you tell it not to. Reducing location tracking is about limiting signals you don’t actually need all the time. You are not “hiding.” You are choosing when your phone should talk, and when it should be quiet.
🍎: iPhone instructions
🤖: Android instructions
Step 1 - Use location services intentionally
The fastest way to stop location data is to turn OFF Location Services. When that’s
not practical, reducing location access app by app still makes a meaningful difference.
🍎: Settings → Privacy & Security → Location Services → OFF or select apps from list
Use “Never” or “Ask Next Time Or When I Share” for most apps. Use “While Using the App” only for apps that truly need location to function. Avoid “Always” if possible. Watch: How to Do This
🤖: Settings → Location → App location permissions → OFF or select apps from list
Use “Don’t allow” or “Ask” every time for most apps. Use “Allow only while using the app” only when needed. Avoid “Allow all the time.”
Why this matters: Location Services are the main control of your location data. They determine if GPS is used, if photos/videos get location tags, and if apps can log your location.
Step 2 - Turn on Airplane mode
🍎🤖: Swipe down (or up) and tap airplane mode ✈️
Why this matters: Turns off cellular, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth so your phone is not broadcasting location signals or collecting data in real time. Prevents background tracking when you don’t need connectivity.
Important note: Android usually shuts everything off in Airplane Mode. iPhones may keep Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on for convenience (so your headphones and watch work). It’s important to check that both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth have been turned off, and if not, do so.
Step 3 - Turn off Wi-Fi
🍎: Settings → Wi-Fi → tap ‘>’ → Toggle Wi-Fi ON or OFF Watch: How to Do This
🤖: Settings -> Network & internet -> Internet -> Toggle Wi-Fi ON or OFF
Why this matters: Stops your phone from scanning for nearby Wi-Fi networks and revealing your presence (even if you don’t connect!).
Step 4 - Turn off BlueTooth
🍎: Settings → Bluetooth → tap ‘>’ → Slide OFF Watch: How to Do This
🤖: Settings -> Connected Devices -> Connection Preferences -> Bluetooth -> Toggle ON or OFF
Why this matters: Stops your phone from broadcasting its presence and avoids proximity tracking.
Step 5 - Avoid livestreaming
🍎 🤖: Record Locally
Why this matters: Livestreaming immediately links video to an account, time, and location and creates permanent platform records. Recording locally lets you decide later if, when, and how to share.
These steps focus on immediate location safety. For everyday phone privacy tips, visit Shield Up! Stop the Snoop. To learn more about why privacy matters and how to take control, become a member of PrivacyMatters2u's Initiative.