Some of your apps are tracking your location — and you may not even know it.
While you probably expect apps like the Weather app or any app that uses GPS to track you — because, otherwise, they can’t properly do their jobs — you might be shocked to learn just how many apps request your location data. And even those apps that seem to have no great reason to know this info are trying their best to gain access to it. In some cases, they may simply be attempting to sell your location data to advertisers who can better promote their products to a more targeted audience. Whatever the reason, you aren’t under any obligation to provide your location to an app. But you’ll need to get a better handle on which apps are notorious for using your location and could potentially be invading your privacy.
These four apps track your location and could be putting your data at risk.
Find My iPhone
There’s no doubt that Apple’s Find My iPhone feature is super helpful if you misplace your phone at home. This tracker will help lead you straight to its whereabouts under a sofa cushion. But there’s a potential dark side to this feature that’s worth noting. One risk is that this feature isn’t flawless. It may take you to the approximate location of your phone, but it isn’t always completely accurate. As a result, you may find yourself blaming someone for stealing your iPhone who has never laid a hand on it. In short: this feature is wildly convenient, but should not be thought of as perfect.
Weather Apps
The weather app that comes pre-loaded on your iPhone is likely the only one you need — and it will require location permissions to do its job. But some iPhone users find benefits in unique features offered by other weather apps — which is fine, just be careful. In the past, some weather apps have been found to contain Trojans and other malware. If you can avoid downloading too many weather apps and being mindful of the ones you use, all the better.
The Facebook app remains one of the worst when it comes to tracking your location and details about you. Facebook collects so much data about you and you may even be giving it permission to store and use locations from the photos you post. One of the best ways you can protect yourself is by deleting the Facebook app altogether (you can still access Facebook on your browser if you choose). If that isn’t an option for you, change your permissions on Facebook so that you no longer share your location with the app.
Instagram
It shouldn’t be too surprising that Instagram, owned by the same company that owns Facebook, requests a number of permissions from you, including your location. In fact, every time you post a photo, your location may readily pop up as an option to post — for good reason: the app is tracking you. Only you can ultimately decide if the breach of privacy you can encounter while using Instagram is worth the risk, but changing your permissions and giving Instagram access to less of your data is one way to help mitigate the risk.
