Your iPhone may never fail to amaze you when it comes to its amazing, convenient features. But those surprises aren’t always positive. The number of ways Apple could be collecting data about you, without you even knowing it, is also pretty shocking. Unbeknownst to you, your phone could already have info about you that it has amassed while you’ve been innocently browsing websites or looking up directions to your favorite restaurant. And while its purposes for acquiring data aren’t always nefarious (the more your phone understands about you and your behaviors, the better advertisers can target ads to you), the whole thing can still be pretty creepy.
Harman Singh, director at Cyphere – a cybersecurity services company that operates across the UK and US, says it’s true: Apple is collecting data on you. “But don’t worry,” Singh adds. “There are ways to prevent it from happening.” Here are three ways Apple collects data about you that may surprise you.
Location tracking
Apple tracks your location through your iPhone’s GPS, Singh says. “This can be helpful for things like finding your way around, but it also means that Apple knows where you are at all times.” Fortunately, you can turn off location services for apps that don’t need it, Singh reminds us. You can do this by going to Settings > Privacy > Location Services.
Siri recordings
If you use Siri, Singh warns that Apple may be recording your voice and using it to improve the Siri experience for everyone. “However, this also means that Apple has a record of every question you’ve ever asked Siri, he says. There’s really only one solution for this privacy issue: turn off Siri recording. You can do this by going to Settings > Siri & Search > Siri & Dictation History.
App usage
If you think the apps you download are for your eye only, think again. “Apple collects data about which apps you use and how often you use them,” Singh says. “This helps them understand which apps are popular and which ones need improvement.”
There isn’t much you can do to keep Apple from knowing which apps you download — but at least you can rest easy knowing your info can help improve the apps you enjoy most, right?
Search history
Here’s one last one for good measure: if you use Safari to search the web, Apple may be keeping a record of your search history. “This can be helpful for things like auto-filling search suggestions, but it also means that Apple knows what you’ve been searching for,” Singh says.
To protect yourself, clear your search history regularly. “You can do this by going to Settings > Safari > Clear History and Website Data,” Singh says. “By taking these simple steps, you can help protect your privacy and keep your data safe.”
