One of the most important things to do in today’s digital era is to keep your data, like your location, safe.
There are a lot of modern security features built into most iPhones and Androids that can help prevent your personal information from being shared with the wrong people. However, there’s only so much they can do. Many users tend to forget how much the apps they have on their device can access, and sometimes, that’s things like your location. Read more about two apps you might not have realized can track your location below.
Women Are Swapping Their Boring Water For This Ice Pop Electrolyte Mix!
1. Life360
This might sound obvious, but Life360 is a safety app that allows trusted individuals to track your location and allows you to keep an eye on other people's locations. Many families and others like using it to keep an eye on their kids or simply for peace of mind. But according to tech pros, the app can become risky due to data sharing related to your location.
"Life360 provides peace of mind and security to millions of families," explains cybersecurity expert and author Patrick Coughlin. "But, unless you actively opt out of their data sharing policy, they will also resell location data to data brokers. This is not only useful to brands that want to target advertisements to your family, but also to cybercriminals who can use data around your pattern of life to launch even more targeted and convincing AI-powered scams."
2. Microsoft Teams
With many people working remotely or consistently needing to be in contact during the workday, one of the most popular platforms for doing so is Microsoft Teams. Coworkers are often messaging each other on there, sharing valuable information, having meetings, and more throughout their days; however, the application itself is surprisingly a bit dangerous.
"Lots of us install Microsoft Teams on our phones because it's a work tool, so we need it and trust it, but people either don't realize or forget that every time Teams connects to the internet, it leaves location breadcrumbs," begins tech safety pro Adam Pilton. "The app collects IP address data tied to Wi-Fi access points and logs connection patterns. Security systems within Teams, like "impossible travel" detection (which flags if you're in England one moment and North America the next), actually require collecting detailed movement data to function. So, whether it's a genuine concern for people or not, your workplace communication app is silently documenting your location history, and because it's a "work app," most of us don't question the permissions we've granted it."
