Location tracking can be super convenient, considering how it helps with directions, weather updates, and even finding your phone when it’s lost. But keeping location services turned on for too many apps can come with more risk than reward. Many apps collect your location data even when you’re not actively using them, and that information can be stored, shared, or sold without your awareness. Over time, this kind of tracking can build a creepy profile of your habits, routines, and even where you live and work.
If you’re looking to boost your digital privacy, one of the simplest steps you can take is reviewing and limiting which apps have access to your location. Not every app needs to know where you are, and turning off location tracking for the ones that don’t can reduce how much of your personal data is floating around. Here are a few apps you may want to consider adjusting for better privacy and peace of mind.
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1. Facebook
Facebook uses your location to serve targeted ads, suggest nearby events, tag your posts, and track your movement even when you’re not using the app. This data helps the platform build a profile of your habits and whereabouts. To stop Facebook from tracking your location, go to your iPhone’s Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services > Facebook and set it to Never or While Using the App.
2. Weather Apps
Many weather apps request constant location access to provide local forecasts, but they often continue tracking in the background even when you're not checking the weather. Some may also share this data with third parties. Since you won’t want to turn off location completely for weather, but will probably want to limit its access, head to Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services >Weather App and select While Using the App instead of Always.
3. Google Maps
Google Maps uses your location to provide navigation, traffic updates, and personalized suggestions based on places you’ve visited. But it also stores location history by default, creating a timeline of your movements. You can turn this off by going to Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services > Google Maps and selecting While Using the App.
4. Instagram
Instagram uses your location to suggest tags, show location-based stories, and help advertisers target content to you so that it can turn a profit using your location. Even if you don’t tag your posts, the app can still track your general location in the background. To stop this, go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services > Instagram and choose Never or While Using the App.
