How to Protect Your Privacy from Location Tracking on iPhone: Stop Apps and Data Brokers from Following You
Recent revelations have exposed that a little-known company called Babel Street can track both iPhone and Android users’ locations by leveraging data from mobile advertising data brokers. Investigators from data removal firm Atlas Privacy discovered they could use Babel Street’s Locate X tool to identify sensitive locations such as patients at a Florida abortion clinic, jurors in a New Jersey trial, attendees at a Los Angeles synagogue and a Dearborn mosque, and even children in a Philadelphia school.
This alarming capability is possible because many people use apps that share their location data with data brokers, who then package and resell this information to companies like Babel Street. While Apple devices have an advantage—Atlas estimated they could locate roughly 80% of Android phones but only 25% of iPhones—thanks to Apple’s App Tracking Transparency feature introduced in iOS 14.5 (which has reportedly cost Facebook $12 billion in lost revenue), many users still unknowingly grant permissions that compromise their privacy.
Although it’s virtually impossible to avoid being tracked by data brokers entirely, you can significantly reduce the likelihood and frequency of tracking. Here’s how to adjust your iPhone privacy settings to protect yourself from unwanted location tracking.
That said, iPhone users are generally safer from these sorts of privacy invasions, so most people don't need to go through these steps (except the first one!), but if you want to be extra safe or if you have specific concerns, please continue through to my recommendations.
Turn Off “Allow Apps to Request to Track”
The most crucial setting to adjust (and the easiest no-brainer!) is found in Settings > Privacy & Security > Tracking. At the top of the screen, you’ll see a switch labeled Allow Apps to Request to Track. Make sure this is turned off. If it has been on previously, apps that have requested permission will appear below, and you can manage them individually.
By preventing apps from even asking to track you, you stop them from sharing a unique identifier associated with your iPhone with other apps and websites. This identifier allows advertisers and data brokers to follow you across different apps and websites, gathering information about your activities and often including your physical location. Don’t let apps persuade you to turn this setting back on or allow them to track you; Apple’s rules explicitly forbid apps from reducing functionality for users who refuse to allow tracking. I don't ever recommend allowing tracking from any apps for any reason.
Limit Location Access to Necessary Apps Only
While you can turn off Location Services entirely in Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services, doing so will significantly reduce your iPhone’s functionality. You won’t be able to get directions from Maps, tag photos with their location, share your location with family members, find your lost iPhone, and more. And you don't want to go crazy disabling location access or some core features of apps may not work properly.
Instead, review each app in the list and determine the level of location access you want to grant based on its function and its explanation of why it needs access. Grant the minimal level of access necessary, which varies by app. For instance:
- Navigation apps need location access to provide directions.
- Camera apps use it to geotag photos.
- Weather apps access it to offer local forecasts and severe weather alerts.
Generally, I think it's safe to allow Apple's own apps to have access. Generally, enabling location access doesn't send your data to Apple, it just allows the app to know where you are. And there are obvious ones that need access like Uber (so they know where to send a driver) and Exxon Mobil (so they know what store you are near when paying for gas using your phone).
However, consider whether apps like social media platforms, games, or shopping apps need access to your location at all. While they may have legitimate uses (Facebook allows you to more easily tag a location when you post, Amazon can show you nearby locations for package pickup, and your bank can show you locations of nearby ATMs), these are features that few people use.
Apple provides five location access levels:
- Never: Choose this for any app with questionable explanations of why it needs location access.
- Ask Next Time or When I Share: Select this if you’re unsure whether to allow or deny location access. The app will prompt you the next time it wants your location, allowing you to make an informed decision.
- While Using the App: This is appropriate for most apps that require location access during active use. It strikes the best balance between usability and privacy.
- While Using the App or Widgets: Choose this only if you use a widget that needs location access, such as with the Weather app.
- Always: Grant this only to apps that need to provide location-based notifications when the app isn’t open, such as weather apps alerting you to incoming storms.
Additionally, when you allow location access, the Precise Location option becomes available. Turn this on only if the app needs to know your exact location within 15 to 200 feet (5 to 60 meters). Apps like Uber or Lyft, navigation apps, and camera apps should have Precise Location enabled. For most other apps, turn Precise Location off. Your approximate location—a variable radius between 2.5 to 12 miles (4 to 20 kilometers)—is usually sufficient.
Restrict Bluetooth and Local Network Access for Unnecessary Apps
Apps can use Bluetooth to infer your general location by interacting with other Bluetooth devices and tracking movement patterns. To prevent this, go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Bluetooth and revoke permission from any apps that don’t need it. Most legitimate apps will prompt you when they require Bluetooth access, such as those designed to communicate with Bluetooth-connected devices.
Similarly, apps may request permission to use your Local Network to discover network-connected devices like routers, printers, speakers, and smart home gadgets, or to connect with other players in networked games. Since your network can reveal information about your location, it’s wise to revoke access for any apps that don’t need it.
You can manage this in Settings > Privacy & Security > Local Network. But of course, you will want to give Local Network access to apps that do have legitimate reasons for using it. For example, an app to configure your router, access your printer, play music to your smart speakers, or view and set up security cameras. And many video streaming apps need it to operate screencasting or to make logging into your account on a television easier.
Stay Vigilant and Advocate for Privacy Protections
Ultimately, protecting your privacy requires staying vigilant about what you’re allowing on your devices. Regularly review your iPhone privacy settings and be cautious about granting permissions. Encourage companies like Apple to add even more privacy protections and consider advocating for legal protections through your elected representatives. It’s concerning that private companies can gather extensive location data on millions of citizens, but by taking control of your device’s settings, you can minimize your exposure to unwanted location tracking.
(Featured image by iStock.com/Chayada Jeeratheepatanont)