Location, location and location!


GPS stands for Global Positioning System and it's goal to help device orient itself some where on Earth, however with smartphones it's been taken to another level. Smartphones are explicitly personal devices, thus it represent it's owner, so you can safely assume that where smartphone at it's owner is nearby. With cell service location has become ubiquitous, and given that smartphones have constant Internet connection GPS information is constantly transmitted to HQ. So what we can do about it?

Step 0: Read this article by NYTimes that go over how journalists were able to deanonimize location data that they bought on the market and track movements of the President.

Step 1: Go over all of the apps and just like during day 3 review Location permissions for all of them, apply critical thinking and revoke Location permission from all of the apps that you don't want to have access to your location.

Step 2: Do the same, but for apps that need it. In many cases modern apps would ask you to turn it on and you can grant permission then, if possible limit it for a session or revoke after use. It's additional work, but definitely worth it.

Step 3: Disable and remove location history: Android and iPhone

Step 4: Application that provide map services often collect history by default, opt out of that feature. Additionally opt out of any personalization that use your location, like say app promises you local news or something along those line. Opt out it's not worth it.

Step 5: Opt out of location sharing features and think twice before you share location with a service. Never allow web sites to know your location it's often easier to enter your zipcode manually.

Back to Advent Calendar!

Why wait, take action today and keep your privacy in tact and keep your freedom as a result!

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