- App tracking collects personal data to create advertising profiles and monetize user information.
- There are native tools and settings in iOS and Android to limit access to location and other critical permissions.
- Spyware represents a serious threat that can operate in the background to steal credentials and spy on device activity.
- Prevention involves using private browsers, constantly updating the system, and analyzing applications through privacy platforms.
I'm sure it's happened to you: you install an app to do something as simple as order a pizza or check the weather, and suddenly the app asks for access to your location, your contacts, and even your camera. Sometimes we accept everything without looking because we're in a hurry, but that mass data collection It is the basis of what many call surveillance capitalism, where we cease to be the users and become the product.
The problem is that nowadays most apps, especially those advertised as free, aren't truly free. In exchange for the service, these tools... They analyze our behavior both when we use them and in the background, sending valuable information to tech giants and data brokers who then sell these profiles to the highest bidder to bombard us with targeted advertising.
What exactly is app tracking and why is it dangerous?
Basically, tracking involves capturing and analyzing a user's activity within a website or mobile app. While it may seem harmless, the goal is create detailed profiles about us. Through this process, companies know what we like, where we are, and what we buy, allowing advertising to be manipulative and extremely precise.
Academic studies have revealed that the vast majority of free apps contain trackers from companies like Google, Facebook, Amazon, or Microsoft, even if the app has no direct relationship with them. What's most worrying is that the apps aimed at children News sites are usually the ones that include the most trackers, often operating outside the regulations of the European Union.
The risk isn't just receiving annoying ads; privacy vanishes when data ends up in the hands of third parties. In extreme cases, these data brokers They can sell the information to intelligence agencies, facilitating constant surveillance without any court order.
How to manage and revoke permissions on iPhone (iOS)
Apple implemented a feature called AppTracking Transparency (ATT) to give the user control. If you want to stop this, first make sure you have iOS 14.5 or later Updating the system in the General Settings menu.
To manage who tracks you, go to Settings, scroll down to Privacy, and select the Tracking option. There you'll see a list of the apps that have requested your consent. You can turn off the switch individually for each application; if it is grayed out, tracking has been blocked.
If you don't want to respond to every permission request that pops up on your screen, there's a global option. In the same Tracking section, you can uncheck the box for "Allow apps to request tracking"This will prevent any new app from bothering you with these requests.
Controlling privacy on Android devices
Unlike Apple, Android doesn't have a master switch for the entire system, so we have to go app by appTo perform a cleanup, go to Settings and look for the Applications or Application Manager section. Select the app you suspect and enter the permissions management, where you can control your app permissions in an advanced way.
It is essential to review the permits of location, contacts and cameraMany apps require GPS to function, but others only use it to track your movements. If you see a game asking for your location, the wisest course of action is to choose the option to... Deny or configure the permissions for apps only when in use.
If you want to review who has access to your location, go directly to Settings and then to Location. There you'll find a list of apps organized by permission type: "Always Allowed," "Only While Using," or "Denied." Change any app in the first category to Reject unless it is strictly necessary for them to know where you are 24 hours a day.
The hidden danger: How to detect and remove spyware
Beyond commercial tracking, there is spyware, malicious software that infiltrates systems to steal passwords, record calls, or capture keystrokes. This type of malware is especially insidious because operates covertly and it can reach your mobile phone through phishing or spy apps on Google Play downloaded outside the official store.
There are clear signs that your mobile phone could be infected: the device It constantly overheats.Your battery drains much faster than normal, or you notice extremely slow performance for no apparent reason. It's also suspicious if strange pop-up windows appear or if you receive emails with unusual links.
To remove it, you can try restarting your phone. Safe ModeThis prevents third-party apps from starting. From there, go to the application settings, show system processes, and delete any unknown names. If the malware has administrator privileges, you'll need to remove them first in the Advanced Security menu before you can uninstall it.
If none of this works, the most drastic but effective measure is factory resetThis will erase absolutely everything, including spyware. Remember to make a backup beforehand, but be sure to restore your data from a point before the problems started to avoid reinstalling the virus.
Additional tips to protect your privacy
To avoid falling into these traps, the golden rule is: The fewer apps, the better.Delete anything you don't use. Additionally, you can use tools like Exodus Privacy to check if an app contains trackers before installing it, or use the F-Droid store on Android, which filters apps that use third-party tracking services.
Don't neglect your web browsing. Use browsers that prioritize privacy, such as Brave, Firefox or DuckDuckGoand adds extensions like Privacy Badger or Ghostery. It's also recommended to change passwords frequently and enable [the following features/opt-out features]. two-factor authentication (2FA) on all accounts that allow it to prevent data theft from becoming total access to your digital life.
It's also helpful to clear your social media account permissions. Go to the settings of Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram and look for the section on Authorized ApplicationsYou'll see dozens of websites and services you granted access to years ago that you no longer use; revoke those permissions immediately to close any backdoors to your information.
Keeping your operating system updated, avoiding clicks on misleading ads, and being selective with location permissions are the best weapons against digital spying. By combining the removal of suspicious apps with the use of blocking tools and a cautious approach, you can regain control over your personal information and navigate the mobile ecosystem with much greater peace of mind.