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Hidden setting lets apps spy on you through Bluetooth
Think Bluetooth is just for headphones and car calls? Think again. It’s one of the sneakiest ways apps track you, and most people have no clue it’s happening.
Even when GPS is off, your phone is constantly “sniffing” for nearby devices like AirTags, smartwatches and fitness trackers. That’s normal.
Here’s where it gets shady: Some apps piggyback on that signal to figure out where you are, how long you stay and who else is around. I’m talking about fitness apps, shopping apps, airline apps, even flashlights and wallpaper apps. (Yep.)
Retail stores can use this data to detect when you walk by or how long you linger near a display. Creepy and totally preventable.
🔧 Take back control
Plenty of popular apps request Bluetooth access, not to connect to a device but to build a profile of where you go and who you’re near. The good news? You can shut it down in seconds.
▶️ On iPhone:
- Go to Settings, tap Privacy & Security.
- Select Bluetooth.
- Look through the list. If an app doesn’t need Bluetooth (think: Uber, Target, games), toggle it off.
▶️ On Android:
- Go to Settings.
- Select Apps (or Apps & notifications).
- Tap See all apps (or the three-dot icon for Permission manager).
- Choose an app and tap Permissions.
- Check if it has Nearby Devices or Bluetooth access. If it doesn’t need it, hit Deny.
🤯 Why this matters
This has nothing to do with pairing your earbuds. It’s about passive location tracking done without GPS and often without your knowledge.
Fresh finds for under $25
🔊 My pick: Bluetooth shower speaker (17% off)
Sing in the shower (on key or not). Waterproof, wireless and with a built-in microphone for hands-free calling. Now your phone will stay high and dry.
💛 Grace & stella under-eye masks (47% off): Puffy eyes? No prob. Just put one on, and you’ll look more awake in no time.
💧 Hydrocolloid pimple patches (33% off): These nearly invisible patches are lifesavers for hiding surprise breakouts.
🧽 Shower loofahs (29% off, three-pack): Ditch that old puff. You deserve ones with 4.6 stars and 48K+ rave reviews.
😌 Dermaplane razors (20% off, 12-pack): For peach fuzz, brows and random strays. Way cheaper than the salon.
✨ Fresh face, fresher start: Shop my Amazon storefront for even more affordable self-care steals. Your skin (and wallet) will thank you.
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
Smart glasses are spyware
That’s me, virtually trying on Meta’s glasses on their website, doing my best Tom Cruise Risky Business impersonation. Spoiler, I didn’t buy them.
These remind me of Google Glass. Those awkward $1,500 face computers from 2013 that made you look like a cyborg at brunch. They launched with a ton of hype and died just as fast.
⚡️ 3-second tech genius: Want to select everything on a page or document instantly? On Windows, press Ctrl + A, or on Mac, use Cmd + A. No more dragging your mouse to the bottom.
🚨 Microsoft Patch Tuesday: The latest update fixes 86 security flaws across Windows, Office, SharePoint and more. The scariest? A remote code execution bug in Microsoft’s High Performance Compute pack. Go to Settings > Windows Update > Check for updates.
How sextortion scams trick millions
Scammers are sending fake sextortion emails claiming they hacked your camera and contacts. It’s all a bluff. Here’s how to spot the scam and why the best response is to do nothing.
11:37 p.m.
The average bedtime for American adults. We’re clocking six hours and 40 minutes of sleep a night, well below the recommended seven to nine. People who stick to the same bedtime get 40 extra minutes of rest and spend 36% less time tossing and turning. TikTok will still be there tomorrow. Promise.
Old iPhone? Turn it into this
Don’t ditch your old iPhone. From security cam to kid-safe game device, here’s how to give it a second life.
🛸 Missile vs. UFO: Congress just dropped a wild video of a U.S. drone firing a Hellfire missile at a glowing orb off Yemen. The missile bounced off. I’m no military expert, but that’s not business as usual. Veterans testified they’ve seen triangles, cubes and Tic Tacs in the sky, claiming the government buried reports and retaliated against whistleblowers.
Nail it for under $50
📏 My pick: Laser tape measure (24% off)
The future of measuring is here. Classic tape meets high-tech laser, so you can find area, volume and distance without the guesswork.
✨ Magnetic necklace clasp (33% off): Turns “why can’t I get this to clasp?” into “snap, done.” Great if you’ve got long nails or zero patience.
🔥 Hot glue gun kit (23% off): Heats up fast, won’t drip and comes with 30 glue sticks, because you know one is never enough.
📦 Packing tape (18% off, six-pack): Quiet for less tape-gun squeals echoing through the house. 4.5 stars and 12K+ reviews.
⚒️ Drywall crack repair kit (10% off): The lazy-genius fix for dents and dings. Your landlord never has to know.
👉 More tools, more wins: Don’t stop here. Stock up on more affordable DIY gear on my Amazon shop.
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
Bluetooth is spying on you right now
Think Bluetooth is harmless? Think again. George, your AI host, explains how apps secretly use Bluetooth to track your movements and how to shut it down on iPhone and Android.
George will also tell you about a lawyer suing Meta, new webcam malware, AI fantasy football, Gen Z’s wired headphone comeback, AI musicians landing record deals. Plus: quick device hacks for Gmail, Apple Watch, Chrome, Fire Stick, and iPhone charging.
Charlie Chaplin’s in theaters after 100 years
Charlie Chaplin famously rereleased his 1925 silent classic The Gold Rush in 1942 with new narration and edits, believing it would connect better with modern audiences. Now, thanks to film archivists and AI, the silent masterpiece has been painstakingly restored. The 4K version just premiered at Cannes and hit 250 theaters worldwide.
Tech takes the hit: The Bureau of Labor Statistics just admitted it was off by nearly 1 million jobs last year. That’s not a typo. Tech and information roles saw some of the steepest cuts. AI’s fingerprints are all over the mess, especially in entry-level roles. The robots didn’t just come for your job, they already started clocking in.
Running a business isn’t easy: More than 42,000 companies trust NetSuite by Oracle, the #1 cloud ERP. It brings accounting, finances, inventory and HR together in one platform. Download the FREE “CFO’s Guide to AI and Machine Learning” today!
Scammers threatened to murder my dad
Lauren from San Francisco got a call that would terrify anyone: her dad crying as a man saying he’d be killed. Only… it wasn’t her dad on the line. Plus: Google dodges a breakup, Amazon cuts perks, and an AirTag leads to a thief caught in stolen clothes.
Gadgets that slap
📺 My pick: INSIGNIA 32” Smart Fire TV (38% off)
Perfect for small bedrooms, dorms and kitchens. Alexa even takes the “lost remote” excuse off the table.
🎧 Over-ear headphones (37% off): A 65-hour battery keeps your podcasts rolling for days. 4.5 stars and 29K+ reviews.
🔊 Portable Bluetooth speaker (15% off): Waterproof, wireless and loud enough to turn anywhere into a dance floor.
💿 Leather CD player (15% off): Dust off those old discs. This plays your old CDs and pairs with Bluetooth.
🔌 Tower power strip (20% off): Eight outlets + five USB ports = one neat tower that finally ends desk chaos.
🛒 Crank up your cart: I rounded up 25 more great gadgets over on my Amazon storefront. Go give yourself a treat.
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
📶 Check your internet speed: Strong Wi-Fi doesn’t always mean fast internet. Run a test and check your download speed. For 4K Netflix, you’ll need 15 to 25 Mbps down. If the whole family’s streaming, gaming and scrolling, 100 Mbps or more will keep the peace. Upload should be at least 10 Mbps, too.
🚀 Golden Dome race: Varda Space nailed a capsule reentry (paywall link) in Australia, on target at hypersonic speed. Sounds nerdy, but here’s the point: The U.S. is funding a “missile shield” against future threats, and tech startups are competing to build it. Translation: Silicon Valley is shifting from dating apps to defense contracts.