Take a minute to adjust these important Android privacy settings
Security can be complicated with your smartphone, especially for Android users.
What are some of the best ways to keep your device (and yourself!) safe from nefarious actors, illegal surveillance, and malware?
Our sponsor, ExpressVPN, recently shared five easy ways to configure your Android device for a safer and more private experience. All of them should be on your list if they aren’t already.
Hide your Google location history
The first to-do on this list brings a few obvious benefits. Your location history could leave you vulnerable to stalkers in a worst-case scenario. Creepy? Yes, and Google has been tracking your location since you first started using Google Maps.
Unless you rely on your Google location history for one reason or another, you should disable it. Here’s how:
- Open Settings.
- Tap Privacy > Google location history.
- Tap Turn off.
- Scroll down and tap Pause.
After doing this, you’ll be asked if your old data should be flushed. Tap Delete old activity and hit Got it to seal the deal.
While ExpressVPN does note that you would need a VPN to hide your location entirely, your Google profile will be separated through this method.
Cleanse your permission manager
After years of using an Android device, apps tend to pile up. At one point, many needed permission to use the camera, microphone, or contacts.
You can keep access to your device exclusive by revoking permission for odds and ends you don’t use anymore. It’s an excellent solution for apps you rarely use but not every day.
How to erase everything Google knows about you
Ever notice how Google always seems to know exactly what you’re looking for? It’s no coincidence. Google knows what you’re interested in, what you search for, where you go and much, much more about who you are. How? Because of all the data you share.
The privacy secret the streaming services don't want you to know
How much time do you spend binging your favorite shows on streaming services? If you don’t know, check with Netflix, Hulu or Roku — because these companies certainly do.
Streaming services collect user data the same way social media companies do. But unlike social media companies, streaming services have in-depth knowledge about your tastes and viewing habits. Tap or click here to see how long it takes to binge-watch the most popular shows on streaming.