Audit your smartphone privacy settings

Smartphone

Smartphones:

• Limit ad tracking: 👈 👈 👈

  • iPhone: Settings → Privacy → Tracking → Allow Apps to Track = OFF
  • Android:
    1. Go to Settings → Google → Privacy → Ads
    2. Select Opt out of Ads Personalization and Delete Advertising ID.

• Audit app permissions: 👈 👈 👈

  • Turn off unnecessary location, microphone, camera, Bluetooth access.
  • Use While Using App instead of Always when location is needed for map programs or others that can have it.
  • Disable location data in smartphone camera so that images do not save location data:
    • iOS:
      1. Settings → Privacy & Securty → Location Services
      2. Find the Camera app.
      3. Choose Never to prevent the Camera app from recording location data in any new photos.

• Adblocking on Smartphones:

  • NextDNS provides filtered DNS that you can configure as you need it. Once you tell your iPhone to use it as default DNS server, it will use this wherever you are in the world. NextDNS Setup Guide. (It's free for basic use).

• Update your OS and apps regularly (security patches matter).

• Use long, non-personal PINs and passwords: Avoid using obvious patterns (123456, 654321, etc.) and don't use anyone's birthday.

• Enable full device encryption (enabled by default on modern iPhones and Android phones).

  • One can enable encryption for iCloud data by enabling Advanced Data Protection

• Use encrypted messaging (e.g. Signal)

• iCloud Privacy Relay is something Apple provides. When enabled, no one can tie your traffic to your IP (including Apple). This makes it better than a VPN. Consider enabling it in situations where you're on an untrusted network or don't trust your ISP.

• If you are attending a protest and do not want your smartphone to tie to you that location, do not bring it with you. This is the best thing you can do.

• If you are entering the US border, read about how to safeguard the data on your devices