How to Stop Facebook, Apple and Google Tracking Your Every Move

Cellularcompanies, smartphone makers, app developers and social media companies allclaim they have users' permission to conduct near-constant personalsurveillance. Problem is, most people don't understand how tracking reallyworks.

Apple and Google let people exercise some control over data collection, liketurning off location services, like GPS tracking. Ideally, this should preventmost apps from collecting your location – but it doesn't always.


HOW CAN YOU FIND AND DELETE WHERE GOOGLE KNOWS YOU'VE BEEN?

Even if you have 'Location History' off, Google often stores your preciselocation. 
Here's how to delete those markers and some best-effort practices that keep yourlocation as private as possible.

To disable tracking on any device
Fire up your browser and go to myactivity.google.com. You'll need to be loggedinto Google. On the upper left drop-down menu, go to 'Activity Controls.' Turnoff both 'Web & App Activity' and 'Location History.'  That shouldprevent precise location markers from being stored to your Google account.

On iOS
If you use Google Maps, adjust your location setting to 'While Using' the app.This will prevent the app from accessing your location when it's not active. Goto Settings Privacy Location Services and from there select Google Maps to makethe adjustment. You can turn location off while browsing by going to SettingsPrivacy Location Services Safari Websites, and turn this to 'Never.' Thisstill won't prevent advertisers from knowing your rough location based on IPaddress on any website.

‍