Privacy Breach: See how to stop Facebook, Apple and Google from tracking your every move

Technology companies have been hit by numerous revelations about how poorly they protect their customers’ personal information.

The underlying problem is that most people don't understand how tracking really works.

The technology companies haven't helped teach their customers about it, either.
In fact, they've intentionally hid important details to build a multi-million dollar data economy based on an ethically questionable notion of informed consent.

Most companies disclose their data protection practices in a "privacy policy." Most software requires users to click a button saying they accept the terms before using the program.

But people don’t always have a free choice.

Instead, it’s a 'take-it-or-leave-it' agreement, in which a customer can use the service only if they agree.

Anyone who actually wants to understand what the policies say finds the details are buried in long legal documents unreadable by nearly everyone, perhaps except the lawyers who helped create them. The question now is, how many people read such a long boring article before rushing to click the "I Agree" button?

Often, these policies will begin with a blanket statement like 'your privacy is important to us.'

However, the actual terms describe a different reality.

There are a few situations where mobile platform companies like Apple and Google have let people exercise some control over data collection.

For example, both companies’ mobile operating systems let users turn off location services, such as GPS tracking. Ideally, this should prevent most apps from collecting your location, but it doesn't always.

App makers are also able to persuade users not to turn off location services, again with take-it-or-leave-it notifications.

When managing privileges for iOS apps, users get to choose whether the app can access the phone’s location 'always,' 'while using the app' or 'never.'

But changing the setting can trigger a discouraging message: "We need your location information to improve your experience," Lol.

How can you find and delete where Google knows you've been?

Even if you have 'Location History' off, Google often stores your precise location.

Here's how to delete those markers and some best-effort practices that keep your location as private as possible, though simply connecting to the internet on any device flags an IP address that can be geographically mapped. Smartphones also connect to cell towers, so your carrier knows your general location at all times.

To disable tracking on any device, follow the below steps.

Launch your browser and go to myactivity.google.com. You'll need to be logged into Google.

On the upper left drop-down menu, go to 'Activity Controls.' Turn off both 'Web & App Activity' and 'Location History.'

That should prevent precise location markers from being stored to your Google account.
Google will warn you that some of its services won't work as well with these settings off.

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.

Go to Settings Privacy Location Services and from there select Google Maps to make the adjustment.

In the Safari web browser, consider using a search engine other than Google.

Under Settings Safari Search Engine, you can find other options like Bing or DuckDuckGo.

You can turn location off while browsing by going to Settings Privacy Location Services Safari Websites, and turn this to 'Never.'

This still won't prevent advertisers from knowing your rough location based on IP address on any website.

You can also turn Location Services off to the device almost completely from Settings Privacy Location Services.

 Both Google Maps and Apple Maps will still work, but they won't know where you are on the map and won't be able to give you directions.

Emergency responders will still be able to find you if the need arises.

On Android

Under the main settings icon click on 'Security & location.' Scroll down to the 'Privacy' heading. Tap 'Location.' You can toggle it off for the entire device.

Use 'App-level permissions' to turn off access to various apps.

Unlike the iPhone, there is no setting for 'While Using.'

You cannot turn off Google Play services, which supplies your location to other apps if you leave that service on.

Sign in as a 'guest' on your Android device by swiping down from top and tapping the downward-facing cursor, then again on the torso icon.

 Be aware of which services you sign in on, like Chrome. You can also change search engines even in Chrome.

To delete past location tracking on any device

On the page myactivity.google.com, look for any entry that has a location pin icon beside the word 'details.'

Clicking on that pops up a window that includes a link that sometimes says 'From your current location.'

Clicking on it will open Google Maps, which will display where you were at the time.
You can delete it from this popup by clicking on the navigation icon with the three stacked dots and then 'Delete.'

Some items will be grouped in unexpected places, such as topic names, google.com, Search, or Maps.

You have to delete them item by item. You can wholesale delete all items in date ranges or by service, but will end up taking out more than just location markers.

Credit: Daily Mail UK.