The Privacy Settings Worth Changing on Every Device You Own

Every smartphone, laptop, tablet, and smart device collects some level of personal information. While much of that data is used to improve features and personalize your experience, many devices also enable settings by default that share more information than most people realize.

The good news is that you don’t need to stop using technology to protect your privacy. Spending just a few minutes reviewing your device settings can significantly reduce unnecessary data collection while keeping your devices convenient to use.

Review app permissions regularly

Many apps request access to your location, camera, microphone, contacts, photos, or files—even when they don’t need those permissions to function.

Take time to review every app installed on your devices and remove permissions that aren’t necessary. For example, a weather app may need your location while you’re using it, but it probably doesn’t need continuous access throughout the day.

Many operating systems also allow you to grant permissions only while an app is in use. Choosing this option provides greater privacy without affecting normal functionality.

Reviewing permissions every few months helps ensure apps aren’t collecting more information than you’re comfortable sharing.

Limit location tracking

Location data is one of the most valuable types of personal information collected by modern devices.

Check which apps have access to your location and disable background tracking whenever it isn’t required. Many navigation or ride-sharing apps only need your location while actively in use.

You should also review system-level location settings that may store location history or allow personalized services based on your movements. Turning off features you don’t use reduces unnecessary data collection while extending battery life on many devices.

Sharing your location selectively gives you more control over your personal information.

Strengthen your account security

Privacy and security go hand in hand.

Enable two-factor authentication wherever it’s available, especially for email accounts, banking apps, cloud storage, and password managers. This adds an extra layer of protection even if your password is compromised.

Use strong, unique passwords for each account instead of reusing the same password across multiple services. A password manager can help generate and securely store complex passwords without requiring you to memorize them all.

Keeping your devices updated with the latest software is equally important, as updates often include security patches that protect against newly discovered vulnerabilities.

Reduce advertising and tracking

Many devices include settings that allow companies to personalize advertisements based on your activity.

You can usually limit ad personalization, reset your advertising identifier, or disable certain forms of tracking through your device’s privacy settings. While this won’t eliminate all advertising, it can reduce the amount of data used to build advertising profiles.

Modern browsers also offer privacy features such as blocking third-party cookies, preventing cross-site tracking, and sending requests that limit tracking where supported.

These settings provide greater control over how your online activity is monitored across websites and apps.

Protect your connected devices

Privacy isn’t limited to phones and computers. Smart TVs, voice assistants, security cameras, smart speakers, and other connected devices also collect information.

Review the privacy settings for each smart device in your home. Disable features you don’t use, such as voice recordings, usage analytics, or personalized recommendations if they aren’t important to you.

Whenever possible, place smart home devices on secure Wi-Fi networks protected by strong passwords and keep their firmware updated to reduce security risks.

The more connected devices you own, the more important regular privacy reviews become.

Build simple privacy habits

Changing a few settings is a great start, but good privacy also depends on everyday habits.

Download apps only from trusted sources, be cautious when granting permissions, avoid clicking suspicious links, and review your privacy settings after major software updates. Companies occasionally introduce new features or reset certain preferences, making periodic reviews worthwhile.

It’s also helpful to think before sharing personal information online. Once data is uploaded or posted publicly, it can be difficult—or impossible—to remove completely.

Perfect privacy isn’t realistic in today’s digital world, but better privacy is. By reviewing app permissions, limiting location tracking, strengthening account security, reducing unnecessary data sharing, and developing smart digital habits, you can significantly improve your online privacy without giving up the convenience of modern technology. Small changes made today can have a lasting impact on protecting your personal information tomorrow.