In an earlier post, we have discussed the constant and growing grasp of the surveillance system where subconsciously we are exchanging data to numerous third-party marketers. “More than 1,000 apps have location-sharing capabilities, according to a 2018 report from mobile analysis firm Mighty Signal, including 1,200 in the Google Android store and 200 on Apple iOS” (Paul, 2016). Since now we know how we are contributing to the loss of our privacy in many ways, here we will dig into more details to discuss how we can safeguard ourselves.

Turn your location tracking off: Go to your phone’s settings option and see if your location tracking is on. Turn it off to reduce unwanted tracking. Apps while downloading: Most of the apps requires to access your location info while downloading. But if that is something not central to your app users, then don’t turn on your location access for that particular app. For example; you are downloading an app for photo editing or video creation, that app should not require location settings info but an app for weather
forecasting will. Also, it’s always better not to download any apps whimsically unless you
require or know well about the purpose of those apps. Because many of the apps can
automatically get install to your phone by not asking you to access information and as a result, your information can go public and trigger unwanted targeted marketing. So,

• Don’t share your location unless the app is location focused
• Don’t download unwanted apps unless you need
• Don’t keep unwanted apps in your mobile device (Always check on your apps!)

Sharing location via online platforms: Many people are sharing their online data via social media. But as we have discussed before hackers are always there to detect your online activity.
So, limiting location sharing via online can put you at risk for potential hacking.
Blocking online tracking: According to Federal Trade Commission Consumer Information,
“Plugins for blocking online browsing can prevent companies from using cookies or
fingerprinting to track consumers' internet behavior”. It is safe to use Plugins to control your browsing and limiting online tracking.
Don’t connect to public Wi-Fi: It’s very easy to get connected through public Wi-Fi when we
are living in a digital age. But here is the Alert! Don’t do it! Even if you are a person who always prefers this, don’t do it from now on. While using public Wi-Fi you are connecting to thousands of eyes who can have access to your data. It’s just like opening yourself to numerous viruses.

Use a VPN: When you use a VPN service you are not only encrypting the data but also you are choosing not to share your private data with a third party. When anyone requests a website, VPN sends data through a secured tunnel using the server's IP address which masks your real IP
address.
References:
Paul Kauri. (2018, Dec 16). Your apps are tracking you — here’s how to stop them. Retrieved
from https://www.marketwatch.com/story/your-apps-are-tracking-you-heres-how-to-stop-them-
2018-12-11
Online Tracking. (2016, June). Retrieved August 17, 2020, from
https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0042-online-tracking

Let’s assume, you are working on your dream body fitness project and enthusiastically following up XYZ app tracker. You are giving all the required information to that XYZ app since it is controlling your daily intake and workout plans. But did you ever presume what is occurring next? Your data is going global, maybe to thousands of other trackers who might use your data for targeted advertising or consumer profiling. According to The Washington Post, 5400 hidden apps can exchange data with third parties in a week (Fowler, 2019).

It’s not overwhelming that the Covid-19 pandemic has changed our regular lifestyle. We are persistently relying on the tech world. From office meetings to socialization everything is happening virtually. A virtual world is becoming a new world where millions of data are getting exchanged every moment. So, the question easily arises how safe are you in the age of digital surveillance? Especially when your everyday activities include dozens of mobile apps.

For instance, when you google for any medicine or insurance, the next minute you will see dozens of advertisements from popular insurance plans. The apps running in the background of your mobile can do this trick.

The location-sharing feature can automatically transfer your data to any third company. When you sign up with any ISP providers you give them the right to collect and distribute your data. In a report of Consumer Action,” users can check the location markers Google has gathered on their My Activity page (https://myactivity.google.com/)”. Moreover, users can view all the apps in their Google account that they already have given access to.

When you use a VPN service you are not only encrypting the data but also you are choosing not to share your private data with a third party. If you are speculating which VPN app to use, I would suggest Symlex VPN. Websites that you visit will only see the servers and IP addresses of the Symlex VPN. By choosing Symlex VPN, you simply choose data security.

References:

Fowler, Geoffrey (2019, May 28). It’s the middle of the night. Do you know who your iPhone is talking to? Retrieved from: https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2019/05/28/its-middle-night-do-you-know-who-your-iphone-is-talking/?noredirect=on
Location Tracking and Data Collection: Who’s tracking U.S. consumers, how much control do they have over their location privacy, and what laws currently protect their consumer rights? (2019, May 19). Retrieved on August 10, 2020 from; https://www.consumer-action.org/downloads/Location_Data_Report_5-19.pdf