Smartphones have given companies surveillance abilities that earlier generations would have found remarkable. The limits of desktops and clunky laptops disappeared when phones began going everywhere with us, equipped with GPS, cameras, microphones, accelerometers and constant connections. Each of these can generate data, and much of that data leaves the device. This article explains what your phone sends in 2026, who receives it and the settings that make the biggest difference.
1. What your phone sends, all day
Location. GPS, Wi-Fi networks, Bluetooth beacons and cell towers all help determine where you are. Apps with permission can request location frequently, sometimes in the background.
Device identifiers. Your phone has an advertising ID, hardware identifiers and software identifiers that apps and ad networks can use to recognize you across services.
Network information. Your IP address, carrier and Wi-Fi names reveal approximate location and habits.
App activity. Which apps you open, for how long and what you do inside them.
Contacts and calendar. If permitted, apps may upload your address book or schedule.
Photos and files. Metadata can include location, time and device.
Sensor data. Motion, orientation and sometimes microphone or camera access.
Diagnostics. Crash reports and usage analytics sent to makers and developers.
Our article smartphone privacy best practices covers settings in more detail.
2. Who receives it
Your mobile carrier knows when your phone connects to which towers, and regulators have taken action over the sale of location data. The Federal Communications Commission explains carrier obligations at fcc.gov.
Phone and operating system makers receive diagnostics and sometimes usage data, and run the app stores.
App developers receive whatever you permit and whatever their code collects.
Advertising and analytics networks embedded in apps collect identifiers, location and behavior.
Data brokers buy or license location and device data and combine it with other sources. See why protecting your geographic data matters.
Governments can obtain data through legal process or, in some cases, purchase. Read does our government buy our private data.
Curious what’s already out there? Wiperts’ 100% Free Diagnosis shows which data brokers are listing your name, home address and phone number. Check your exposure free — it takes about a minute.
3. Why this matters
Location data reveals home, work, health visits, places of worship and relationships. Combined with other data, it can identify individuals even when names are removed. For people at risk of stalking or harassment, a leaked location can be dangerous. For everyone, it feeds profiling and targeted advertising.
The Federal Trade Commission has brought actions against companies that sold sensitive location data and publishes guidance at ftc.gov. Data may also be exposed in breaches. See what is a data breach.
4. Setting 1: Location
Open your phone’s location settings. Turn off location for apps that do not need it. For others choose While using the app or Ask next time, and turn off Precise location where approximate location is enough. Disable Always for all but safety or navigation apps you rely on. Review location history and delete it or turn it off. Check system services that use location for advertising and analytics. Our guide how to keep your location private and safe has more.
5. Setting 2: Advertising ID and tracking
On iPhone, use the App Tracking Transparency settings to deny tracking requests, and turn off Personalized Ads. On Android, delete your advertising ID or opt out of ads personalization in Privacy settings. These changes do not stop ads, but they limit cross-app profiling.
6. Setting 3: Permissions
Review permissions for contacts, photos, microphone, camera, Bluetooth, local network and files. Use the privacy dashboard to see which apps have accessed what. Remove permissions an app does not need. For photos, choose Selected photos instead of full access. Read how to find out if your newest phone app is sharing your private data.
7. Setting 4: Apps and updates
Delete apps you do not use; see why you should cut back on app downloads. Turn on automatic updates for the operating system and apps, since updates fix security flaws. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency recommends prompt updates and strong screen locks at cisa.gov.
8. Setting 5: Network habits
Use mobile data or a trusted network for sensitive tasks, and avoid entering passwords on public Wi-Fi. Turn off Wi-Fi and Bluetooth auto-connect for unknown networks. A reputable VPN can protect traffic on untrusted networks, but it does not stop app tracking.
9. Setting 6: Lock and recover
Use a strong passcode with biometrics. Turn on Find My iPhone or Find My Device, so you can lock or wipe a lost phone. Add a carrier PIN to prevent SIM swaps, and use authenticator apps or passkeys instead of text codes where possible.
10. What your phone cannot hide
Even with careful settings, your carrier knows your approximate location when the phone is connected, and your IP address reveals a general area. Receipts, loyalty cards and public Wi-Fi add data. That is why it helps to reduce what is publicly linked to you: people-search sites publish your name with your address and phone number, which lets others connect device-level information to your identity. Remove those listings using official opt-outs such as spokeo.com/optout, suppression.peopleconnect.us and thatsthem.com/optout. California residents can use DROP at privacy.ca.gov/drop. Also see how to remove your cell phone number from the internet.
11. Protecting children’s phones
Children’s phones deserve extra attention. Review app permissions together, turn on content and purchase limits, disable location sharing with strangers and discuss what is safe to share. The Federal Trade Commission has information for parents at consumer.ftc.gov. Use family sharing tools thoughtfully and tell your child what is monitored.
12. Resources if your phone is used against you
If someone installs stalkerware or monitors your phone, signs include rapid battery drain, unexplained data use and settings changed. Use a safe device to seek help, document what you see and contact local police. The Department of Justice stalking resources are at justice.gov. Report online crime at ic3.gov. See how to protect against stalkers.
13. A worked example
Dev opens his phone’s privacy dashboard and finds 11 apps with background location and 6 with microphone access. He switches location to while-using for most, removes microphone from four apps, deletes his advertising ID and turns off personalized ads. He deletes 25 apps he does not use. He then searches his name and opts out of seven people-search sites. The next quarter he repeats the review in 30 minutes.
14. Myths about phone data
“Location off means untrackable.” Other signals remain. “Incognito mode hides phone data.” It affects the browser history only. “Only criminals worry about this.” Everyone benefits. “Factory reset removes everything.” Server-side data remains.
15. Understanding the carrier layer
No setting on your phone fully hides you from your mobile carrier. To deliver service, carriers must know which tower your device uses, and historically some sold or shared location data with aggregators. Regulators have acted: the Federal Communications Commission has fined carriers over improper sharing of customer location data, and the Federal Trade Commission has pursued data brokers that sold sensitive location information. Review your carrier’s privacy settings for marketing use of network data and opt out of personalized offers where it is offered. Request a PIN or passcode on your account, and ask whether the carrier supports number lock features that block unauthorized port-outs.
16. Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and nearby signals
Even with GPS disabled, your phone broadcasts and scans signals that can reveal your location. Stores use Bluetooth beacons and Wi-Fi probes to detect devices. Turn off Bluetooth and Wi-Fi scanning in location services when you do not need them, and forget networks you no longer use. On Android, review “Wi-Fi scanning” and “Bluetooth scanning” under location settings; on iPhone, review Location Services system options. Randomized hardware addresses, enabled by default on modern systems, help but depend on settings, so check that private address features are on for your networks.
17. Three scenarios
Scenario 1: You are at risk of stalking. Check for stalkerware, change account passwords and consider a new device.
Scenario 2: You sell your phone. Back up, sign out of accounts, factory reset and remove the device from your account.
Scenario 3: You travel often. Disable auto-join Wi-Fi, use a VPN on public networks and delay location-based posts.
18. What to expect: a realistic timeline
| Action | Time to do | When it takes effect |
|---|---|---|
| Location and permissions | 30 to 60 minutes | Immediate |
| Ad ID and tracking | 15 minutes | Immediate |
| App cleanup | 30 to 60 minutes | Immediate |
| Broker opt-outs | 2 to 4 hours | Days to 4 weeks |
| Reviews | 30 minutes | Every 60 to 90 days |
19. Common mistakes
- Granting Always location by default.
- Ignoring the advertising ID.
- Never updating the operating system.
- Assuming a VPN covers everything.
- Leaving public listings that tie your phone to your address.
20. How Wiperts helps with what your phone cannot control
Wiperts scans more than 100 data brokers and people-search sites, submits removal requests, asks Google and Bing to remove personal results, blurs your home on maps and monitors 24/7 so relisted data is removed again.
See what is linked to your phone number and address.
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21. Key takeaways
- Phones send location, identifiers and app activity to many parties.
- Limit location, reset the advertising ID, trim permissions and update.
- Know the limits of settings, VPNs and airplane mode.
- Remove public listings that tie your device to your identity.
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22. Frequently Asked Questions
What does my smartphone send?
Location, device and advertising identifiers, IP address, app usage, contacts if permitted, network details, crash reports and sometimes sensor data. Carriers also see your connection and approximate location.
Who receives this data?
Your carrier, phone maker, operating system provider, app developers, advertising and analytics firms and sometimes data brokers who buy location and device data.
Can I stop my phone from tracking me?
You can limit it. Restrict location, reset the advertising ID, deny unneeded permissions, turn off personalized ads and delete apps you do not use. You cannot stop the carrier from knowing your approximate location.
Is airplane mode or turning off location enough?
Airplane mode stops transmission while on. Turning off location stops GPS requests but other signals such as Wi-Fi and IP address can still suggest location.
Do VPNs stop phone tracking?
A VPN hides your IP from sites but does not stop app-level identifiers, account logins or carrier knowledge of your location.
How often should I review phone privacy?
Every 60 to 90 days and after major operating system updates.
Sources
- fcc.gov
- ftc.gov
- cisa.gov
- spokeo.com/optout
- suppression.peopleconnect.us
- thatsthem.com/optout
- privacy.ca.gov/drop
- consumer.ftc.gov
- justice.gov
- ic3.gov
Related Reading
- Smartphone Privacy Best Practices: 15 Settings and Habits for 2026
- Privacy Settings on iPhone and Android: What to Change Today
- iPhone Privacy Settings to Turn Off or Tighten Now
- How to Secure Privacy on Your Phone: A Practical 2026 Checklist
- Why You Should Cut Back on App Downloads
- How to Keep Your Location Private and Safe
- How to Find Out If a Phone App Is Sharing Your Private Data
- Why Protecting Your Geographic Data Matters
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