Delete immediately: These 3 apps track you wherever you go

• Your location reveals a lot about your habits and everyday life.
• Cybercriminals, as well as app manufacturers, want to take advantage of this information.
• If you delete these applications, you will regain your privacy.

No matter whether you have an iOS or Android device, you can find applications in the corresponding app store that will make your everyday life easier or simply help you pass the time. However, you should not download every software. Because many of them collect valuable data about you and thus harm your privacy. One of the most sought-after pieces of information is your location.

The greatest danger comes from fake apps that are infected with malware and spy on your cell phone. But you shouldn’t blindly trust reputable and widespread applications either. They also collect and evaluate your data. However, they do not pursue any criminal goals that would directly harm you. However, the manufacturers sell your data to third parties who then show you targeted advertising. Your location plays a crucial role.

Not everyone needs to know where you are

This analysis of data takes place with your consent and is usually necessary for the applications to function properly. But there are also apps that track your every move via your activated location, although this is not relevant to the actual function of the program. With such apps, it’s worth thinking about uninstalling them, even if it’s difficult. We’ll show you what type of software this can be the case with.

Fitness apps

Health applications need to collect a lot of data about you. Only if you are informed about your sleep, your diet and your activities can your corresponding fitness goals be achieved. When you run or cycle, your location is also recorded. If your fitness app comes from an unknown manufacturer, this can have serious consequences.

The chances of this data ending up in the wrong hands are significantly greater. If this happens, strangers can use this information to quickly get a picture of your everyday life and know exactly when you are not at home.

Therefore, take a look at your health app and check whether all safety precautions are taken by the manufacturer. If this is not the case, we advise you to delete the application.

Social media apps

Your location also plays an important role on social media. On Instagram or Facebook you can mark where you are in photos and stories. But the function is also regularly used in messengers like WhatsApp when you share your current location with friends.

This may be practical, but it also poses dangers. If you have a public profile, not only your friends but also dubious people know that you are not at home at the moment. The platforms also like to sell your location-related data to third parties.

Navigation apps

Logically, sat navs need to access your location data so that you can get to your destination with the correct directions. Here, too, it is better to use apps from larger or secured manufacturers.

But even that is no guarantee that your data will not be misused. If the navigation app saves your location history, the manufacturers can also pass on this data to advertisers. They then know your typical routes and can therefore manipulate your consumption behavior more easily.

Not only your location-related data is collected by many applications, but also other personal information. Do you want to counteract this? This is easily possible with some tools.

When you surf the Internet, many sites collect your data and use it to tailor advertisements to you. If you don’t feel comfortable with this and want to withhold your data from third parties, it’s worth installing a VPN (Virtual Private Network). With such a service, your IP address is disguised and your data is redirected to secure servers.

This means you remain anonymous and no longer have to worry about your data falling into the hands of curious corporations. In addition, thanks to the secure internet connection, you are also protected from cyber attacks. There are other reasons for using a VPN.

The most convincing thing for many people is bypassing country restrictions. For example, if you select a server in the USA, you automatically have access to the streaming offerings from Netflix and Co. Film and series fans can discover a wide range of content that is not available in Germany.

A VPN cannot help you to find out in detail which of your data is used by which application. However, there is software that you can use to track your digital footprint. Bitdefender Digital Identity Protection is one of these programs.

The practical tool tells you which company collects your data and how they got it. This way you can see at a glance which apps you should delete and which websites pass on personal data. You can also object to the collection of your data directly in the program.

We are aware that many apps that use your location and probably pass it on to third parties have become an integral part of everyday life. Therefore, deleting these applications is not easy. But it is not necessarily necessary either. You can also deactivate the location via the settings as long as you are not using the software.

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