Privacy has become a topic that most users are very aware of. This is largely because many companies have agreed to use different types of information to target advertisements to users. For example, many sites use location information to refine the advertisements they serve to you. But it’s not just about ads. Companies also use your location to offer you specific information that you may or may not want.
If this type of behavior continues, your information will most likely be used for other purposes, which may not be as harmless as advertisements and information.
If you’ve found that certain sites are untrustworthy in their use of your data, or you’re beginning to realize how important your privacy is, consider denying those sites access to your location.
Most web browsers are configured to always ask for your permission to use your location. That’s fine, but if you accidentally allow access to a site (and forget you did) every time you visit that site, it will continue to have access to your location.
If you’re using Apple’s Safari browser, there’s a handy way to change the configuration of any site open in a tab. Let me show you how.
How to block site-by-site location
The only thing you will need is an Apple device equipped with an updated version of Safari. The demonstration will be done on a MacBook Pro, equipped with version 16.3.
1. Open Safari Preferences
- Click on Safari in the menu bar.
- Then click on Preferences
Access the Safari Preferences window through the menu bar. Screenshot by ZDNET France
2. Navigate to Location
Click on the tab Web sitesthen on Location in the left sidebar.
Here you can configure access to a number of services and features. Screenshot by ZDNET France
3. Disable the location of each open site
In the section Location, you will notice that all currently open websites (in the current tab group) are listed. By default, the location permission for each of these sites is set to Ask.
Click on the drop-down menu Ask for any site you suspect is using your location information in a way you want to block and then select Refuse. If you have sites open in another tab group, you’ll need to close Settings, switch to the other tab group, reopen Settings, and configure those sites.
How do you prevent all other sites from accessing your location?
Now that you’ve selected the necessary access permissions for open sites, you can configure Safari to block access to your location data for all sites you visit. To do this, simply click on the drop-down menu When accessing other websites (in the lower right corner of the section Location of the section Preferences) and select “Decline”. Also keep in mind that you can go to the sidebar and select any other services (like autoplay, camera, microphone, and screen sharing) and deny sites access to those functions as well.
It is important that you take your privacy seriously. You never know when your location information may be used against you. When it comes to your online privacy, prevention is better than cure.
Source: “ZDNet.com”