Many apps track your activities nowadays however this doesn’t mean that you can’t take action about it.
Every day apps monitor what we’re doing on our devices and transmit this information to distant servers. We’re aware that this is happening but there’s no easy solution for us to stop this. With the right tools that you can get rid of a lot of this monitoring.
1. Look up the app’s Play Store Description
In the past, Google has done a better job of revealing the extent to which apps share information with third parties, and the kind of data it gathers. You can determine if app developers have taken steps to protect your data by encrypting data during transit or permitting you to remove your account.
This information can be found when you visit the application’s Play Store page and scrolling down to the “Data safety” section. Google’s data will help you identify whether an app tracks you but it does not give you a method to block it. If you’re looking to block the application from following you, you’ll have to use third-party tools which we’ll cover in the next section.
2. Aurora Store
Aurora is an alternative method to download and access Play Store apps. With Aurora you can download apps in a safe way without having to sign up for an account with a Google account. This is a huge benefit in terms of privacy, since nobody keeps a record of all apps you’ve installed. However, you can restrict monitoring further by using the additional details that it divulges about the apps.
When you open the app’s page in Aurora there’s an “Privacy” section that lists the trackers in the application. If you scroll even further you’ll also find the “Permission” section that lists the exact permissions the app needs.
You cannot block tracking with Aurora however it will aid in identifying the apps you should avoid. It also helps you determine which trackers require blocking with other methods and the appropriate permissions to remove.
Download: Aurora Store (Free)
3. Net Guard
When you’re prepared to take the action in yourself, you’re ready to install Net Guard. It’s a firewall application that doesn’t need the user to root their device. With Net Guard you are able to monitor every single traffic that flows into and out of your device and disable the app.
As a by default Net Guard allows you to block all traffic at the app level. This is a great feature for applications that can be used offline, but they could be susceptible to leak information about you such as sketchy photo editing applications that offer useful functions but also monitor your movements. If you’d like to prevent others from gathering any data about how you use your smartphone, Net Guard lets you block systems-level services too. It also includes Google Play Services.
By blocking Google Play Services lets you remove Google Play Services from your device, in a way, without needing to deal with the hassle of installing an ROM that is custom. Be aware that doing this could cause a disruption to some of the functions you’ve never heard of for example, the possibility of receiving push notifications from specific apps.
Net Guard can also be more precise, allowing users to block certain types of connections. This is useful when you want to use an application but wish to block its background monitoring.
Download: NetGuard (Free, in-app purchases available)
4. DuckDuckGo Private Browser
NetGuard can be complicated and overwhelming. If you’d like to stop third-party tracking but not go involved, check out DuckDuckGo’s App Tracking Protection. It is possible to activate this feature and be confident that it will shield your privacy from the rigors of tracking by third parties.
Utilizing DuckDuckGo as your preferred browser prevents certain tracking that you come across when surfing the internet. There isn’t a guarantee of security however it’s the most straightforward option to limit tracking, without putting all of your internet traffic through using a VPN.
Download DuckDuckGo Private Browser (Free)
Stop App Tracking its Tracks
In reading about the massive quantity of online tracking we’re subjected to it’s not difficult to be overwhelmed and feel be unable to function. But that doesn’t mean that we don’t have a choice to stop it.
When you’re out and about with the SIM card is always giving someone access to keeping an eye on us, it does not mean that we have to allow thousands of companies this ability. You can block them, while using your smartphone to do the things you want to do.