Preventing Data Theft on Your Phone from Advertisers

When using smartphones to browse the web, we easily become targets for collecting personal information. Whether you're using Android, iOS, or Windows Phone, all operating systems find ways to track what you're doing and use that information for advertising. But don't worry too much, with just a few steps, we can reduce the amount of tracking ads and tell advertisers exactly what you need.

Preventing Data Theft on Your Phone from Advertisers

Preventing Phone Data Theft

For iPhone and iPad

Step 1: Open Settings

Step 2:  Scroll down and select Privacy

Step 3: Scroll to the bottom and choose Advertising

Step 4: Enable Limit Ad Tracking

Step 5: Below the Limit Ad Tracking section, select Reset Advertising Identifier..., then press Reset Identifier on the pop-up window (this will sever any relationship between your phone and any profiles you may have with advertisers)

For Android Devices

Step 1: Open the Google Settings app (pre-installed by Google, not in the Android Settings)

Step 2: Open the Ads section

Step 3: Choose Opt out of interest-based ads

Step 4: Select Reset advertising ID

For Windows Phone Devices

Unlike iOS and Android, the easiest way to block phone data theft by opting out of ad tracking on Windows Phone is by accessing the website

You'll need to sign in with a Microsoft account, then find the second empty box named “Personalized ads wherever I use my Microsoft account” and select Off.

This article guides you on preventing phone data theft from advertisers. Wishing you success in implementing these steps.