{"id":6546,"date":"2023-01-12T09:00:05","date_gmt":"2023-01-12T17:00:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/?p=6546"},"modified":"2024-01-24T02:22:45","modified_gmt":"2024-01-24T10:22:45","slug":"can-websites-track-your-phone","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/can-websites-track-your-phone\/","title":{"rendered":"Can Websites &amp; Apps Track Your Phone?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It\u2019s easier than ever for websites and apps to track your phone. You may not know it, but <strong>your phone contains information specifically designed to help third parties track you<\/strong>. It\u2019s called an advertising ID \u2013 it\u2019s unique to your device and every phone has one. <strong>Trackers can determine your location, browsing habits, and more<\/strong>. Some information, like your actual phone number, is harder to get a hold of. However, just because it isn\u2019t easy, doesn\u2019t mean it can\u2019t be done.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You may wonder why anyone would want to track your phone and what they\u2019re looking for. Better yet, <strong>how do you stop it?<\/strong> Don\u2019t worry, we have answers and<strong> ways you can prevent websites and apps from tracking your phone<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<a style=\"text-decoration: none;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/buy-vpn-online?conversionpoint=websites_track_phone\"><button class=\"bg-btn-1\"> Try Private Internet Access <\/button><\/a>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"background-color: #d5dde3; padding: 15px; border-radius: 10px; width: 500px;\">\n<h4>Table of Contents<\/h4>\n<a href=\"#whostracking\">Who\u2019s Tracking Your Phone?\n<\/a><br>\n<section style=\"text-indent: 15px;\"><a href=\"#mobiletrojans\">Mobile Trojans\n<\/a><\/section>\n<section style=\"text-indent: 15px;\"><a href=\"#phishingapps\">Phishing \n<\/a><\/section>\n<section style=\"text-indent: 15px;\"><a href=\"#spywareadware\">Spyware\/Adware \n<\/a><\/section>\n<a href=\"#whatinfo\">What Information Do Websites &amp; Apps Look For?<\/a><br>\n<a href=\"#ways\">Ways Websites &amp; Apps Use Your Phone Information\n<\/a><br>\n<a href=\"#whatwebsites\">What Websites &amp; Apps Have My Phone Number?<\/a><br>\n<section style=\"text-indent: 15px;\"><a href=\"#caniremove\">Can I Remove My Phone Number From the Internet? <\/a><\/section>\n<a href=\"#howtostop\">How to Stop Websites &amp; Apps From Tracking Your Phone<\/a><br>\n<section style=\"text-indent: 15px;\"><a href=\"#turnon\">Turn On \u201cDo Not Track\u201d<\/a><\/section>\n<section style=\"text-indent: 15px;\"><a href=\"#usemalware\">Use A Malware &amp; Tracker Blocker<\/a><\/section>\n<section style=\"text-indent: 15px;\"><a href=\"#installvpn\">Install A VPN<\/a><\/section>\n<section style=\"text-indent: 15px;\"><a href=\"#remove\">Remove Your Phone\u2019s Advertising ID<\/a><\/section>\n<section style=\"text-indent: 15px;\"><a href=\"#turnoff\">Turn Off Location Tracking<\/a><\/section>\n<a href=\"#keep\">Keep Your Phone Information Private<\/a><br>\n<a href=\"#faq\">FAQ<\/a><br>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"whostracking\"><strong>Who\u2019s Tracking Your Phone?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Apps you use, websites you visit, and even your phone provider<\/strong> could be tracking your phone. It\u2019s not hard to spot the signs of tracking either \u2013 <strong>often you\u2019ll receive odd text messages or calls from unknown numbers.<\/strong> If a cybercriminal compromises your device, you may notice random reboots or strange noises during phone calls.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Never respond to any message from a number you aren\u2019t familiar with<\/strong>, because it\u2019s possible the sender is phishing to see if it\u2019s an active number. Replying confirms it is. Double-check your contacts list and <strong>block the number when necessary<\/strong>. You can always unblock it later if you find out it\u2019s Grandma\u2019s new phone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">How can websites track your phone? Let\u2019s take a look at the most common forms of tracking and malware software websites and apps use to infiltrate your phone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"mobiletrojans\"><strong>Mobile Trojans<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Even harmless apps and other software can come with trojans. The malware <strong>attaches itself to software downloads<\/strong>, boarding your phone when you install an app. To help prevent this issue, <strong>only download apps from trusted sources<\/strong>, including the App Store, PlayStore, or the app\u2019s official website.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"phishingapps\"><strong>Phishing Apps<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One of the ways websites get your phone number is by including phishing apps with downloads. These apps <strong>disguise themselves as something else<\/strong> (e.g., games, eCommerce stores, and email services) on purpose to steal your information \u2014 or worse. Always <strong>check reviews, privacy policies, and terms of use for any app you\u2019re unsure of<\/strong> to avoid hoax apps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"spywareadware\"><strong>Spyware\/Adware\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Spyware\/adware refers to software or ads, which <strong>gather and relay your mobile information to third parties<\/strong> using your mobile network. You can help protect yourself against spyware and other forms of malware by <strong>installing an ad, tracker, and malware blocker<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<a style=\"text-decoration: none;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/buy-vpn-online?conversionpoint=websites_track_phone\"><button class=\"bg-btn-1\"> Stop Trackers Now <\/button><\/a>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"whatinfo\"><strong>What Information Do Websites &amp; Apps Look For?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/_DlEzza8pAXXVwG88_Tz7qu4LbOYr2eW2eKa6kuhC8NTz8f58Rh8fMMvHs_dzY8tEzWwUhLjFjpjPj1n2wgAaR1COKPJsCqUcbhaE5vFRZ8Zcf0JH4X2_Dd8bRQ9d58SI8YTVbt9Xy1ZNFfZAa_lCR-fKcMUCnrLTK7dzDE5SoUW0ZCrg4GbLgrza-Vb0A\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Shutterfly requires photo access, but many apps and sites don\u2019t.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The time people spent on social media apps sharing unique content accounted for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.insiderintelligence.com\/insights\/mobile-users-smartphone-usage\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">26% of mobile app time in 2021<\/a>. Think about it: where do you post most of your vacation photos, fancy restaurant dishes, new vehicle images, and family events? These <strong>events, locations, and images all help companies build a \u2018you\u2019 database \u2014 a place to store all the bits of information they collect about you<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Can websites track your phone? Absolutely. And it\u2019s not the only information they can access if you don\u2019t privatize your account. You provide much more if you aren\u2019t careful when downloading apps. Shady permissions requests can give third parties access to:\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Mobile OS version<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Product ID<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Contacts<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Location<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Messaging, browsing, and download habits<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Preferences<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>International Mobile Equipment ID (IMEI)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Email address<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Phone number<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"ways\"><strong>Ways Websites &amp; Apps Use Your Phone Information<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Cybercriminals and apps use your IMEI to gather more useful data, like personally identifiable information (PII), and infiltrate your network<\/strong>. PII can include your phone number, address, email, location, images, and messaging and browsing habits. While cybercriminals can manipulate this information to lock you out of your network, many apps and data thieves would rather use it against you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Most <strong>phishing apps and websites generally use your personal information to send you spam promotions, including links to websites wanting to steal your data<\/strong>. My personal favorite are robocallers. Usually, my warranty has expired for a car I never bought, or the IRS is placing a levy on my wages if I don\u2019t send them $500 in gift card payments. Aside from being annoying, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.helpnetsecurity.com\/2022\/05\/30\/spam-phone-scams-impact\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">these scam calls somehow manage to snare 33% of Americans<\/a> as victims \u2014 of those, 20% end up repeating the mistake.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A cybercriminal can use your email address to<strong> involve you or your contacts in phishing scams<\/strong>. With your IMEI, thieves can manipulate your network to <strong>make you a part of distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks<\/strong>, lock you out of your network, or use it as the base of operations for fraudulent activity. The banking information you store on your phone may make it easier for thieves to <strong>open lines of credit or run up fraudulent charges on your account<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<a style=\"text-decoration: none;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/buy-vpn-online?conversionpoint=websites_track_phone\"><button class=\"bg-btn-1\"> Increase Your Privacy <\/button><\/a>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"whatwebsites\"><strong>What Websites &amp; Apps Have My Phone Number?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Any website you provide your number to <\/strong>can retain your phone number \u2013 if they share it, it will depend on their logging and privacy policies. <strong>Some have practical reasons to request your phone number<\/strong>. Most shipping services and banks ask for your phone number to contact you in case of an issue, like a shipping delay or potentially fraudulent charge. <strong>Others spam you with robocalls or special deal texts.<\/strong>\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Adding your phone number to your social media accounts and then not making them private can also broadcast your number across the internet. So, <strong>how do you know what other websites and apps have your phone number<\/strong>, aside from the ones you gave it to? It can be tricky because <strong>doing a standard search (incognito or not) won\u2019t cut it<\/strong>. <strong>Many of the sites in the search results are clickbait<\/strong>, meant to make you think your number was found on the dark web or involved in a scam.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Paid services helping you determine which online sites have your number are usually expensive, though I did find a $1 for a 7-day <strong>trial deal on BeenVerified<\/strong>. The service allows you to pay with Venmo, PayPal, or GooglePay and the site uses SSL encryption \u2014 all nice from an anonymity standpoint. It also<strong> allows you to remove your information from background search sites<\/strong> (this includes your phone number). I found it easy to use and cancel when I was done.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"caniremove\"><strong>Can I Remove My Phone Number From the Internet?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You always have the option to <strong>remove your phone number from your accounts if it isn\u2019t mandatory<\/strong> information. <strong>Most search engines also have an opt-out option<\/strong>, which removes your phone number from search results.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Some apps claim to do this for you on all search engines, but your safest bet is to visit search engines personally. Fill out the form to have your personal information excluded from search results.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Contacting the site owner directly is an option<\/strong>, though you shouldn\u2019t expect a positive outcome to those requests. <strong>Services like Delete Me and Optery may also be useful to some extent<\/strong>, but again you will need to trust them with your name, phone number, and financial information before you see results.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The best way to<strong> <\/strong>keep your phone number private is to use preventative security measures and limit the sites you enter it on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"howtostop\"><strong>How to Stop Websites &amp; Apps From Getting Your Phone Number<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It\u2019s unrealistic to tell you to quit using your phone to access the internet and avoid location services altogether \u2014 it\u2019s also completely unnecessary. Not all websites or apps use your phone information recklessly, and many require location services to function properly.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You can <strong>limit which apps have permission to use specific phone services and turn off a few unneeded extras, <\/strong>which will minimize the odds of websites tracking your phone. Fortunately, you can protect your phone data without going to extremes by following the tips below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"turnon\"><strong>Turn On \u201cDo Not Track\u201d<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Disabling tracking on Android or iPhone can help increase your privacy, as <strong>it sends a request to all advertisers and websites not to track your online browsing habits<\/strong>. While deactivating tracking on your phone is beneficial, it isn\u2019t foolproof. <strong>Websites you visit still have the right to choose how they respond to tracking requests<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"background-color: #b6d7a8; padding: 10px; border-radius: 25px;\">\n  <ul><\/ul><ol>\n<h4><strong>How to Turn On \u201cDo Not Track\u201d for Chrome on Android<\/strong><\/h4><br>\n<li>Open the Chrome app and <strong>click on the three dots in the upper right-hand corner<\/strong> of the browser window.<\/li><br>\n    <figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/Gsh_UW00bEHcqcnBW6ZNGmVDYgk5ASfBKzlAHiMOZ7SK_xCCwVLvNw0Oo8_E3PyptqOQOUp9SaeENhfT7jylfE5C3Q5fwwr-Wtf0AFTSki6i8gasiyLMKETllfgWahVxiqJxW_woVeehcw_6IxVmc6456-N_Qtml6TvQF3j4SpJHORGSTEpnJuIPamDYMA\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Once you click you\u2019ll get a dropdown menu.<\/figcaption><\/figure><br>\n    <li>Choose <strong>\u2018Settings\u2019<\/strong> from the menu.<\/li><br>\n    <figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/6vmdmGyluHAKnaz4wj5kGEWlXRT5LZf9Zi0Iky9pe655MRBL2OndgOTURbpdllPolJhGvVbNjtuUDnhL3uolr6UUHrLqoC7hOc3UD9yDQBMFkq1CKhD4e5y9bANtW791qFaI54s_d8x8UXU1MMGKjN_bOTrc1VW6H2_Dh79jKMTfkCyNkswnjbSnUXEpyw\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">These are your Chrome settings.<\/figcaption><\/figure><br>\n    <li>Click on <strong>\u2018Privacy and Security\u2019<\/strong>.<\/li><br>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/fpu2IzJFQkyH8-8Zfq_MFo-E-iCt6Keo-8crFWjgJjHHWhdJRiAtDgXSnUAApsn38MOaiufsmY8TWQqOuS0T5iXZ1m4GPHKpTyt-Gp4YLB3FkrOqvfBJwlp5mXPxdlkT7F0rqnKrsHc0KiY2FWsyMmU27DBuc60ImZctQyFgOUy-1Xgw6ZCDaZoNNZ9ZMA\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">All changes made to your Privacy and security settings in Chrome are reversible.<\/figcaption><\/figure><br>\n<li>Select <strong>\u201cDo Not Track\u201d<\/strong>. (You can also turn on the <strong>\u2018Always use secure connections\u2019<\/strong> option from this menu for added protection.)<\/li><br>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/rzIB6XTJDjjwY7w30VAYhUC5S2l3rtv-4qLo8qJlqKb0oiF2RYKSw59-AeyxpgEA5FoVb-kSlAbVsL8ijO50xEjw5-RVDXKnX_cqjBdpUHcSNyL4PWSpcYgGRjsJvu39qFq1zZtmTJ4kld1IVESmtzNcUdIr0XI3xnCwbavPKaekQr1Ux5mmXqZqY4y4rg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Do Not Track\u2019 is off by default.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<li>Read the disclaimer, then <strong>press the button above to turn on \u201cDo Not Track\u201d<\/strong> for Chrome.<\/li><br>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/M8E_ziNHjBZrHWyiAMIoIhNNMVWQq1b5GDR86SCO-2e1qWsSt_5oY1iHI8pGxM6TZGY2BM5Yw8cR7cyx5cbnjbdFBPWrqLwYrGcVMotqtO0tuqFCsbPh1IeYmK9NHlPOWuOg6GR7vMP6dv3CiW28R_u_aXRF0yQLv6-q1XOCj5epOjNGhZS6qCwjjFBJ8Q\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Your request to stop tracking is sent.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/ol>\n\n    \n  <\/div> <br>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>On iOS 14+, you\u2019ll find tracking under \u2018Settings\u2019<\/strong>. Just click on the \u2018Settings\u2019 icon on your iPhone, choose \u2018Privacy\u2019 from the menu, and click on \u2018Tracking\u2019. Then turn off tracking for all apps or pick custom settings for individual apps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Once you deactivate tracking on your phone, <strong>exit any open windows and clear your browsing history, cookies, and cache, before using any apps<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"usemalware\"><strong>Use A Malware &amp; Tracker Blocker<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ad, malware, and tracker blockers <strong>stop third-party software from tracking you online<\/strong>. <strong>Once you enable the blocker, trackers can\u2019t use cross-site tracking<\/strong>. Trackers use well-known tracking URLs from across the internet to follow you from site to site. A blocker prevents trackers from accessing those URLs.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Blockers also stop adware, spyware, and other forms of bloatware from loading to your device and slowing your system down. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/buy-vpn-online?conversionpoint=websites_track_phone\"><strong>PIA MACE blocks trackers and malware<\/strong><\/a> at the DNS level \u2013 before it reaches your phone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"installvpn\"><strong>Install A VPN<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Once cybercriminals, websites, or apps have your IP address, they can locate your phone, discover your identity, or pinpoint your location. <strong>A VPN hides your true location by changing your visible IP address<\/strong>. This helps prevent advertisers, apps, and websites from tracking your location.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/buy-vpn-online?conversionpoint=websites_track_phone\"><strong>PIA gives you the choice between two unbreakable encryption methods<\/strong><\/a>: our default 128-bit AES or military-grade 256-bit AES. You can also use two of the most secure tunneling protocols available \u2013 OpenVPN and WireGuard\u00ae.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"remove\"><strong>Remove Your Phone\u2019s Advertising ID<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A mobile phone<strong> advertising ID uniquely identifies your device<\/strong>. Its only purpose is <strong>to allow companies and apps to track you<\/strong>. Unfortunately, they usually do it with third-party software. Who knows how many hands your data goes through before it gets where it\u2019s going.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">No matter how anonymous phone companies want you to believe it is, <strong>your advertising ID can pose serious threats to privacy<\/strong>. Some of these third-party trackers on websites can get your phone number, location, and email address. <strong>Removing it helps prevent many forms of tracking<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"background-color: #b6d7a8; padding: 10px; border-radius: 25px;\">\n  <ul><\/ul><ol>\n    <h4><strong>How to Delete Your Advertising ID on Android<\/strong><\/h4><br>\n<li><strong>Open \u2018Settings\u2019<\/strong> on your Android phone and <strong>select \u2018Google\u2019<\/strong>.<\/li><br>\n    <figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/yZI9xlm-Qt9BGQtU8FeO2G_bJeCqvVyFN9HY1OjesbixdDLzxyWvLtrDvKmbGWb2rRk0B5T17uYzrf_UgXtw28S6TgmAmjAobFhKFPky5VsDVZNyLrns2Go-zykru3nNdUxqTAQuVBaVYc8ElK-PMzfrBPhvufoGOOneU8OfGIxEBrrsmdHhFEXPTF2LzA\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Find Google to access your Ad ID.<\/figcaption><\/figure><br>\n<li>Click on <strong>\u2018Ads\u2019<\/strong>.<\/li><br>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/Ioadet-0VV48Deyt2wJ4YpwvkPr147DLzuFqGeyMXVSduQ6-O52QdExkoZOrWyl6qzgn41h_CXbHZe6WQvp7mizlXTfbacAoDBeLXop90gKjJjGGGYP4gqBAslL8TnGCVai72a8sJhf8iiBQPMKvfvGyeZ-Vd477UHc16dv5gn7LY75rnpC39Imz2sGKJg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The ads section contains all your preferred options for advertising.<\/figcaption><\/figure><br>\n<li>Click on <strong>\u2018Delete Advertising ID\u2019<\/strong>.<\/li><br>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/7tj4zmahWn4le-ddQ9miBxhU9nQZkrm7xW_uVPl0npLWq8Lc-nfG4DktUEzOD4jBQmFINZf_sniTmNlzCnXhhNHLz6Psmq6lABH0l-4hI6sVNlk-BUyNsnXNPeKHWhMEawNNvd7P_4oKyAsjCkJE-qJxSph05yBr1uk_ToTN0YqWhCZJxiEh2nUwyONKfw\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">You can get a new advertising ID in the Ads setting as well.<\/figcaption><\/figure><br>\n<li>Read the foreword, then <strong>press the \u2018Delete Advertising ID\u2019 button<\/strong>.<\/li><br>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/l_yLcEbGHCLcW0-RONXUgMXqzFuqACbZBYEKOocUV6VgfQRjC9wj6bHWdinhvX3VdOgrzoaRYUkwHKcyuf5MfoTXzRLBUqeUEBzDYtaAbPgWLgApepqBF4UKNuzHiHAoU5WgL6vnTfQX5ISgLUe7UJLM92p0Ryvl7Y53GHlMpd5mqAAXkFJx2-VGoYpdag\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">That\u2019s it, your ID is gone.<\/figcaption><\/figure><br>\n    <\/ol><\/div> <br>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For iOS, you can find your advertising ID under the \u2018Privacy\u2019 section in \u2018Settings\u2019. <strong>Select \u2018Apple Advertising\u2019 and then click on \u2018Turn off personalized ads\u2019<\/strong>. This doesn\u2019t delete your advertising ID, but it <strong>prevents apps and websites from bombarding you with ads<\/strong> based on recent purchases or browsing history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"turnoff\"><strong>Turn Off Location Tracking<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The list of apps needing your exact location is pretty small. Banking apps and geolocation services like Google Maps are two off the top of my head. <strong>Most apps work fine with an approximate location<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Even banking and geolocations services only need your location while you\u2019re using the app, which cuts back the amount of tracking they can do significantly. Luckily, <strong>you have a few options for location settings on both Android and iOS<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Android allows you to change location permissions in \u2018Settings\u2019<\/strong> \u2013 you can choose permissions by app or turn them off completely. You also have the option to <strong>prevent precise location for any app<\/strong>, as well as the ability to only allow location services while using the app.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">iOS doesn\u2019t offer as much flexibility for location services, but you can <strong>customize location preferences in \u2018Settings\u2019 under \u2018Privacy\u2019 on your iPhone<\/strong>. Turn location permissions off entirely or allow permissions on a per-app basis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"keep\"><strong>Keep Your Phone Information Private<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Anything you connect to the internet is trackable, including your mobile phone<\/strong>. You need to <strong>stay vigilant about who you give your phone number to, <\/strong>and increase your phone security to prevent tracking and data theft. Remove your number from any online accounts where it isn\u2019t mandatory, and <strong>use anti-tracking software like a blocker and VPN<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>You should enjoy your mobile device instead of worrying if someone else is<\/strong>. PIA can help. We provide a reliable VPN with two unbreakable encryption methods to choose from, and allow you to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/buy-vpn-online?conversionpoint=websites_track_phone\"><strong>stop trackers with our all-in-one blocker PIA MACE<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<a style=\"text-decoration: none;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/buy-vpn-online?conversionpoint=websites_track_phone\"><button class=\"bg-btn-1\"> Secure Your Phone Data <\/button><\/a>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"faq\"><strong>FAQ<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"schema-faq wp-block-yoast-faq-block\"><div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1673570170537\"><h3 class=\"schema-faq-question\">Can websites track your phone?<\/h3> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Yes. Some websites and apps include trackers with their downloads. A site might be legitimate, and unaware this software installs with their service. In many cases, <strong>the only way to ensure you remove stalkerware is a complete factory reset<\/strong>.\u00a0<br><br><a href=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/buy-vpn-online?conversionpoint=websites_track_phone\"><strong>PIA can help you avoid a reset<\/strong><\/a>. Our built-in ad, malware, and tracker blocker, <strong>MACE, stops threats before they reach your device<\/strong>. You can also include antivirus protection for a small additional fee.<br><br><\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1673570189461\"><h3 class=\"schema-faq-question\">What websites have my phone number?<\/h3> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\"><strong>Any site you entered your phone number on<\/strong>. Additional services may have it if you didn\u2019t <a href=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/ad-blocking-vpn\">use a tracker blocker<\/a> or read the site or app privacy policy closely.\u00a0<br><br><strong>Typing your number into a search engine <\/strong>to find out what sites it isn\u2019t a good idea. The results <strong>could send you to phishing sites<\/strong> who log your number the moment you enter it to search the services database.<br><br><\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1673570204584\"><h3 class=\"schema-faq-question\">Can a hacker get my phone number?<\/h3> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\"><strong>Yes<\/strong>. Once they do, they can use it to access your phone and steal more private information, infect your phone with malware, or send you phishing texts. Luckily, <strong>you can protect your phone number and the rest of your device<\/strong> with a few simple steps.<br><br>Create strong passwords, use fake answers to personal questions (especially information easy to find online, like your mother\u2019s maiden name), and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/stay-anonymous-online\">use PIA to help protect your digital identity<\/a>.<br><br><\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1673570217825\"><h3 class=\"schema-faq-question\">Why do websites need my phone number?<\/h3> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\"><strong>Most websites don\u2019t<\/strong>, but it doesn\u2019t stop them from asking for it. <strong>Some websites may need to contact you<\/strong> <strong>via phone if an issue arises<\/strong>. For instance, a bank may need to contact you with questions on suspicious transactions, or a shipping service notifying you of a delay.\u00a0<br><br>PIA has a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/vpn-features\/no-logs-vpn\">strict No Logs policy<\/a>, so <strong>we never share any of the identifying information you enter when you subscribe<\/strong>. Our site also uses SSL encryption, so the connection between you and our website remains secure.<br><br><\/p> <\/div> <\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Flooded with robocalls and random texts? Your phone could be compromised. Find out how to fight back and regain some privacy.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":73,"featured_media":23003,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_stopmodifiedupdate":false,"_modified_date":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[12,1],"tags":[685,423],"class_list":["post-6546","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-security","category-news","tag-mobile-ip-address","tag-telcos"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v26.9 (Yoast SEO v26.9) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Can Websites Track Your Phone?<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Flooded with robocalls and random texts? Your phone could be compromised. 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Find out how to fight back and regain some privacy.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/can-websites-track-your-phone\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"PIA\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/privateinternetaccess\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2023-01-12T17:00:05+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2024-01-24T10:22:45+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/prevent-phone-tracking-PIA-VPN.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1280\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"817\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Kristin Hassel\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@buyvpnservice\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@buyvpnservice\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Kristin Hassel\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"14 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/can-websites-track-your-phone\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/can-websites-track-your-phone\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Kristin Hassel\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/286e5fb351ecd2ce551e5fb44b547dee\"},\"headline\":\"Can Websites &amp; Apps Track Your Phone?\",\"datePublished\":\"2023-01-12T17:00:05+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2024-01-24T10:22:45+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/can-websites-track-your-phone\/\"},\"wordCount\":2646,\"commentCount\":1,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/can-websites-track-your-phone\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/prevent-phone-tracking-PIA-VPN.jpg\",\"keywords\":[\"mobile ip address\",\"telcos\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Cybersecurity\",\"General Privacy News\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/can-websites-track-your-phone\/#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":[\"WebPage\",\"FAQPage\"],\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/can-websites-track-your-phone\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/can-websites-track-your-phone\/\",\"name\":\"Can Websites Track Your Phone?\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/can-websites-track-your-phone\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/can-websites-track-your-phone\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/prevent-phone-tracking-PIA-VPN.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2023-01-12T17:00:05+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2024-01-24T10:22:45+00:00\",\"description\":\"Flooded with robocalls and random texts? 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Passionate about helping users of all experience levels find, utilize, and manage software solutions, she\u2019s experienced in a wide range of cybersecurity topics and strives to educate people about the importance of online security.\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/author\/kristinh\/\"},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/can-websites-track-your-phone\/#faq-question-1673570170537\",\"position\":1,\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/can-websites-track-your-phone\/#faq-question-1673570170537\",\"name\":\"Can websites track your phone?\",\"answerCount\":1,\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Yes. Some websites and apps include trackers with their downloads. A site might be legitimate, and unaware this software installs with their service. In many cases, <strong>the only way to ensure you remove stalkerware is a complete factory reset<\/strong>.\u00a0<br\/><br\/><a href=\\\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/buy-vpn-online?conversionpoint=websites_track_phone\\\"><strong>PIA can help you avoid a reset<\/strong><\/a>. Our built-in ad, malware, and tracker blocker, <strong>MACE, stops threats before they reach your device<\/strong>. You can also include antivirus protection for a small additional fee.<br\/><br\/>\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/can-websites-track-your-phone\/#faq-question-1673570189461\",\"position\":2,\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/can-websites-track-your-phone\/#faq-question-1673570189461\",\"name\":\"What websites have my phone number?\",\"answerCount\":1,\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"<strong>Any site you entered your phone number on<\/strong>. Additional services may have it if you didn\u2019t <a href=\\\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/ad-blocking-vpn\\\">use a tracker blocker<\/a> or read the site or app privacy policy closely.\u00a0<br\/><br\/><strong>Typing your number into a search engine <\/strong>to find out what sites it isn\u2019t a good idea. The results <strong>could send you to phishing sites<\/strong> who log your number the moment you enter it to search the services database.<br\/><br\/>\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/can-websites-track-your-phone\/#faq-question-1673570204584\",\"position\":3,\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/can-websites-track-your-phone\/#faq-question-1673570204584\",\"name\":\"Can a hacker get my phone number?\",\"answerCount\":1,\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"<strong>Yes<\/strong>. Once they do, they can use it to access your phone and steal more private information, infect your phone with malware, or send you phishing texts. Luckily, <strong>you can protect your phone number and the rest of your device<\/strong> with a few simple steps.<br\/><br\/>Create strong passwords, use fake answers to personal questions (especially information easy to find online, like your mother's maiden name), and <a href=\\\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/stay-anonymous-online\\\">use PIA to help protect your digital identity<\/a>.<br\/><br\/>\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/can-websites-track-your-phone\/#faq-question-1673570217825\",\"position\":4,\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/can-websites-track-your-phone\/#faq-question-1673570217825\",\"name\":\"Why do websites need my phone number?\",\"answerCount\":1,\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"<strong>Most websites don\u2019t<\/strong>, but it doesn\u2019t stop them from asking for it. <strong>Some websites may need to contact you<\/strong> <strong>via phone if an issue arises<\/strong>. For instance, a bank may need to contact you with questions on suspicious transactions, or a shipping service notifying you of a delay.\u00a0<br\/><br\/>PIA has a <a href=\\\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/vpn-features\/no-logs-vpn\\\">strict No Logs policy<\/a>, so <strong>we never share any of the identifying information you enter when you subscribe<\/strong>. Our site also uses SSL encryption, so the connection between you and our website remains secure.<br\/><br\/>\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Can Websites Track Your Phone?","description":"Flooded with robocalls and random texts? Your phone could be compromised. 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In many cases, <strong>the only way to ensure you remove stalkerware is a complete factory reset<\/strong>.\u00a0<br\/><br\/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/buy-vpn-online?conversionpoint=websites_track_phone\"><strong>PIA can help you avoid a reset<\/strong><\/a>. Our built-in ad, malware, and tracker blocker, <strong>MACE, stops threats before they reach your device<\/strong>. You can also include antivirus protection for a small additional fee.<br\/><br\/>","inLanguage":"en-US"},"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/can-websites-track-your-phone\/#faq-question-1673570189461","position":2,"url":"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/can-websites-track-your-phone\/#faq-question-1673570189461","name":"What websites have my phone number?","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"<strong>Any site you entered your phone number on<\/strong>. Additional services may have it if you didn\u2019t <a href=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/ad-blocking-vpn\">use a tracker blocker<\/a> or read the site or app privacy policy closely.\u00a0<br\/><br\/><strong>Typing your number into a search engine <\/strong>to find out what sites it isn\u2019t a good idea. The results <strong>could send you to phishing sites<\/strong> who log your number the moment you enter it to search the services database.<br\/><br\/>","inLanguage":"en-US"},"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/can-websites-track-your-phone\/#faq-question-1673570204584","position":3,"url":"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/can-websites-track-your-phone\/#faq-question-1673570204584","name":"Can a hacker get my phone number?","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"<strong>Yes<\/strong>. Once they do, they can use it to access your phone and steal more private information, infect your phone with malware, or send you phishing texts. Luckily, <strong>you can protect your phone number and the rest of your device<\/strong> with a few simple steps.<br\/><br\/>Create strong passwords, use fake answers to personal questions (especially information easy to find online, like your mother's maiden name), and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/stay-anonymous-online\">use PIA to help protect your digital identity<\/a>.<br\/><br\/>","inLanguage":"en-US"},"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/can-websites-track-your-phone\/#faq-question-1673570217825","position":4,"url":"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/can-websites-track-your-phone\/#faq-question-1673570217825","name":"Why do websites need my phone number?","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"<strong>Most websites don\u2019t<\/strong>, but it doesn\u2019t stop them from asking for it. <strong>Some websites may need to contact you<\/strong> <strong>via phone if an issue arises<\/strong>. For instance, a bank may need to contact you with questions on suspicious transactions, or a shipping service notifying you of a delay.\u00a0<br\/><br\/>PIA has a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/vpn-features\/no-logs-vpn\">strict No Logs policy<\/a>, so <strong>we never share any of the identifying information you enter when you subscribe<\/strong>. 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