On our smart phone devices, we tend to download a collection of different applications and generally do not pay much attention to the settings or properties within our phones that these apps tap in to. In many cases this puts the integrity of a devices privacy at risk and begs the question: are applications tracking my location? The simple answer is YES.

Today personal data is becoming increasingly valuable as we rely more on smart devices. Outside of traditional applications and GPS assistance, other risks to your data like spyware applications and hackers threaten the privacy of your devices. This stresses the importance of data privacy and understanding how your device data is being accessed so you can protect yourself.

Today, all smart phone devices include a GPS feature that is used to improve the accessibility of your device. The GPS creates geolocation data to provide navigation and a user experience tailored to your location. The built in GPS on our smartphones is enabled even when disconnected from the internet, giving access to your whereabouts any place and any time. For many this convenience is a benefit to the features they use every day, but for others the idea that their location is constantly being tracked is somewhat unsettling.

Many applications tap into this information as a sort of trade-off for using their free app. This serves as a way for these developers to profit from your information, tracking where you go and how long you go there and selling it to different companies.

More often than not, applications are regularly tracking your location. With the advancement of digital technology, our personal data has become a valuable resource for these companies. For many applications, tracking your location adds value to their service creating a more tailored experience and additional features for the user. For others is simply acts as a means for monetization.

Devices with Google Apps installed provide a vast array of tools for reporting data to Google. WiFi location, SIM card location, browser history, application usage (Gmail, Google Maps) and even application push notifications are all sent to Google for data harvesting. Google can even track devices with location data off. Third-party Android OS’s with microG enabled also face the same level of privacy invasion.

The only way to fully disable Google tracking in your device is to not have Google installed in the first place!

On all smart phone devices there is a tool that can be used to track your device’s location if it is lost or stolen. These tools do this by continuously checking or “pinging” your device’s location back to the operators’ servers. Your location is then logged while giving you the ability to see your smart phone’s location at any given time. While these features are in place for the convenience and security of your device, it also raises concerns

• Google’s Find My Device
• Samsung’s Find My Mobile
• Apple’s Find My iPhone

KONTACT OS is SELF MANAGED, providing users full device control without remote access from a UEM or MDM. Customization and licensing allow you to take complete control.

Permissions are in your hands — and your hands only.

KONTACT OS provides a helpful option to determine which applications are using permissions and also disables options by default on application start, providing an opt-in permission model (rather than opt-out).

Never worry about permissive default settings which leak your personal information.

Google is blind to KONTACT devices.

KONTACT devices have no Google or microG integration enabled at build time. This provides no insight to Google on KONTACT devices even when using Pixel devices.

On our smart phone devices, we tend to download a collection of different applications and generally do not pay much attention to the settings or properties within our phones that these apps tap in to. In many cases this puts the integrity of a devices privacy at risk and begs the question: are applications tracking my location? The simple answer is YES.

Today personal data is becoming increasingly valuable as we rely more on smart devices. Outside of traditional applications and GPS assistance, other risks to your data like spyware applications and hackers threaten the privacy of your devices. This stresses the importance of data privacy and understanding how your device data is being accessed so you can protect yourself.

Today, all smart phone devices include a GPS feature that is used to improve the accessibility of your device. The GPS creates geolocation data to provide navigation and a user experience tailored to your location. The built in GPS on our smartphones is enabled even when disconnected from the internet, giving access to your whereabouts any place and any time. For many this convenience is a benefit to the features they use every day, but for others the idea that their location is constantly being tracked is somewhat unsettling.

Many applications tap into this information as a sort of trade-off for using their free app. This serves as a way for these developers to profit from your information, tracking where you go and how long you go there and selling it to different companies.

More often than not, applications are regularly tracking your location. With the advancement of digital technology, our personal data has become a valuable resource for these companies. For many applications, tracking your location adds value to their service creating a more tailored experience and additional features for the user. For others is simply acts as a means for monetization.

On all smart phone devices there is a tool that can be used to track your device’s location if it is lost or stolen. These tools do this by continuously checking or “pinging” your device’s location back to the operators’ servers. Your location is then logged while giving you the ability to see your smart phone’s location at any given time. While these features are in place for the convenience and security of your device, it also raises concerns

• Google’s Find My Device
• Samsung’s Find My Mobile
• Apple’s Find My iPhone

KONTACT OS is SELF MANAGED, providing users full device control without remote access from a UEM or MDM. Customization and licensing allow you to take complete control.

Permissions are in your hands — and your hands only.

KONTACT OS provides a helpful option to determine which applications are using permissions and also disables options by default on application start, providing an opt-in permission model (rather than opt-out).

Never worry about permissive default settings which leak your personal information.

Google is blind to KONTACT devices.

KONTACT devices have no Google or microG integration enabled at build time. This provides no insight to Google on KONTACT devices even when using Pixel devices.