How to limit ad tracking and data sharing on social media

Social media collects more data than most people realize. They track what you click on, who you communicate with and where you go. Over time, that information builds a detailed profile of your habits and behavior.

The good news is that you can take back control. A few simple settings changes can limit tracking, reduce data sharing and improve your privacy across all your favorite apps.

Many of these privacy controls also exist within each app, so it’s important to check both your device’s settings and in-app options.

Here are five simple tech tips to help you regain control of your social media today.

HOW TO KEEP AND PROTECT YOUR ONLINE PRIVACY

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1) Turn off personal ad tracking

Social networks use your activity to create advertising profiles. These profiles follow you across apps and websites to deliver targeted ads. Turning off ad tracking helps reduce how much data is used to profile you.

iPhone:

• Open it Settings
• Tap Privacy and Security
• Tap Follow up
• Shut up Allow apps to request tracking

Android:

Ssettings may vary depending on the manufacturer of your Android phone

• Open it Settings
• Tap Security and privacy
• Scroll to More private settingss
• Tap Advertisements
• Tap Remove advertising ID. Then, confirm your decision by tapping Remove advertising ID
• Tap Reset advertising ID. Then, confirm your decision by tapping Confirm

This limits how social media apps track your behavior across other apps and services.

2) Limit access to contacts, photos and microphone

Most social media apps request access to your contacts, camera, microphone and photos. In many cases, they collect more data than necessary. Limiting permissions helps limit what these platforms can collect about you.

iPhone:

• Open it Settings
• Tap Privacy and Security
• Tap Contacts, Photos, Microphone or Camera
• Select the social media app
• Select Nothing, Limited Access (Images), or open access turned off

Important notes for accuracy:

• Photos: You will see options like Nothing, Limited Access or Full Access
• Microphone/Camera: Change access turned off
• Contacts: Change access turned off (no “None” label appears)

Android:

Ssettings may vary depending on yours Android phone the producer

• Open it Settings
• Tap Security and privacy
• Tap More privacy settings
• Tap Permission Manager
• Select permission (Contacts, Photos and videos, Microphone, Camera)
• Select the social media app
• Tap Don’t give in or Allow only while using the app

Restrictive permissions limit how much personal data social networks can access and store.

5 PRIVACY POLICY TO PROTECT YOUR ONLINE PRIVACY

A few quick settings changes on your iPhone or Android device can help prevent ad tracking, access location and sync your contacts across social media apps. (Sebastian Kahnert/photo alliance via Getty Images)

3) Turn off location tracking within social networking apps

Many social media platforms track your location to suggest content, ads and close connections. You can reduce this by restricting local access both to your device and within the apps themselves.

iPhone:

• Open it Settings
• Tap Privacy and Security
• Tap Location Services
• Select the operating system
• Select Never or While using the App

Android:

Ssettings may vary depending on the manufacturer of your Android phone

• Open it Settings
• Tap Location
• Tap Application location permissions or Application permissions
• Select the operating system
• Select Don’t give in or Allow only while using

You should also check the app’s internal settings and turn off location sharing or tagging.

4) Disable contact sync

Some social media apps upload your contact list to find friends and connections. This can expose your personal network without you even realizing it.

iPhone:

• Open it Settings
• Tap Privacy and Security
• Tap Contacts
• Select the operating system
• Tap Nothing

Android:

Ssettings may vary depending on the manufacturer of your Android phone

• Open it Settings
• Tap Security and privacy (or Privacy)
• Tap More privacy settings
• Tap Permission manager
• Tap Contacts
• Select the operating system
• Select Don’t give in

Then check inside the app:

• Open the operating system and go to Settings
• Tap Privacy, Account or Permits
• Shut up Contact sync or Upload contacts
• Delete preloaded contacts if the option is available

This prevents the app from accessing your contacts and deletes any data that may have already been uploaded.

5) Review your privacy and security settings regularly

Social media platforms update their features and policies regularly. That means your settings can change without you noticing. Take a few minutes every few months to review:

• Account privacy settings
• Ad preferences
• Connected apps
• Login function

This helps ensure that your account remains secure and your data remains secure over time.

A FAKE GOOGLE SECURITY PAGE CAN TURN YOUR BROWSE INTO AN INVESTIGATION TOOL

Social networks create detailed profiles based on how you use their apps and other services. Reviewing your privacy settings can help you take back control. (Anna Barclay/Getty Images)

Bonus: Turn off tracking of field activity

Some social networks track your activity even when you are not using their apps. This is often called off-platform work or off-app tracking. It allows companies to collect data from the websites and apps you visit and link back to your profile. This type of tracking is most clearly found on Meta platforms such as Facebook and Instagram, where it can be turned off within your account settings.

To block it on Facebook or Instagram:

• Open the app and go to Settings
• Tap Center of accounts
• Tap Your information and consents
• Tap Your work in Meta technologies
• Tap Clear previous work (optional)
• Tap Manage future task → Terminate future task

Other platforms may offer similar controls under similar names Data sharing, Ad preferences or Partner workalthough the steps are different. Disabling these settings reduces how much data platforms collect about your behavior outside of their apps.

Pro tip: Add a layer of security for malicious links and scams

Even if you turn off your privacy settings, social media is still full of malicious links, fake ads and scam messages designed to trick you into clicking. These attacks often bypass built-in defenses and rely on human behavior. Using strong anti-virus software or an antivirus app on your phone adds an extra layer of protection by detecting dangerous links, preventing phishing attempts and warning you before you interact with suspicious content. This is especially important if you accidentally click on a link in a message, comment or ad. One wrong click can expose your personal information or lead to account compromise. Find my picks for the best antivirus 2026 winners for your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS devices at Cyberguy.com

What does this mean to you?

Social media is designed to collect and analyze your behavior, often in subtle ways. The longer you use them, the more detailed that profile becomes. Taking a few minutes to adjust settings can significantly reduce how much of your personal information is tracked, stored and shared.

Take my questions: How secure is your internet security?

Think your devices and data are really protected? Take these quick questions to see where your digital habits stand. From passwords to Wi-Fi settings, you’ll get a personalized explanation of what you’re doing well and what needs improvement. Take my questions here: Cyberguy.com

Kurt’s priority is taking

You don’t have to give up social media to protect your privacy. You just need to be more intentional about how these apps access your data. Many people never check these settings, which is why they are important. Taking a few minutes today to review your permissions and tracking options can help you stay in control instead of letting algorithms control you.

Have you checked how much data your social media apps are collecting about you, or would it surprise you? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com

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