Reclaim your privacy by disabling your cellphone carrier’s data tracking

May 22, 2024

Join Fox News to access this content

You’ve reached the maximum number of articles. To continue reading, please log in for free or create an account.

Please enter a valid email address.

We’ve all heard that cell phones are eavesdropping and monitoring everything we do. While this has been proven false (or at least explained), data tracking is actually a standard practice by today’s most popular mobile phone companies.

And in 2024, despite user complaints, new tracking methods continue to emerge, making it even more difficult for users to regain control of their data.

So what exactly do you need to know about how your carrier tracks your data? How can you take back your privacy without saying goodbye to your carrier completely?

Sign up for Kurt’s newsletter for security alerts, expert tips – Cyber Guy Report here

woman looking at mobile phone (Kurt “Cyber Guy” Knutson)

Ask any technical questions and get the free Cyber Guy Report Newsletter in your cart here

What is data tracking? What do mobile carriers collect?

First, let’s talk about what “data tracking” actually means. Data tracking is when companies collect information about your online activities. This includes, but is not limited to, your browsing history, location data, messaging information, and app usage.

This data is either used directly by the company collecting the data or ultimately shared with third-party companies to tailor advertising to you. (There are other good reasons for this, such as “improving our service.”) But today, targeted advertising is the main reason, and users increasingly want their phones to do things about them. I feel like I’m being eavesdropped on.)

Data tracking may vary by company. Mobile phone companies can collect a wide range of information about you, which is not surprising since for most of us, our mobile phones are an extension of ourselves. Therefore, it is important that you are aware of these practices and proactively manage your privacy settings to maintain control over your personal information.

Never miss an alarm again: How to increase the alarm volume on your iPhone

woman with iPhone (Kurt “Cyber Guy” Knutson)

The different ways mobile carriers collect data

Mobile phone companies employ various techniques to collect certain data from users.

T-mobile

User behavior profilingT-Mobile may analyze your personal data to predict your behavior and preferences, which may influence future services and marketing strategies.
Research Support: Carriers share data to support public and scientific research efforts, while ensuring that personally identifiable information is removed.
App usage analysis: Track the frequency and duration of app usage and gather insights about your preferences and habits.
Advertising personalization: This process collects information about app usage and demographic details to tailor advertising to your interests.

verizon

Network usage insightsVerizon uses data such as your web browsing and app usage to offer you additional services and upgrades.
Aggregating consumer insights: Combine user data with external data to generate insights into consumer behavior and trends.
Customized user experience: Verizon analyzes the websites and apps you engage with to create a more personalized service experience.
Marketing optimization: We use detailed user data to tailor and personalize our marketing efforts and service offerings.

AT&T

Browsing and location tracking: AT&T collects detailed records of your web browsing and location to tailor ads and offers.
automated decision making: We employ algorithms that use the data collected to make automated decisions that influence the advertising and content that you see.
Demographics and viewing data: We collect demographic information along with viewing habits to better understand and segment our user base.
Identity verification service: AT&T shares certain data with third parties to facilitate identity verification and fraud prevention measures.

Are you a little surprised by all this? Yes, we are too.

person with a phone (Kurt “Cyber Guy” Knutson)

Details: AT&T data leaked from 73 million customers. What to do next

How to turn off data tracking on your device depending on your carrier

If you don’t want your mobile phone company to have widespread access to your data, there are ways to prevent it. The problem is that most carriers don’t try to broadcast this information because it’s beneficial to maintain this access.

But that’s why we’re here to help. Managing your data privacy includes understanding the settings available on your mobile devices. Below you’ll find instructions for disabling data tracking on devices from the major US carriers (T-Mobile, Verizon, AT&T), as well as general guides for other carriers.

T-mobile

To adjust privacy settings on your T-Mobile device:

Log in to your T-Mobile account.

invite my accountClick profile.
Scroll to the bottom and select Privacy and noticeafter that privacy dashboard.
Here you can toggle off various options.Sharing data for public and scientific research purposes: Prevents your data from being used for external research projects.Analysis and reporting: Stops aggregating usage data for business reports.Advertising options: Limit personalized ads based on app usage and other collected data.Profiling and automated decision making: Opt out of the use of your data for profiling purposes.Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information: Make sure your data is not sold or shared with outside parties.
Share data for public and scientific research: Prevent the use of your data in external research projects.
Analysis and reporting: Stops aggregating usage data for business reports.
Advertising options: Limit personalized ads based on app usage and other collected data.
Profiling and automated decision making: Opt out of having your data used for profiling purposes.
Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information: Make sure your data is not sold or shared with outside parties.

Additionally, T-Mobile offers a separate app to limit the data shared with third-party advertisers through the Magenta Advertising Platform.

CLICK HERE TO GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO

verizon

To manage privacy settings on your Verizon device:

Log in to your Verizon account.
go to accountafter that account[アカウント]situation and select Edit profile and settings.
choose Manage your privacy settings.
You can adjust the following:Customer-specific network information: Opt-out to stop Verizon from using your data to market additional services.Business and marketing insights: Disable this if you don’t want your data to be used to create consumer insights.Custom Experience and Custom Experience Plus: To opt out of personalized marketing based on your web and app usage, please opt out.
Customer-specific network information: Opt-out to stop Verizon from using your data to market additional services.
Business and marketing insights: Disable this if you don’t want your data to be used to create consumer insights.
Custom Experience and Custom Experience Plus: Opt-out to stop receiving personalized marketing based on your web and app usage.

When you reset your custom experience settings, Verizon will also stop using previously collected browsing and location data.

AT&T

To disable data tracking on your AT&T device:

Log in to your AT&T account.
invite profileafter that Your Privacy Choices.
AT&T offers four main toggles that you can turn off.personalized plus: Opt out of using location and browsing data for personalized ads.personalized: Disable automated decision-making using your data.Share or sell my personal information: This prevents AT&T from sharing your data for advertising purposes.
personalized plus: Opt out of using location and browsing data for personalized ads.
personalized: Disable automated decision-making using your data.
Share or sell your personal information: This prevents AT&T from sharing your data for advertising purposes.

For security reasons, it is recommended to keep identity verification active.

Other careers

If you’re not using one of the carriers listed above, the steps will likely be similar, but if in doubt, speak to your carrier directly by visiting a store or searching online for instructions for your specific carrier.

Log in to your account from your carrier’s website or app.
Find your privacy settings or preferences. These may be found under sections labeled: privacy, safetyor data management.
Review and adjust the settings to limit data tracking according to your preferences.

woman using mobile phone (Kurt “Cyberguy” Knutson)

More information: Organize your technology: Spring cleaning tips to protect your data

Boost your privacy with a VPN

Although disabling carrier tracking is an important step, Virtual private network (VPN) Add an extra layer of protection for your mobile data. A VPN encrypts all your internet traffic and routes it through secure servers, protecting your online activity from prying eyes, including your carrier.

A trusted VPN service prevents your carrier from knowing the websites you visit, your searches, and your communications. Your IP address and location will also be masked. Setting up his VPN on your smartphone is easy and affordable, and many top providers offer mobile apps. Be sure to choose a no-logs VPN with robust encryption that doesn’t sell your data to third parties. Combine VPN protection with disabling carrier tracking to maximize your privacy on the go. For the best VPN software, check out my expert reviews of the best VPNs to browse the web privately on your phone. Windows, Mac, Android, iOS devices.

Cart important points

Despite users voicing concerns about their data, mobile phone companies continue to use creative arguments to justify what data they collect and for what purposes. It’s more important than ever to take control of your data and use these tips to keep it as private as possible. Remember that if your data falls into the wrong hands, you are much more likely to become a victim of cybercrime.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

What do you think about all this data privacy information? Will this information affect how you choose your future carrier or manage your data? Email us at. Cyberguy.com/Contact.

For more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report newsletter using the link below. Cyberguy.com/Newsletter.

Ask Kurt a question or tell us the story you’d like us to feature .

follow cart Facebook, YouTube and Instagram .

Answers to CyberGuy’s most frequently asked questions: