Every time I install a new app, I’m bombarded with permissions requests for access to what feels like every part of my device.
It’s frustrating and invasive, yet something we all have to deal with.
I’m always inclined to decline as much as I possibly can, giving each app only enough data to function, nothing more. Anything to vaguely keep some privacy intact. But it’s not easy, especially as some apps refuse to work without certain permissions.
Among the most pervasive, at least to me, are the Physical Activity and Location permissions, designed to track and catalog your movements, typically with one intent: serve better, more accurate ads.
I don’t know about you, but that’s something I can do without. You just need to know where to look, how to deny, and, importantly, how to turn them off if you’ve accidentally given access.
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I always deny these permissions
What do the Physical Activity and Location permissions give access to?
It seems like the clue is the name with these permissions, but the Physical Activity and Location permissions actually cover a broad range of data access, some of which you may not expect. They sound largely harmless on the face of things, but these permissions can tell apps:
|
Activity Permissions |
Location Permissions |
|---|---|
|
When you’re walking, running, cycling, or driving |
Your home address |
|
How often you move throughout the day |
Where you work |
|
Your general daily routine |
Where your children go to school |
|
When you’re likely awake or asleep |
Medical clinics you visit |
|
Whether you’re usually sedentary or active |
Religious buildings you attend |
|
Patterns in your commute |
Political events you attend |
|
— |
How often you visit certain places |
Accordingly, in combination, these two permissions can quickly build an accurate behavioural map of your life.
Why apps ask for these permissions to begin with
Take one big guess
I’ll start off by saying that some apps genuinely need these permissions. For example, Maps needs access to your location for directions, while a fitness app will need access to your motion data. A ride-hailing app like Uber might need both to determine your location, if you’re moving, and so on. There are numerous legit apps that will request this information.
However, at times, some apps request this information, even if their core features don’t require this data. These days, Google and Apple are much better at blocking extensive app permissions and removing permissions for unused apps, but that doesn’t mean some don’t slip through. Furthermore, it doesn’t mean some apps won’t be somewhat frugal with the truth, because, after all, data is data, a valuable resource.
It all plays into one thing: advertising and tracking.
However, it’s not always as clear as you may think. By that, I mean an advertiser isn’t seeing that you’ve clocked up 5,645 steps today and you’re in need of some electrolytes. Instead, the data from the Physical Activity and Location permissions feeds into a profile that is used to serve you those ads that feel ever-so specific and on the nose.
Those profiles are then broken down into other useful segments advertisers can target, such as a fitness-focused mid-40s woman near a coffee shop, or a parent of three who frequently travels and might need gift ideas for the kids.
But overall, if your apps show a strong correlation between certain activities, it’s all the easier to build a stronger advertising profile based on your personal data. That data can be shared with third-party analytics firms, data brokers, and others, and may surface in data breaches years later.
In short, it’s best to limit apps’ access to your data as much as possible, as you don’t know what’ll happen to it once it’s out of your control.
Start switching off permissions, and see what happens
Most apps just keep on working
As said, some apps need those specific permissions to function, but others certainly don’t. Either way, you can switch off permissions for individual apps to prevent data leakage and see what breaks to figure out which apps really need that data.
For example, I switched off location data in the rewards app for a supermarket in the UK, and everything kept chugging along just fine. Yes, I realize even having a rewards app is a privacy problem, but UK supermarket pricing has been heavily skewed into discounts for those with them, and like everyone, I’m shopping on a budget!
But elsewhere, you may find apps break or refuse to log in without location access or similar. So, Maps and Uber are good examples; they won’t work properly without your location data.
So, like all things in life, you have to pick your battles and figure out what you value more; do you want discounted toothpaste this week or are you keeping your dental hygiene choices secret?
The process for switching off permissions on iOS and Android varies slightly, but it’s a simple enough process.
Switching off location and activity permissions on Android
The process varies on Android devices due to differences in menus between manufacturers, but you’re mostly looking for the same names and so on.
- Open Settings and find Privacy or Security and privacy
- Head to Privacy controls > Permission manager
- From here, find the Location and Physical Activity sections.
-
In each section, tap on any apps you wish to restrict permissions for, and select Don’t allow.
- Alternatively, you could switch to Ask every time, or even Allow only while using the app.
Now, check what works and what doesn’t, and you’re good to go.
Switching off location and activity permissions on iOS
Unlike Android, iOS’s menus are the same across all devices because Apple’s top-down approach ensures consistency.
- Head to Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services.
- Now, scroll down and change the location permissions to Never or Ask Next Time for more control.
- Head back to the Privacy & Security menu and select Motion & Fitness, and similarly change the settings as you see fit.
Again, check what works and what is now broken, and take it from there.
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Pick your privacy battles
Unfortunately, privacy isn’t a one-click button. It would be amazing if it were, but these days, it’s a multi-layered menu process filled with confusing steps. There are several other settings you should change on your phone to protect your privacy, but even then, you just can’t win them all.
As said, pick your privacy battles, because realistically, you just can’t win them all.
