Why Should I Care About My Home Network? I’m Safe Right? Let’s Find Out.

Are Your devices Listening?

Have you ever been talking about something in the car or at home, only to later see an advertisement for it? This phenomenon, often referred to as “targeted advertising” or “creepy ads,” can feel unsettling, but it usually stems from algorithms tracking your online activity. Companies use data from your searches, social media interactions, and even location data to tailor ads to your interests..

Are Your Devices Tracking?

Devices can track a significant amount of location data, depending on settings and permissions. Here’s a breakdown of how and what they track:
Cloud and Server-Side Tracking
GPS Data
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Tracking
Cell Tower Triangulation
App and Service Usage
Tracking Frequency
How often and how detailed the tracking is depends on device settings. Most phones allow users to control location permissions for each app, with options to track always, only when the app is in use, or never.

Are Your Devices Collecting?

Oh wait, there is more. Devices and by extension companies collect more permanent data on you as well. Here are some examples

Personal Identification: Devices may collect your name, email, phone number, and even payment information if you’re using a service for shopping or subscriptions.

Contacts and Calendar: Many apps and services request access to your contacts and calendar events for syncing, reminders, and suggestions.

Voice and Text Data: Virtual assistants (like Siri, Alexa, or Google Assistant) often store voice commands or text inputs. They may collect data on what you say or ask to improve their responses and accuracy.

Activity Tracking: Fitness trackers or health apps collect data on your steps, heart rate, sleep patterns, exercise, and more.

IP Address and Connection Data: Every time you connect to the internet, your device sends your IP address, which can be used to infer your general geographic location. It can also track your device’s connection to other networks.

Social Media Activity: Devices and apps can track the content you like, share, and comment on, as well as your interactions with other users. This information is used to personalize your feed and target advertisements.

Messages and Calls: Apps like WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and even regular SMS messaging may have access to your communication data, depending on permissions.

Health Metrics: Fitness devices and apps track data like steps, workouts, calories burned, sleep, and sometimes more personal metrics like blood pressure or glucose levels, especially with wearables like smartwatches.

Biometric Data: Many devices collect biometric data such as fingerprints, facial recognition, or heart rate, often for security or health-tracking purposes.

Advertising Data: Advertisers collect data through apps and websites to serve personalized ads. This may include demographic information, interests, and even inferred behaviors

Sensors: Devices like smartphones, tablets, and wearables include sensors that monitor environmental factors like temperature, humidity, and ambient light. This data is used to optimize device performance, like adjusting screen brightness or battery usage.