How to reduce ad tracking and data sharing on social media

Social media platforms It collects more data than most people realize. They track what you click on, who you interact with, and even where you go. Over time, this information creates a detailed profile of your habits and behaviors.

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 in your favorite apps.

Many of these privacy controls are also available within each app; Therefore, it is important to check both your device settings and in-app options.

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

HOW TO PROTECT AND PROTECT YOUR PRIVACY ONLINE

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1) Turn off personalized ad tracking

Social media platforms use your activity to create advertising profiles. These profiles track you across apps and websites to deliver targeted ads. Turning off ad tracking helps reduce the amount of data used to create your profile.

My iPhone:

• Open Settings
• Faucet Privacy and Security
• Faucet Follow-up
• Close Allow Apps to Request Monitoring

Android:

S.Settings may vary depending on the manufacturer of your Android phone

• Open Settings
• Faucet Security and privacy
• Scroll to: More privacy settingsS.
• Faucet Advertisements
• Faucet Delete the advertising ID. Then confirm your decision by tapping . Delete advertising ID
• Faucet Reset the advertising ID. Then confirm your decision by tapping . To approve

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

2) Limit access to contacts, photos and microphone

Many social media apps request access to your contacts, camera, microphone, and photos. In many cases, they collect too much data. Reducing permissions helps limit what these platforms can collect about you.

My iPhone:

• Open Settings
• Faucet Privacy and Security
• Faucet Contacts, Photos, Microphone or Camera
• Select: social media app
• To choose None, Limited Access (Photos) or open access closed

Important notes for accuracy:

• Photos: You will see options like None, Limited Access or Full Access
• Microphone/Camera: Change access closed
• Contacts: Change access closed (The “None” label does not appear)

Android:

S.settings may vary according to your preference your android phone manufacturer

• Open Settings
• Faucet Security and privacy
• Faucet More privacy settings
• Faucet Permission Manager
• Select a permission (Contacts, Photos and videos, Microphone, Camera)
• Select: social media app
• Faucet don’t allow or Allow only when using the app

Limiting permissions reduces the amount of personal data social platforms can access and store.

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A few quick settings changes on your iPhone or Android device can help you block ad tracking, location access, and contact syncing between social media apps. (Image alliance via Sebastian Kahnert/Getty Images)

3) Turn off location tracking on social apps

Many social media platforms track your location to recommend content, ads and nearby links. You can reduce this by limiting location access both on your device and within apps.

My iPhone:

• Open Settings
• Faucet Privacy and Security
• Faucet Location Services
• Select: APPLICATION
• To choose Never or While Using the Application

Android:

S.Settings may vary depending on the manufacturer of your Android phone

• Open Settings
• Faucet Location
• Faucet App location permissions or App permissions
• Select: APPLICATION
• To choose don’t allow or Allow only when using

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

4) Disable contact syncing

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

My iPhone:

• Open Settings
• Faucet Privacy and Security
• Faucet Contacts
• Select: APPLICATION
• Faucet None

Android:

S.Settings may vary depending on the manufacturer of your Android phone

• Open Settings
• Faucet Security and privacy (or Privacy)
• Faucet More privacy settings
• Faucet permission manager
• Faucet Contacts
• Select: APPLICATION
• To choose don’t allow

Then check inside the app:

• Hungry APPLICATION and go Settings
• Faucet Privacy, Bill or Permissions
• Close Contact synchronization or Upload contacts
• To delete preloaded contacts if option available

This will prevent the app from accessing your contacts and remove any data that may have been previously installed.

5) Review your privacy and security settings regularly

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

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

This helps keep your account secure and your data protected over time.

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Social media platforms 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 off-platform activity tracking

Some social media platforms track your activities even when you’re not using their apps. This is often called off-platform activity or off-app tracking. It allows companies to collect data from the websites and apps you visit and link it back to your profile. This type of tracking is most obviously available on Meta platforms like Facebook and Instagram and can be turned off in your account settings.

To turn it off on Facebook or Instagram:

• Open the app and navigate to: Settings
• Faucet Account Center
• Faucet Your information and permissions
• Faucet Your activity outside of meta technologies
• Faucet Clear previous activity (optional)
• Faucet Manage future event → Disconnect future event

Other platforms may offer similar controls under names such as: Data sharing, Ad preferences or Partner activityalthough the steps vary. Disabling these settings reduces the amount of data platforms collect about your behavior outside of their apps.

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

Even if you lock down your privacy settings, social media platforms are full of malicious links, fake ads, and scam messages designed to trick you into clicking. These attacks often bypass built-in protections and rely on human behavior. Using strong antivirus software or an antivirus app on your phone adds an extra layer of protection by detecting malicious links, blocking phishing attempts, and warning you before you interact with suspicious content. This is especially important if you accidentally tap a link in a message, comment, or ad. One wrong click could result in your personal information being compromised or your account compromised. Get my picks for the 2026 winners for the best antivirus protection for your Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS devices at: cyberguy.com

What does this mean to you?

Social media platforms are built to collect and analyze your behavior in ways that are often not obvious. The longer you use them, the more detailed the profile becomes. Taking a few minutes to adjust your settings can significantly reduce how much of your personal information is tracked, stored and shared.

Take my quiz: How secure is your online security?

Do you think your devices and data are truly protected? Take this quick quiz to see where your digital habits stand. From passwords to Wi-Fi settings, you’ll get a personalized breakdown of what you’re doing right and what needs improvement. Take my test here: cyberguy.com

Kurt’s important takeaways

You don’t need to log out of social media to protect your privacy. You just need to be more aware of how these apps access your data. Most people never check these settings; This is exactly why this is important. Taking a few minutes today to review your permissions and tracking options can help you stay in control rather than letting algorithms control you.

Have you ever checked how much data your social media apps collect about you, or are you surprised by it? Let us know by writing to us. cyberguy.com

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