how can I protect my privacy on Android?

Android phones, by default, track you while you are using your apps or are visiting websites. Once they have access to this personal information, they can sell it to others without your consent. 

The steps below are for your Android devices  (mobile phones, tablets), and provide basic privacy protections from any apps or websites you interact with.  

1. Update Your Software

1. Open Settings
2. Swipe down from the top of the screen, then tap the Settings icon in the top-right corner of the drop-down menu. (On some Android devices, you'll need to swipe down using two fingers)
3. Scroll down and tap System at the bottom of the Settings page. (On a Samsung Galaxy, tap Software Update instead)
4. Tap About Phone. (Samsung Galaxy: tap Download and Install. Android tablet: tap About Tablet)
5. Select Check for Updates or Update

2. Limit Location Services

1. Open Settings
2. Tap Location
3. To turn off location entirely, tap the toggle at the top
4. To limit location per app, tap App Location Permissions and select each app
5. For each app, set to Don't Allow, Only While Using the App, or Ask Every Time
6. For apps that don't need your exact position, also disable Use Precise Location

3. Review App Permissions

1. Open Settings
2. Tap Security & Privacy
3. Tap Privacy Controls
4. Tap Permission Manager
5. Review each permission — especially Camera, Microphone, Location, and Contacts — and remove access for any apps that don't need it
6. Also tap Permissions Used in the Last 24 Hours for a quick snapshot of recent activity

4. Delete Your Advertising ID 

1. Open Settings
2. Tap Security & Privacy
3. Tap Privacy Controls
4. Tap Ads
5. Tap Delete Advertising ID — this stops companies from building a profile of your behavior across apps

5. Limit Website Access in Chrome

1. Open Chrome
2. Tap the three-dot menu in the top-right corner
3. Tap Settings
4. Tap Site Settings
5. Review and restrict the following permissions: Location, Camera, and Microphone

6. Samsung Only: Enable Strict Anti-Tracking

1. Open Settings
2. Tap Security and Privacy
3. Tap Internet Privacy Protection
4. Tap Smart Anti-Tracking
5. Select Strict to block all trackers while browsing

Additional Resources:

- How do I use encryption to stay private and secure?