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Mobile Privacy

Protecting your smartphone from surveillance

Your smartphone is both your most powerful tool and your greatest privacy vulnerability. With always-on sensors, constant connectivity, and a treasure trove of personal data, mobile devices require special security consideration.

This guide provides platform-specific recommendations to harden your device against surveillance, data harvesting, and tracking. Remember: perfect security doesn't exist, but substantial improvement is within reach.

Choose Your Threat Model

Select your security requirements level

ACTIVE THREAT MODEL

Casual Privacy: Protection from basic tracking, data collection, and advertisers

Android Privacy Protection

Android's open nature provides flexibility for privacy enhancement but requires more user configuration. Focus on system-level protections, app permissions, and network monitoring.

RECOMMENDED SETTINGS
1. Disable 'Personalization based on your data' in Settings
2. Revoke unnecessary app permissions, especially Location, Camera, and Microphone
3. Disable Google activity tracking in your Google Account settings
4. Use app-specific passwords when available
5. Enable fingerprint/face unlock but require password on restart

SYSTEM-LEVEL PROTECTION

Operating System & App Stores

NetGuard

CRITICAL

Get Tool

Rethink DNS

CRITICAL

Get Tool

NETWORK & TRACKING PROTECTION

Network & Tracking Protection

NetGuard

CRITICAL

No-root firewall that blocks internet access per app

Get Tool

Rethink DNS

CRITICAL

DNS-based tracker blocker and firewall

Get Tool

RECOMMENDED PRACTICES

  • Use app-specific permissions rather than "Allow all the time"
  • Isolate sensitive apps in a separate user profile or work profile
  • When possible, use web apps instead of native apps for services you rarely use
  • Regularly audit app permissions in Settings > Apps > Permissions

PRACTICES TO AVOID

  • Google Play Services constantly collecting data even when disabled
  • System apps with excessive permissions that can't be easily removed
  • Third-party apps with invasive tracking SDKs
  • Manufacturer bloatware with data collection features

Cross-Platform Tools

These privacy and security tools work across both Android and iOS platforms, providing consistent protection regardless of which mobile operating system you use.

Signal

End-to-end encrypted messaging app

Get Tool
Cross-Platform

ProtonMail

Encrypted email service with mobile apps

Get Tool
Cross-Platform

Bitwarden

Open-source password manager

Get Tool
Cross-Platform

Tor Browser

Anonymous browsing via the Tor network

Get Tool
Cross-Platform

Proton VPN

Open-source VPN with free tier

Get Tool
Cross-Platform

Mullvad VPN

Privacy-focused VPN (accepts cash)

Get Tool
Cross-Platform
# Remember: Privacy is a human right and a collective responsibility.
# Updates to this guide: 2026-01-28
# Contribute privacy tips: Join the resistance

Related Privacy Guides

General Privacy

Core privacy tools and techniques

Mobile Privacy

Protect your smartphones and tablets

Secure Communications

Encrypted messaging and calls

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