Your Privacy Matters - Android Settings to Switch Off Today!

Moe from Mondo / 30-04-2021 / Tech news

Why privacy matters

Android smartphones are the most popular and widespread cellular devices in the world today. As with iPhones, privacy has become a heated topic since the sudden surge of apps. To understand why this is the case, think of your Android phone as a pocket-sized information collector. At any given time, your smartphone can collect, analyse and sell information about you. But it can only do this, if you explicitly permit it to do so.

With permission, the apps you download can access the searches you perform, the websites you visit, the articles you read, what you buy online, and so much more.

Ultimately, the more permission you grant an app, the easier it is for companies to track you and get a clearer picture of who you are. For this reason alone, it is vital to protect your privacy. This not only places the power back in your hands, it also limits the amount of your information companies freely have access to.

What companies can do with your information

There is high value attached to your personal data. It is a commonly known fact that cell phone companies, apps and social media platforms can sell your data to third parties to generate an extra income. In some instances, companies can even use this data to fund self-run ad networks.

But this doesn’t mean doom and gloom for your Android smartphone! Fortunately, there are ways to curb the amount of information being sent by changing certain privacy settings on your phone.

5 key settings to change on your new phone

Your new Android is packed with many new privacy features that allow you to choose what you’re comfortable sharing with your apps. To make the most of this, ensure your phone has the latest software release, Android 11.

From here, you can control the data you share by switching off the following permissions:

1. Your camera is personal

Apps that have access to your camera can see where you are, what you’re doing, and can reveal deep insights about your digital world. But this is only possible if you allow the app access to camera all the time. For better security, switch this permission off and instead grant a limited permission that will allow less or no access.

2. Keep your location lowkey

Previously, most apps would ask for your location by default and this meant that the majority knew your whereabouts at any given time. To prevent this, new software upgrades now allow you to switch off the all the time permission through one centralised click. For certain apps that need your location to function such as Google Maps, you can grant it access only while the app is in use.

3. Your microphone has ears

It’s quite unnerving knowing that third parties may be picking up sound and conversations on your phone. Much like your camera, your phone’s microphone allows them insight into your personal details. Therefore, it's important to switch off your microphone on apps that don’t require this access to function.

4. More permissions, greater privacy

You can now grant permissions on an Only This Time basis, which grants your apps temporary one-time permission. This provides more reason to switch off lenient permissions and choose more privacy-friendly options.

5. Do an overall check

There’s an app for almost everything and this makes it easy to lose track of what you’ve downloaded. Even if you have a new phone, you will most likely transfer your old phone’s data onto the new one. For this reason, it is important to check the permissions of all your apps once your data is transferred. Go to your settings, locate the Permissions Manager and switch off any permissions that infringe on your privacy.

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What’s New at the Samsung Galaxy Unpacked 2025 Event?

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Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 & Z Fold 7

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What are the key features of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 and the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7?The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 features a larger 4-inch cover screen and a smooth 120Hz foldable main display plus dual rear cameras (50MP wide and 12MP ultra-wide). The Z Fold 7 offers a bigger 8.2-inch main display, a 6.5 inch cover screen, up to 1TB storage, 16GB RAM and a standout 200MP main camera, making it Samsung’s slimmest and most powerful foldable yet.2. When will the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 and the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 be released?Samsung is expected to officially launch both devices at their Galaxy Unpacked event in July 2025. 3. How do I choose between the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 and Z Fold 7?If you prefer a compact, stylish phone for easy one-handed use, the Z Flip 7 is ideal with its handy cover screen and foldable design. For those wanting a larger screen for multitasking, productivity and high-end camera features, the Z Fold 7 offers more power and screen real estate.4. 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Designed a step away from the Pro model, the new addition looks like it will be a feature-rich, mid-tier option with a fresh design and impressive specs.A Slimmer Frame, A Smoother DisplayThe iPhone 17 Air is rumoured to feature a 6.6-inch ProMotion display with a 120Hz refresh rate, making it perfect for seamless scrolling, smooth animations and binge-worthy streaming. Its ultra-thin profile (early leaks say that the phone is just 5 – 6mm thick) gives it a modern edge. The iPhone 17 series is also rumoured to feature a redesigned centre rear camera setup to give it a distinct and symmetrical look.Modern Touches Meet Everyday FunctionalityBeyond aesthetics, it’s packed with practical upgrades. The MagSafe charger, Action Button and a new Camera Control button aim to enhance usability for users constantly on the move.Under the Hood: Power Meets PortabilityRunning on the next-gen A19 chip, performance is expected to be fast and efficient – ideal for multitasking, mobile gaming and demanding apps. However, there’s one catch. The iPhone 17 Air comes with a 2800mAh battery – the smallest battery in recent iPhone history. That’s only a slight bump from the iPhone 12’s 2815mAh. Not sure how we feel about this yet, but let’s wait for the usage tests before we judge. A Quick Look at the CameraCamera leaks suggest a single-lens 48MP rear shooter, likely optimised with software improvements. While it won’t rival the Pro line-up’s multi-lens system, it should be more than capable for everyday photography and video.Apple iPhone 17Joining the iPhone 17 Air in Apple’s 2025 line-up are three more models: the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro and the flagship iPhone 17 Pro Max. No word yet about what colours we can expect this year. All four iPhone 17 models are rumoured to feature a 24MP front-facing camera – a major jump from the 12MP lens found in the iPhone 16 series. This upgrade promises sharper, more detailed visuals from the front camera.The iPhone 17 Pro is where the photography-focused features start to shine. Leaks point to a triple 48MP camera setup, including a Wide, Ultra-Wide and a Tetraprism Telephoto lens. If true, this marks the first time Apple has equipped a single iPhone with three 48MP sensors, giving users enhanced flexibility without compromising image quality.From panoramic landscapes to close-up zoom shots, the Pro model is expected to deliver exceptional results across the board. The iPhone 17 Pro is also tipped to support 8K video recording for ultra-high-definition footage. 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While nothings confirmed, what we do know so far about iPhone 17 is very promising and there’s plenty to get excited about.We’ll be tracking every update as it drops. Follow us on social media to stay in the loop and find out the moment Apple makes it official.FAQs1. What is the iPhone 17 Air and how is it different from previous models? The iPhone 17 Air is rumoured to replace the Plus model with a slimmer, lighter design, a 6.6-inch ProMotion display and Apple’s A19 chip. It’s expected to sit between the base iPhone 17 and the Pro models, offering solid performance without the premium price tag.2. Will all iPhone 17 models have ProMotion displays? Yes – according to early leaks, all four models in the iPhone 17 line-up will feature ProMotion technology with a 120Hz refresh rate for smoother scrolling and overall better responsiveness.3. What are the camera upgrades in the iPhone 17 series? 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Apple hasn’t confirmed a release date yet, but based on previous launch patterns, the iPhone 17 series is likely to be announced in September 2025.References:https://www.macrumors.com/roundup/iphone-17-air/https://www.perplexity.ai/page/apple-iphone-17-air-features-a-Vz_LYNvjSvm4juiqylhZiA https://www.macrumors.com/roundup/iphone-17/https://www.indiatimes.com/technology/news/apple-iphone-17-base-model-to-get-a18-chipset-and-8gb-of-ram-here-is-what-we-know-so-far-660176.html

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