Maxim Alexandrov, an expert in software products at the company Security Code, warns that smartphones collect data about their owners around the clock. In a conversation with Lenta.ru, he outlines ways for Russians to protect themselves from surveillance.
First of all, he advises paying attention to the smartphone's geolocation settings. According to Aleksandrov, information about the location of the device owner is quite valuable material, on the basis of which an accurate digital portrait of a person will be compiled. In particular, advertising networks are ready to pay impressive sums for information about where this or that person is.
“By default, Google keeps a detailed history of your movements. To prevent this, Android device owners need to go to settings, find the Google section, then “Google Settings”, “Location” and turn off the item “Location tracking”. This will stop the collection of data, which is only covered up by “improving the service”, recommends Aleksandrov.
iPhone users need to find the “Privacy and security” menu item in settings, then find the “Location Services” section. The device owner will then see a list of all applications that have access to the coordinates. Aleksandrov recommends leaving the “When in use” option for maps and weather services, and selecting the “Never” option for all other services.
The Security Code expert added that corporations Google and Apple store information about every user action in the online space – from search queries, browsing history to opening applications. Thanks to this, they collect a complete digital profile, which could one day be used against the device owner.
To prevent this, Aleksandrov advises users of Android devices that from the “Google Settings” section, go to “Account Management”, then “Data and Privacy”, where you can turn off the item “Web and App Search History”. He then recommends clicking on “Manage History” and clearing all accumulated data. On iPhone, from the “Privacy and security” block, you need to go to the “Tracking” submenu, where you need to turn off the “Allow apps to request tracking” option.
“Few people know, but every smartphone has a unique advertising identifier, thanks to which algorithms recognize users in applications and on websites to pursue them with advertising after any request,” Alexandrov added.
On Android devices, you can avoid this by turning off Ads Personalization in the Ads section of Google Settings. Additionally, you should delete records that have been collected by resetting your advertising identifier. Alexandrov advises iOS fans to turn off “personalized ads.” You can find this in the “Apple Ads” block located under the “Privacy and security” menu.
Previously, Konstantin Gorbunov, a leading expert on cyber threats, web developer of the company Security Code, revealed the main schemes of scammers that will be popular in 2026. He said scammers will be more likely to blackmail Russians than to ask them to transfer money online.
