How to Perform a “Data Detox” on Your Phone

Your phone is a spy in your pocket. It knows where you sleep, where you work, and that you lingered on that sneaker ad for four seconds too long. It is a narc — but you can blindfold it.

Here is a 10-minute “Data Detox” to reclaim some digital dignity from the surveillance capitalists.

Step 1: Reset Your Advertising ID

Your phone assigns you a unique ID that advertisers use to build a profile of you across different apps. Resetting it is like burning your digital passport and getting a new one.

Here’s how you reset your advertising ID:

• iOS: Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Apple Advertising and turn off personalized ads. (Note: Apple has largely moved to “App Tracking Transparency,” so ensure you select “Ask App Not to Track” for every new install).
• Android: Go to Settings > Google > Ads > Reset advertising ID.

Step 2: The “Location Services” Audit

Go to your Location settings and look at the list of apps.

Does your Flashlight app need your location? No.

Does your Calculator need your location? Absolutely not.

Does Starbucks need your location “Always” or just “While Using”?

Rule of Thumb: Change everything to “While Using” or “Never.” If an app demands “Always” access to track you 24/7 just to give you a coupon, delete it.

Step 3: The 3-Month Rule

Scroll through your apps. If you haven’t opened an app in the last 3 months, delete it.
Many apps include third-party SDKs that ping your location and device info in the background, even if you aren’t using them. If you aren’t using it, get it off your phone.

Step 4: Nuke the “Off-Facebook Activity”

Meta (Facebook/Instagram) tracks what you do outside their apps. Yes, they stalk you around the web. Here’s how you can stop that:

1. Open Facebook App.
2. Go to Settings > Your Information > Off-Facebook Activity.
3. Tap Clear History.
4. Then tap Disconnect Future Activity.

It won’t stop the ads, but it will make them less creepily accurate. And if you’re wondering why they do this, read our breakdown of Terms of Service Nightmares.

Written by: Companies Behaving Badly

The team behind it all.