How to tell if your location is being tracked

    If a person, app, or service knows where you are without you telling them, your phone is leaking location data. Before you change anything, confirm what's actually happening.

    Someone references places you've been without being told. An ex, family member, or stranger 'shows up' where you are. Maps or weather apps show suspicious past locations. Battery drains faster than usual — constant GPS use is power-hungry.

    On iPhone: Settings → Privacy & Security → Location Services. Review every app marked 'Always'. On Android: Settings → Location → App permissions. Scrutinise anything set to 'Allow all the time'.

    Open Find My (iPhone) or Google Maps → profile → Location sharing. Anyone listed can see you in real time. Snapchat Map, Life360, and family-sharing apps also expose live location.

    Google: myactivity.google.com/timeline. Apple: Settings → Privacy → Location Services → System Services → Significant Locations. If history exists you didn't expect, someone with your password may be reading it.

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