You downloaded a weather app two years ago, tried a restaurant rewards program once, and installed a shopping app to save a few dollars on groceries. You might not even remember using them, but some of those apps could still have permission to access your phone’s location. Depending on your settings, they may be able to collect information about where you go, how often you visit certain places, and potentially even where you live.
The problem isn’t necessarily that someone is watching your every move. It’s that many people grant permissions when installing an app and never think about them again. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), mobile apps can collect personal information, including location data, depending on the permissions users provide.
