Privacy Settings Walkthroughs
Step-by-step guides for taking control of your privacy on popular platforms.
Social media platforms and devices collect vast amounts of data about you. While you can't eliminate all data collection, you can significantly reduce it by adjusting your privacy settings. This guide walks you through the most important settings on major platforms.
Note on Updates
Platforms frequently change their settings interfaces. While we keep these guides updated, menu locations may vary slightly. The general principles remain the same - look for Privacy, Security, and Data settings.
Facebook Privacy Settings
Facebook collects extensive data and shares it across its family of apps. Here's how to limit what's visible and collected.
Access Privacy Settings
- Click your profile photo in the top right
- Select "Settings & privacy"
- Click "Settings"
- Navigate to "Privacy" in the left menu
Key Settings to Change
Who can see your posts?
Change the default audience for future posts from "Public" to "Friends" or a more restricted list.
Location: Settings > Privacy > Your Activity > Who can see your future posts
Who can send you friend requests?
Consider limiting to "Friends of friends" to reduce spam and scam requests.
Location: Settings > Privacy > How people find and contact you
Who can look you up by email/phone?
Set to "Friends" to prevent strangers from finding your profile using your contact info.
Location: Settings > Privacy > How people find and contact you
Limit past posts
Change all previous public posts to Friends only with one click.
Location: Settings > Privacy > Your Activity > Limit Past Posts
Off-Facebook Activity
This shows websites and apps that share your activity with Facebook. Clear history and turn off future tracking.
Location: Settings > Your Facebook Information > Off-Facebook Activity
Ad Preferences
Limit how Facebook uses your data for advertising.
Location: Settings > Ads > Ad Settings. Turn off all toggles for data used in ads.
Instagram Privacy Settings
Instagram shares data with Facebook (Meta). Apply similar privacy principles here.
Access Privacy Settings
- Go to your profile
- Tap the hamburger menu (three lines)
- Select "Settings and privacy"
Key Settings to Change
Private Account
Consider making your account private so only approved followers can see your posts.
Location: Settings > Account privacy > Private account (toggle on)
Activity Status
Hide when you're online from other users.
Location: Settings > Messages and story replies > Show activity status (toggle off)
Story Sharing
Prevent others from sharing your stories as messages.
Location: Settings > Privacy > Story > Allow sharing
Data Sharing with Partners
Limit data sharing for ads.
Location: Settings > Accounts Center > Ad preferences > Manage info
Twitter/X Privacy Settings
Access Privacy Settings
- Click "More" in the sidebar
- Select "Settings and Support"
- Click "Settings and privacy"
- Navigate to "Privacy and safety"
Key Settings to Change
Protect Your Tweets
Make your tweets visible only to approved followers.
Location: Settings > Privacy and safety > Audience and tagging > Protect your posts
Photo Tagging
Control who can tag you in photos.
Location: Settings > Privacy and safety > Audience and tagging > Photo tagging
Discoverability
Prevent people from finding you by email or phone number.
Location: Settings > Privacy and safety > Discoverability and contacts
Location Information
Remove location from your tweets.
Location: Settings > Privacy and safety > Location information
Ad Preferences
Turn off personalized ads.
Location: Settings > Privacy and safety > Ads preferences > Personalized ads (toggle off)
LinkedIn Privacy Settings
LinkedIn is a professional network, but that doesn't mean you should share everything publicly.
Access Privacy Settings
- Click your profile photo
- Select "Settings & Privacy"
- Navigate to "Visibility" or "Data privacy"
Key Settings to Change
Profile Viewing Options
Choose whether others see your name when you view their profile.
Location: Settings > Visibility > Profile viewing options
Who Can See Your Email
Limit visibility of your email address.
Location: Settings > Visibility > Who can see your email address
Who Can See Your Connections
Hide your connections list from others.
Location: Settings > Visibility > Who can see your connections
Advertising Data
Limit how LinkedIn uses your data for ads.
Location: Settings > Advertising data > Turn off all toggles
TikTok Privacy Settings
TikTok collects significant amounts of data. Here's how to limit exposure.
Access Privacy Settings
- Go to your profile
- Tap the hamburger menu (three lines)
- Select "Settings and privacy"
- Tap "Privacy"
Key Settings to Change
Private Account
Make your account private so only approved followers see your content.
Location: Settings > Privacy > Private account (toggle on)
Who Can Duet/Stitch With You
Limit who can create content using your videos.
Location: Settings > Privacy > Duet and Stitch
Who Can Download Your Videos
Prevent downloads of your videos.
Location: Settings > Privacy > Downloads
Personalized Ads
Turn off personalized advertising.
Location: Settings > Privacy > Ads personalization
iPhone/iPad (iOS) Privacy Settings
Apple provides strong privacy controls. Here's how to use them.
Location: Settings App
App Tracking Transparency
Prevent apps from tracking you across other apps and websites.
Location: Settings > Privacy & Security > Tracking > Allow Apps to Request to Track (toggle off)
Location Services
Review which apps have location access. Change to "Never" or "While Using" for most apps.
Location: Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services
Camera and Microphone Access
Review which apps can access your camera and microphone.
Location: Settings > Privacy & Security > Camera / Microphone
Safari Privacy
Enable fraud warnings and prevent cross-site tracking.
Location: Settings > Safari > Privacy & Security
Apple Advertising
Turn off personalized ads from Apple.
Location: Settings > Privacy & Security > Apple Advertising > Personalized Ads (toggle off)
Android Privacy Settings
Android privacy settings vary by manufacturer, but here are the key Google/Android settings.
Location: Settings App
App Permissions
Review which apps have access to sensitive permissions.
Location: Settings > Privacy > Permission manager
Location
Control location access for apps and disable Google Location History.
Location: Settings > Location > App location permissions
Ads Personalization
Opt out of ads personalization.
Location: Settings > Privacy > Ads > Opt out of Ads Personalization
Google Activity Controls
Control what Google saves about your activity.
Location: Settings > Google > Manage your Google Account > Data & privacy > History settings
Delete Advertising ID
Android 12+ allows you to delete your advertising ID entirely.
Location: Settings > Privacy > Ads > Delete advertising ID
General Privacy Tips
Review Settings Regularly
Platforms add new features and change default settings frequently. Review your privacy settings every few months.
Be Selective About App Permissions
Ask yourself: Does this app really need access to my camera/microphone/location/contacts? If not, deny the permission.
Use Privacy-Focused Alternatives
Consider using browsers like Firefox or Brave, and messaging apps like Signal that prioritize privacy.
Think Before You Share
The best privacy protection is not sharing sensitive information in the first place. Think twice before posting personal details publicly.
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