Technology

Your phone shares data at night: Here’s how to stop it

Published

1 month ago

February 4, 2026

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Your phone shares data at night: Here’s how to stop it

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If your smartphone stays on your bedside table overnight, it stays busy long after you fall asleep.

Even while it appears idle, your phone continues to send and receive data in the background. Some of that activity is expected. Your device checks for security patches, syncs system settings and keeps essential services running. Other data transfers are far less obvious and far less necessary.

Experts warn that smartphones routinely transmit tracking and advertising signals without you fully realizing it. In many cases, that data includes information that should only be shared with clear and informed consent.

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SUPER BOWL SCAMS SURGE IN FEBRUARY AND TARGET YOUR DATA

Even while you sleep, a nearby smartphone can continue sending and receiving data in the background. (Getty Images/monkeybusinessimages)

What data your phone sends while you sleep

Your phone is not just charging overnight. It operates in a continuous data loop that generally falls into two categories.

Legitimate system data

This includes updates, crash reports and basic diagnostics. Operating systems rely on this information to fix bugs, improve stability and protect against security threats. In most cases, this data collection is disclosed and configurable.

Tracking and advertising data

This is where concerns grow. Smartphones also transmit location signals, device identifiers, advertising IDs, usage patterns and app behavior data. Companies combine this information to build detailed user profiles and deliver targeted ads that promise higher engagement. The problem is that the line between necessary diagnostics and commercial tracking is often blurry. Many of us never realize how much data flows out of our phones overnight.

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Phones often stay active overnight, syncing apps, checking networks and refreshing data unless you limit background activity. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

What we know about phone tracking today

Independent academic investigations found that some Android devices transmitted data linked to tracking behaviors involving major companies like Meta and Yandex. The research, conducted by teams from IMDEA Networks Institute and European universities, showed that certain apps and services continued communicating with external servers even after users attempted to limit tracking. The researchers observed data flows that could link web activity with app identifiers, raising concerns about how effectively privacy controls were enforced at the system level.

There is also long-standing concern around smartphones appearing to “listen” to conversations. While no public evidence shows that phones actively record private speech for advertising, many users report ads that closely mirror recent conversations. At a minimum, aggressive data collection combined with location, app usage and search history can make these moments feel unsettling.

Despite years of scrutiny, most smartphones still operate this way today. The good news is that you can reduce how much data leaves your device.

How to protect yourself from overnight data sharing

You do not need to give up your smartphone to regain control. Small settings changes can make a real difference.

1) Review app permissions

Start with your installed apps. Focus on those with access to your location, microphone, camera and tracking data. Only allow sensitive permissions while the app is in use. Be especially cautious with apps that run continuously in the background.

How to review app permissions on iPhone

Open Settings
Tap Privacy & Security
Tap Location Services, Microphone, Camera or Tracking
Select an app from the list
Choose While Using the App or Never when available

For tracking controls:

Go to Settings
Click Privacy & Security
Tap Tracking
Turn off Allow Apps to Request to Track

This prevents apps from accessing your advertising identifier and sharing activity across apps and websites.

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Turning off app tracking on your iPhone blocks apps from linking your activity across other apps and websites. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

How to review app permissions on Android

Settings may vary depending on your Android phone’s manufacturer.

Open Settings
Tap Privacy & Security or Security and privacy
Click More privacy settings
Tap Permission Manager
Select Location, Microphone, Camera or Sensors
Tap an app and choose Allow only while using the app or Don’t allow

To review background access:

Go to Settings
Click Apps
Select an app
Tap Mobile data & Wi-Fi
Turn off Background data if the app does not need constant access

This limits silent data transfers when the app is not actively open.

2) Limit background activity

Disabling background activity reduces how often apps sync data when you are not using them. This also limits automatic cloud activity. Keep in mind that this may affect real-time backups or notifications. Weigh the convenience against the privacy trade-off.

How to limit background activity on iPhone

Turn off Background App Refresh

Open Settings
Tap General
Tap Background App Refresh
Tap Background App Refresh at the top
Select Off or Wi-Fi

To disable it for specific apps:

Stay on the Background App Refresh screen
Toggle off apps that do not need to update in the background

This prevents apps from quietly syncing data when they are not open.

How to limit background activity on Android

Settings may vary depending on your Android phone’s manufacturer.

Restrict background data

Open Settings
Tap Apps
Select an app
Tap Mobile data & Wi-Fi
Turn off Background data

Restrict background battery usage

From the app’s settings screen, tap Battery
Select Restricted or Limit background usage

This reduces background syncing and prevents apps from running silently when you are not actively using them.

3) Turn off personalized advertising

Personalized ads rely on device identifiers and activity data collected across apps. Turning this off limits how your behavior is used for ad targeting, even when your phone is idle.

How to turn off personalized ads on iPhone

Open Settings
Tap Privacy & Security
Tap Tracking
Turn off Allow Apps to Request to Track

To limit Apple ads:

Go to Settings
Click Privacy & Security
Tap Apple Advertising
Turn off Personalized Ads

This reduces ad targeting based on your activity within Apple services.

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Disabling personalized ads reduces how your behavior is used to target ads, even when your phone is idle. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

How to turn off personalized ads on Android

Settings may vary depending on your Android phone’s manufacturer.

Open Settings
Tap Privacy & Security or Security and privacy
Click More privacy settings
Tap Ads or Advertising
Tap Delete advertising ID or Opt out of Ads Personalization
Click Delete advertising ID

You can also reset your advertising ID from this menu to break the link between past activity and future ads.

This limits how apps and advertisers track behavior across apps and websites.

4) Consider a VPN

A reputable VPN can help obscure your IP address and reduce certain forms of network-based tracking. It does not stop all data collection, but it adds a layer of protection, especially on shared or public networks.

For the best VPN software, see my expert review of the best VPNs for browsing the web privately on your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices at Cyberguy.com.

5) Remove your data from broker sites

Even if you lock down your phone, much of your personal information already exists online. Data brokers collect and sell details like your name, address, phone number and browsing behavior.

Using a reputable data removal service can help locate and remove your information from these sites. This reduces how easily advertisers and third parties can link your phone activity to your real identity.

For ongoing protection, these services do all the work for you by actively monitoring and systematically erasing your personal information from hundreds of websites. It’s what gives me peace of mind and has proven to be the most effective way to erase your personal data from the internet. By limiting the information available, you reduce the risk of scammers cross-referencing data from breaches with information they might find on the dark web, making it harder for them to target you.

Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web by visiting Cyberguy.com.

Get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web: Cyberguy.com.

6) Use airplane mode or power off at night

If overnight data sharing concerns you, the simplest option is also the most effective. Turning your phone off or using airplane mode cuts off wireless communication while still allowing alarms to work.

How to turn on airplane mode on iPhone

Open Control Center by swiping down from the top right corner
Tap the airplane icon so it turns orange
Confirm that cellular, Wi Fi and Bluetooth turned off

How to turn on airplane mode on Android

Settings may vary depending on your Android phone’s manufacturer.

Swipe down from the top of the screen to open Quick Settings
Tap the airplane mode icon
Check that mobile data, Wi Fi and Bluetooth are disabled

If you still want Bluetooth for a watch or headphones, you can turn it back on manually after enabling airplane mode. This keeps most background data transfers blocked while you sleep.

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Think your devices and data are truly protected? Take this quick quiz to see where your digital habits stand. From passwords to Wi-Fi settings, you’ll get a personalized breakdown of what you’re doing right and what needs improvement. Take my Quiz here: Cyberguy.com.

Kurt’s key takeaways

Your smartphone works around the clock, even when you do not. Some background data sharing keeps your device secure and functional. Other data collection exists primarily to fuel tracking and advertising. The key is awareness and control. By tightening permissions, limiting background activity and disabling ad personalization, you reduce how much of your personal data leaves your phone while you sleep. Privacy is not about fear. It is about informed choices.

Do you leave your phone fully on overnight, or will tonight be the night you finally switch it off? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.

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Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on “FOX & Friends.” Got a tech question? Get Kurt’s free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.

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Technology

A rogue AI led to a serious security incident at Meta

Published

9 hours ago

March 19, 2026

Press Room

A rogue AI led to a serious security incident at Meta

For almost two hours last week, Meta employees had unauthorized access to company and user data thanks to an AI agent that gave an employee inaccurate technical advice, as previously reported by The Information. Meta spokesperson Tracy Clayton said in a statement to The Verge that “no user data was mishandled” during the incident.

A Meta engineer was using an internal AI agent, which Clayton described as “similar in nature to OpenClaw within a secure development environment,” to analyze a technical question another employee posted on an internal company forum. But the agent also independently publicly replied to the question after analyzing it, without getting approval first. The reply was only meant to be shown to the employee who requested it, not posted publicly.

An employee then acted on the AI’s advice, which “provided inaccurate information” that led to a “SEV1” level security incident, the second-highest severity rating Meta uses. The incident temporarily allowed employees to access sensitive data they were not authorized to view, but the issue has since been resolved.

According to Clayton, the AI agent involved didn’t take any technical action itself, beyond posting inaccurate technical advice, something a human could have also done. A human, however, might have done further testing and made a more complete judgment call before sharing the information — and it’s not clear whether the employee who originally prompted the answer planned to post it publicly.

“The employee interacting with the system was fully aware that they were communicating with an automated bot. This was indicated by a disclaimer noted in the footer and by the employee’s own reply on that thread,” Clayton commented to The Verge. “The agent took no action aside from providing a response to a question. Had the engineer that acted on that known better, or did other checks, this would have been avoided.”

Last month, an AI agent from open source platform OpenClaw went more directly rogue at Meta when an employee asked it to sort through emails in her inbox, deleting emails without permission. The whole idea behind agents like OpenClaw is that they can take action on their own, but like any other AI model, they don’t always interpret prompts and instructions correctly or give accurate responses, a fact Meta employees have now discovered twice.

Technology

Phishing scam exploits Apple Mail ‘trusted sender’ label

Published

9 hours ago

March 19, 2026

Press Room

Phishing scam exploits Apple Mail ‘trusted sender’ label

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Phishing emails are getting more convincing every day. Scammers copy the look of trusted brands and rely on urgency to get you to click before you think. But sometimes the most misleading part of a scam is not the email itself. It is the signal your own email app gives you.

A CyberGuy reader recently sent us a screenshot of an email that looked suspicious but included something surprising at the top. Apple Mail displayed a banner that said, “This message was sent from a trusted sender.” At first glance, that message feels reassuring. Many people would assume the email must be legitimate. The reader sent the screenshot with the subject line “Another sneaky trick.” In the image, Apple Mail labels the message as coming from a trusted sender even though the email itself shows several signs of a phishing scam.

Here is the catch. That label comes from Apple Mail itself, not from Apple and not from a system verifying the email. In other words, a phishing email can still appear trusted. Understanding how this happens can help you avoid handing your Apple ID or other personal information to scammers.

APPLE APP PASSWORD SCAM EMAIL WARNING

Scammers often copy Apple’s branding and use urgent warnings to push people into clicking malicious links. (Photo Illustration by Thomas Trutschel/Photothek via Getty Images)

Why Apple Mail may label a phishing email as a trusted sender

Apple Mail automatically adds the trusted sender banner in certain situations. It usually appears when the email address looks familiar to your device. For example, Apple Mail may display the banner if:

The sender’s address is saved in your Contacts
You have replied to that email address before
The address appears in previous email conversations

The feature is designed to help you quickly recognize people you communicate with often. It is meant as a convenience signal, not a security verification. That distinction is important.

Warning signs of a fake Apple account email

Phishing emails often copy the look of real Apple notifications. The goal is to create urgency so the victim clicks before thinking. The email in the screenshot contains several classic warning signs.

Generic greeting

The message begins with “Dear user” instead of addressing the recipient by name. Legitimate account emails typically reference your name or Apple ID information.

Slightly incorrect branding

The email references “Cloud+ subscription.” Apple’s real service is called iCloud+. Small branding mistakes often appear in phishing campaigns.

Urgent scare tactics

The message warns that personal data could be permanently removed from cloud storage. Fear and urgency are common tools in phishing scams.

Payment problems tied to account threats

Scammers often claim a subscription payment failed and your account is at risk. The goal is to push victims to click a link and enter login details. Apple does not send emails threatening immediate deletion of iCloud data because of a billing issue.

Why the Apple Mail trusted sender banner can be misleading

Because the banner relies on familiarity, scammers can sometimes exploit it. Cybercriminals often spoof real email addresses so their messages appear to come from someone you know. If that address matches a contact or previous message history, Apple Mail may still mark it as trusted.

REAL APPLE SUPPORT EMAILS USED IN NEW PHISHING SCAM

That can create a false sense of safety. The banner simply reflects your email history. It does not confirm the sender’s identity or verify that the message actually came from Apple or any legitimate company. In some cases, that visual signal can make a phishing email look more believable than it really is.

The “trusted sender” banner in Apple Mail reflects your contact history. It does not verify that the email actually came from Apple or another legitimate company. (Sean Gallup/Getty Images)

Ways to stay safe from Apple phishing emails

Phishing emails continue to evolve, but a few simple habits can greatly reduce your risk.

1) Avoid clicking links in account warning emails

If you receive a notice about your Apple account, open your browser and go directly to Apple’s official website instead of using the email link.

2) Use strong antivirus software

Strong antivirus software can help detect malicious links, suspicious downloads, and phishing pages before they reach your device. Get my picks for the best 2026 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS devices at Cyberguy.com

3) Use a data removal service

Scammers often gather personal information from data broker websites to make phishing emails look more convincing. Removing your data from these sites reduces the information criminals can use to target you. Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web by visiting Cyberguy.com.

4) Check your Apple account settings directly

You can verify subscriptions by opening Settings on your device, tapping your Apple ID and selecting Subscriptions.

5) Look closely at branding and wording

Misspelled product names, unusual formatting, and generic greetings often reveal a phishing email.

6) Enable two-factor authentication

Two-factor authentication (2FA) adds another layer of protection, even if someone manages to steal your password.

Cybercriminals frequently disguise their emails by mimicking legitimate addresses, making it look like the message was sent by someone you trust. (Wei Leng Tay/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Kurt’s key takeaways

Email apps often try to help by identifying messages that appear familiar. Unfortunately, scammers understand how those systems work. The trusted sender banner in Apple Mail reflects your contact history. It does not confirm that the message came from Apple or any legitimate company. That means one simple habit still offers the best protection. Pause before clicking any urgent account warning. Because in the world of phishing scams, the messages that look the most convincing are often the most dangerous.

If your email app told you a message was trusted, would you still double-check before clicking? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.

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Technology

The FBI is buying Americans’ location data

Published

21 hours ago

March 19, 2026

Press Room

The FBI is buying Americans’ location data

Senate Intelligence Committee Hears Testimony From Top Officials On Worldwide Threats

WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 18: Federal Bureau of Investigation Director Kash Patel testifies during a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing on worldwide threats in the Hart Senate Office Building on March 18, 2026 in Washington, DC. A closed session immediately followed the hearing. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

Getty Images