This story is available exclusively to Business Insider
subscribers.
Become an Insider
and start reading now.Have an account? .
When it comes to tracking your online activities for the sake of serving relevant ads, Google is probably the company that comes to mind.
Advertisement
But Apple actually tracks some of what you do on your iPhone, iPad, and Mac, in order to serve you ads through its iAd platform.
Apple can use information like where you live, what you've downloaded (apps, movies, books, music, etc.), what music you listen to in Apple Music, and what you read and subscribe to in Apple News, in order to target advertising to you.
This story is available exclusively to Business Insider
subscribers.
Become an Insider
and start reading now.Have an account? .
Apple says it clusters people in groups of at least 5,000 other people "who share similar characteristics" in order to protect privacy, and that it "does not know or make available to advertisers information regarding your sexual orientation, religious beliefs or political affiliations.
By default, your iPhone is tracking some of these things, so unless you've turned the setting off, you're likely getting targeted ads based on some of this information.
Advertisement
The good news is that it's simple to limit tracking and turn off location-based ads.
Here's how to do it.
Advertisement
First, go to Privacy in your device's settings
Then, tap Advertising.
Advertisement
Toggle the switch on for "Limit Ad Tracking."
To turn off location-based ads, go to Location Services, which is found in Settings—> Privacy.
Advertisement
Then, scroll all the way down and tap "System Services."
Advertisement
Finally, turn off "Location-Based iAds."
If you limit ad tracking and turn off location-based ads, you'll still see ads, but Apple says they may be less relevant. That is, they won't be as highly targeted before or be based on your location.
Data Tracking is the subject of the latest episode of Marketplace and Tech Insider's new Codebreaker podcast. You can listen to it here and subscribe to all the episodes in iTunes or wherever you get your podcasts.
Read next
NEW LOOK
Sign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. Read preview
Thanks for signing up!
Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go.