What does your cell phone do with your data when you are not using it

The IMEI code, the hardware serial number and SIM card details, the system health status, fault logs or diagnostic analysis, and even the connection to the WiFi network or mobile data, are some of the data that smartphones regularly send to their manufacturers’ servers.

As NordVPN CTO Marijus Briedis explains, this data “They are needed to report device health, update the operating system, operate networks and connectivity, or synchronize content for messages and email”.

But NordVPN experts warn in a press release that not all data shared during periods of inactivity is essential, and can even pose a risk to privacy and security.

“Some of these data exchanges include persistent location tracking or advertising-related signals that may expose sensitive personal data without users’ knowledge.“, points out Briedis.

This is data that is not related to the basic functions of mobile devices, such as device or advertising identifiers, but that companies and third parties use to link activity between applications and services, create long-term behavioral profiles and track users even when they are not using the ‘apps’.

When GPS is off, smartphones can continue to transmit approximate location data, WiFi and Bluetooth identifiers, and nearby network information; data that expands the device’s fingerprint, allowing location and movement patterns to be reconstructed.

Additionally, many devices continuously send analytics and telemetry data while not in use, including app usage patterns, interaction times, system events, and behavioral signals.

As detailed by the NordVPN manager, “When joined together, these data packets can reveal sensitive patterns of behavior and expose the user to being tracked, profiled or intercepted, usually without their knowledge.”

How to limit the data that your mobile shares

Reviewing the permissions that have been granted to applications is an important step to reduce the risk of personal data being exposed during these automatic exchanges.. It is advisable to pay attention especially to location, background data, tracking, microphone access and photos.

When possible, it is a good idea to disable background app refreshing.and restrict cloud backups by turning off automatic sync for data that is not needed.

Advertising tracking can be limited by disabling personalized ads in your device settings, where you can also disable scanning for WiFi networks and Bluetooth connection.

NordVPN experts also recommend using a virtual private network (VPN) with an integrated security layer, such as NordVPN Threat Protection Pro, to block domains that want to track the user, dangerous connections, and prevent profiling.