Everyday Privacy Settings Worth Checking
Practical privacy guidance without unnecessary alarm.
Review location, camera, microphone, and notification permissions on your phone and in your browser. Check advertising preferences and activity history in accounts you actually use. The menu names may change, so use our Privacy Settings Guide and its links to official help.
Your phone
Open the privacy controls on Android or iPhone. Review which apps can access precise location, camera, microphone, contacts and photos. Choose only-while-using access when it meets your needs.
Your browser
Check tracking protection, third-party cookies, notifications and site permissions. Strict tracking controls can cause some websites to stop working, so use the setting that balances privacy and usability.
Your accounts
In Google, review saved activity and sign-in security. In Facebook and Instagram, review post audience and ad preferences. Services change their menus, so use the current official help instructions linked in our guide.
Make changes you can maintain
Start with the most sensitive permissions, mark each completed step on the checklist, and review your settings periodically. Our website cannot see or change your account settings.
What should you do?
Use the free Brown Family Apps tool below, understand what it can and cannot check, and review any result before sharing personal information. Nothing is uploaded to our servers.