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Finding the 'Opt-Out': how to keep your data private while your Reels, Shorts and TikToks keep rolling

It's easier than you think: reducing the amount of data you share to platforms such as TikTok (ByteDance), YouTube (Google), and Instagram (Meta) only takes a few clicks!

By Yav Find, 29 June 2025

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It's easier than you think: reducing the amount of data you share to platforms such as TikTok (ByteDance), YouTube (Google), and Instagram (Meta) only takes a few clicks!

In this guide, we’ll show you a few short steps to reduce the amount of data you share to advertisers and limit personalised advertising, so you stay private while keeping your TikToks, Shorts and Reels rolling!

Stop Google, TikTok, Instagram & Facebook from using your data to personalise ads

[Meta] Stop Instagram and Facebook from using your data to personalise your ads

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Step 1: Log into Instagram.com (not the app)

Go to Instagram.com

Open in new tab arrow.

Step 2: Open Meta ads centre, then manage info > disable targeted advertising

Go to Meta ads centre

Open in new tab arrow.

[Google Account] Disable location tracking and ad personalisation

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Step 1: Open Google Activity Controls > disable ‘Timeline’,

Go to Google Activity Controls

Open in new tab arrow.

Step 2: Open Google Ads Centre > disable personalised ads

Go to Google Ads Centre

Open in new tab arrow.

[TikTok] Stop personalised advertising on TikTok & delete tracked data attributed to you

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Step 1: Open TikTok > Profile > Hamburger menu > Settings and Privacy

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Step 2: Ads > Disable Targeted Ads and Targeted Ads Outside TikTok

You can then delete all TikTok advertising data attributed to you

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Android guides

[Android] Disable location and microphone access for specific apps

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On Android, you can stop specific apps from accessing your location, microphone, and other sensitive information.

Open settings > apps

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Select TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, or any other app > permissions

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Location, or any other permission > Don’t allow

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[Android] Turn off data collection when you’re not using your phone

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On Android, for specific apps, you can disable background data usage. This prevents apps from collecting data about you when you’re on the go.

Open settings > apps > TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, or any other app

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Open mobile data > turn OFF allow background data usage (this can interfere with notifications)

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[Android] Stop apps from running in the background

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On Android, for specific apps, you can stop apps from running in the background. This prevents apps from collecting data about you when you’re on the go. If you use notifications, this might interfere with them.

Open settings > apps > TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, or any other app

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Open battery > turn battery to Restricted

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iOS guides

[iOS] Stop apps from tracking your data

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On iOS, you can stop data tracking entirely! This prevents platforms from knowing that the data collected on you is actually yours, helping keep you anonymous.

Go to settings > privacy and security

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Tracking > turn off Allow Apps to Request to Track.

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[iOS] Disable location and microphone access for specific apps

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On iOS, you can stop specific apps from using your location, microphone, and other data.

Go to settings > privacy and security

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Turn off access to specific information

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Scroll down, and turn off access to specific sensors and data streams

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[iOS] Disable background app refresh

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On iOS, you can stop specific apps from running in the background, stopping data from being collected when you’re not using the app.

Go to settings > general

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Background app refresh > disable background app refresh for specific devices

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