For anyone dealing with domestic abuse, staying safe online is crucial. While modern technology can make our lives easier, it can also create risks, particularly when it comes to sharing your location. Location-sharing features, if not managed carefully, can allow an abuser to track your movements, potentially putting you in harm’s way.
In this blog, we’ll explore why location sharing can be risky, how to identify when your location is being shared, and practical steps to ensure you remain safe.
The good news is that with a little know-how, you can take control and protect your privacy.
We’ll be posting these types of practical blogs every two weeks, so be sure to check in again for more helpful ideas.
Why Is Location Sharing a Risk for Domestic Abuse Survivors?
Many devices and apps have features that share your location, sometimes without you even realising it. From social media posts tagged with your whereabouts to map apps tracking your journey, these tools can make your movements visible to others.
For survivors of domestic abuse, this can be dangerous. Abusers might exploit these features to monitor your activity, discover your safe locations, or intercept your plans. Even well-meaning friends or family members could accidentally reveal your location in ways that compromise your safety.
Common Ways Your Location Can Be Shared Online
Understanding how location-sharing works is the first step in staying safe.
Here are some of the most common ways your location might be shared:
- Social Media Posts: Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat allow you to tag your location when you post updates. This can make it easy for someone to figure out where you are.
- Location Sharing in Apps: Many apps, such as Google Maps, WhatsApp, or Snapchat, let you share your real-time location with others.
- Geotagging in Photos: Photos taken on smartphones often include location data (called metadata), which can reveal where the photo was taken. If you share these photos online, others can potentially access this information.
- Device Tracking: Features like “Find My iPhone” or “Find My Device” are useful for locating lost devices, but they can also be misused by someone who has access to your accounts.
- Ride-Share or Delivery Services: Apps like Uber, Lyft, or food delivery services track your location during use, and this data could be accessed by someone who knows your login details.
- Family or Friend Features: Some apps allow location sharing among friends or family groups, like Life360. While helpful for trusted people, this can be problematic if an abuser has access.
Steps to Protect Yourself from Unintentional Location Sharing
Fortunately, there are several ways to limit or disable location sharing on your devices and accounts. Here are some simple, actionable steps you can take:
1. Review App Permissions
Many apps request access to your location, but you don’t always have to grant it. Go through the settings on your phone and check which apps have location access.
- On iPhone: Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services. Here, you can see a list of apps and adjust their access. Set apps to “Never” or “While Using the App” unless it’s absolutely necessary to have them on otherwise.
- On Android: Go to Settings > Location > App Permissions. You can manage which apps have access and turn off unnecessary ones.
2. Turn Off Location Sharing on Social Media
Social media apps often have settings for location sharing. Make sure these are turned off:
- For Facebook, disable location services and avoid tagging locations in your posts.
- On Instagram, avoid adding location tags to your photos or stories.
- On Snapchat, use “Ghost Mode” to keep your location private.
3. Disable Location Metadata on Photos
Most smartphones embed location data in photos by default. Turn off this feature to prevent accidental sharing.
- On iPhone: Go to Settings > Camera > Formats and disable location metadata.
- On Android: Open the camera app, go to settings, and turn off “Save Location.”
4. Disable Real-Time Location Sharing in Messaging Apps
Apps like WhatsApp or Google Maps allow you to share your live location. Make sure this feature is off unless you’re using it for a specific, temporary reason.
- In WhatsApp, open a chat, tap the paperclip icon, and check if “Live Location” is active. If it is, turn it off.
- In Google Maps, tap your profile picture, go to Location Sharing, and stop any active sharing.
5. Log Out of Shared Devices
If you’ve used shared devices (like a family computer or a phone), make sure you log out of your accounts. This prevents others from accessing your location-sharing features.
6. Use a Separate Email and Account for Sensitive Apps
If possible, create a new email account for sensitive apps like ride-sharing or delivery services. This makes it harder for an abuser to track your activity through these apps.
7. Disable “Find My Device” Features
Features like “Find My iPhone” or “Find My Device” can be helpful, but they can also be misused. Consider turning these off if you suspect someone has access to your accounts.
- On iPhone: Go to Settings > [Your Name] > Find My and disable sharing.
- On Android: Go to Settings > Security > Find My Device and turn it off.
What to Do If You Suspect Someone Is Tracking You
If you suspect that your location is being tracked, act quickly but carefully:
- Stop Location Sharing: Disable location-sharing features on your devices.
- Scan for Spyware: Use anti-spyware software to check for tracking apps or malware.
- Get Help: Reach out to us, a domestic abuse support organisation in your area, or the National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247. Or if you have a trusted and tech-savvy friend, you could ask them for assistance.
Reclaiming Your Online Safety
Staying safe online as a survivor of domestic abuse can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to navigate it alone. By taking simple steps to secure your devices and accounts, you can regain control over your privacy and safety as far as possible.
Remember, technology can be a tool for empowerment as well as a risk. With careful management, you can use it to stay connected to the people and resources that support you while keeping your location and life private from those who may wish you harm.
You Are Not Alone – Juno Will Help You
You are not alone in dealing with domestic abuse, and help is here for you. Take things one step at a time, and reach out for support whenever you need it. Juno is always here for you. The easiest way to contact us is through our free and confidential helpline. If you can’t ring on your own device, you can ask at your local library or Doctor’s Practice and they will often set you up in a private room with a phone line.
Calls to the helpline are free from landlines and mobile phones within the UK and do not appear on itemised bills. Our friendly female team are waiting to hear from you.
Our team are experts in what they do and they will listen to you. There is nothing you can say that they won’t have heard before. But what they say may be the start of you moving towards a life free from abuse. It is possible and we’ll walk the path with you.
Helpline: 0808 800 0340
Sometimes our helpline is busy and you might not get through the first time, so please try again. We will always call you back if you leave a message stating it is safe to do so and if you leave us a safe contact number in your message.
If you are hearing impaired, text “Relay/NGT” to 18001 0808 800 0340. This option is available 24-hours a day, 365 days a year.
You can also email us on [email protected] 9 am – 9 pm.
Please note, we may not be able to respond to emails straight away, but will try to reply within 24 hours.
The deaf health charity Signhealth also runs a domestic abuse support service, DeafHope, using British Sign Language (BSL).