DIGITAL LIFE

Your smartphone never “sleeps” and can expose personal data without you realizing it

Although much of the activity that occurs in the background is essential, NordVPN experts warn that not all shared data is strictly necessary and can expose personal information without your knowledge.

What happens to your smartphone when you leave it on your bedside table overnight? At first glance, it may even seem disconnected from the world, but, as NordVPN reminds us, the smartphone never “sleeps” and continues to silently exchange small amounts of data to remain functional and up-to-date.

Much of this activity that occurs in the background is essential, but not all data shared during downtime is strictly necessary.

Quoted in a statement, Marijus Briedis, CTO of NordVPN, warns that some data transmissions may “involve persistent tracking or advertising-related signals: processes that can expose personal information without users' knowledge.

Experts explain that, for proper functioning, smartphones need to connect frequently to manufacturers' servers. In this context, devices can transmit information such as device identifiers, telemetry data about system status or health, service checks, fault logs, connection states, and content updates.

However, some of the data traffic that occurs during periods of inactivity exceeds basic functionality and is transmitted without user action, raising concerns about privacy and cybersecurity.

For example, advertising IDs are not necessary for the basic functioning of the smartphone, but they allow companies and third-party entities to associate activities between applications and services, creating long-term behavioral profiles and tracking users even when applications are not actively used.

Furthermore, even when GPS accuracy features are disabled, smartphones can still transmit approximate location data, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth identifiers, and information about nearby networks.

Experts emphasize that these signals significantly increase the device's data "footprint," allowing the reconstruction of location and movement patterns.

Many smartphones continuously send analytics and telemetry data while inactive, including app usage patterns, interaction time, system events, and behavioral signals. The transmission of this information is often enabled by default, making it difficult for users to disable, and the problem lies in the volume, frequency, and opacity of data collection.

"From a cybersecurity perspective, unnecessary background data sharing isn't just a privacy issue, it's a risk multiplier," says Marijus Briedis.

"Each identifier or telemetry signal adds another piece to a much larger puzzle," details the NordVPN CTO, adding that when combined, "these data points can reveal sensitive behavioral patterns and expose users to tracking, profiling, or interception, often without their knowledge."

To help reduce the risks of unintentional exposure of personal data, NordVPN recommends reviewing unnecessary app permissions, particularly regarding location, background data, tracking, microphone access, and photos. It's also important that you disable background app updates whenever possible and limit cloud backups. Disabling personalized ads, limiting Wi-Fi network scanning, and using a VPN are also among the recommended measures.

"The biggest mistake is assuming that default settings are secure," says Marijus Briedis. "A combination of sensible permission management and modern security tools can drastically reduce background tracking," emphasizes the manager.

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