Can Apps Track Me When They're Closed?
Yes — in multiple ways. Apps with background location permission track you continuously. Advertising networks like Meta's and Google's track your activity across other apps and websites via embedded SDKs and tracking pixels. Facebook's own privacy policy explicitly describes collecting data about your activity on other websites "whether or not you're logged in."
Three Ways Apps Track You When Closed
1. Background Location Access
If you grant "Always" location permission, apps can collect your GPS location continuously — even when the app is not open. Facebook's policy states they collect "precise location" when you grant location permission. This includes when the app is running in the background.
2. Advertising Network SDKs
Many apps embed advertising SDKs from Meta, Google, or other networks. These SDKs can report your activity back to the network even when the host app is closed. Meta's policy states: "We receive information about your activity on other websites and apps, whether or not you're logged in or have an account."
3. Push Notification Infrastructure
When apps send push notifications, they communicate with Apple's APNs or Google's FCM servers. This communication can include device identifiers and timing data. TikTok's policy acknowledges collecting device identifiers used for push notifications.
"We receive information about your activity on other websites and apps, whether or not you're logged in or have an account with us."
— Meta Privacy Policy, "Information from Third-Party Partners" section
Frequently Asked Questions
Can apps collect data when I'm not using them?
Yes, in several ways. Apps with background location permission can collect your location even when closed. Apps that use advertising SDKs (like Meta's or Google's) can track your activity on other apps and websites. Push notification systems can also transmit data. Facebook's privacy policy explicitly describes tracking across other apps and websites via the Meta Pixel.
What does Facebook's privacy policy say about background tracking?
Meta's privacy policy states they collect information about 'your activity on other websites and apps, whether or not you're logged in or have an account' through the Meta Pixel and other tracking technologies. This tracking occurs even when the Facebook app is closed, as long as you visit websites or use apps that have integrated Meta's tracking code.
Does TikTok track me when the app is closed?
TikTok's privacy policy states they collect data from 'third-party partners' including advertising and analytics partners. This means TikTok can receive data about your activity on other apps and websites through their advertising network, even when the TikTok app itself is not open.
How do I stop apps tracking me in the background?
On iOS: Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services — set apps to 'While Using' instead of 'Always'. Also: Settings > Privacy & Security > Tracking — disable 'Allow Apps to Request to Track'. On Android: Settings > Location > App Permissions — review which apps have 'Allow all the time' location access and change to 'Only while using'.
What is the Meta Pixel and how does it track me?
The Meta Pixel is a piece of tracking code that websites embed to report visitor activity back to Meta. When you visit a website with the Meta Pixel, Meta receives data about your visit — including what pages you viewed and what you purchased — even if you never open the Facebook app. Meta's privacy policy describes this as 'information about your activity on other websites and apps.'