Your smartphone may seem like it’s not doing anything while it sits on your bedside table overnight, but it’s never truly idling. Even when you’re not using it, your phone continues to exchange small bursts of data to stay updated and responsive.
Some of this activity is necessary: your operating system checks for updates, notifications stay on standby, and your messages quietly stay synced. However, not all of this background data exchange is essential, and a lot of it happens without you ever noticing.
According to NordVPN’s CTO Marijus Briedis, some of these data transmissions can involve tracking or advertising-related data signals that go beyond basic functionality.
Sometimes, these exchanges potentially expose your personal data without you even knowing it. That’s where the privacy concerns start, and why what your phone does overnight matters more than most realize.
The data your smartphone shares legitimately when idle
Some of the background communication your phone does when it’s idling is unavoidable. Smartphones need to stay in touch with their operating system and service providers to work properly. This means a steady trickle of data while your device appears idle.
Typically, this includes system-related information like basic identifiers and health telemetry, checks of app and operating system updates, and handling push notifications.
Phones may also send crash reports or diagnostic data to help developers address bugs, along with some information about your network status. Besides this, content like emails, news updates, and messages quietly sync in the background.
NordVPN’s experts note that this kind of activity is generally legitimate, supports system stability, and contributes to a smooth experience when you next unlock your phone.
When background data sharing becomes a privacy risk
Not all of your phone’s background data traffic is essential, and this is where privacy concerns start to emerge. Many smartphones continue to transmit identifiers, such as device or advertising IDs, which make it possible to link activity across apps and allow companies to build long-term user profiles.
Location-related signals can also quietly be exposed in the background. Even if your GPS is disabled, your phone can still share approximate location data, based on nearby Wi-Fi networks, Bluetooth signals, and connectivity metadata. Meanwhile, many apps constantly send analytics and telemetry data, tracking usage patterns and system events without clearly informing users about it.
“From a cybersecurity standpoint, unnecessary background data sharing is not just a privacy issue – it’s a risk multiplier. Each identifier or telemetry signal adds another piece to a much larger puzzle,” said Briedis.
When combined, Briedis explained, these data points can reveal detailed behavioral patterns and expose users to tracking, profiling, or interception, often without their knowledge. The worst part? This often happens without users realizing it.
How to limit what your phone automatically shares
Reducing background data sharing doesn’t require any drastic changes. Experts at NordVPN recommend reviewing app permissions, especially those relating to location, background data, microphone access, and tracking.
Disabling background app refresh (globally on iOS, or per-app on Android) can also reduce unnecessary traffic. Additionally, limiting cloud backups and auto-sync for data you don’t need constantly updated can help, too.
Turning off personalized ads or resetting your advertising ID can help reduce cross-app tracking. You can also help prevent location-related signals from leaking in the background by disabling Wi-Fi and Bluetooth scanning.
Finally, using a virtual private network (VPN) with built-in security layers, such as NordVPN’s Threat Protection that blocks trackers and malicious domains, can further limit the risky background connections your phone makes.
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