In one sentence: Privacy settings are the controls in a device, app or website that decide what information you share and who can see it.
Why it matters: They let you change what apps and sites can use, such as your photos, contacts or location. On an iPhone, one example is Settings > Privacy & Security, where each category shows the apps that asked for access. Android phones have similar controls, but the steps differ by phone.
One thing to do: Open the privacy settings on your phone, choose one category such as Photos or Contacts, and turn off access for apps that do not need it.
Related terms: permissions, metadata, tracking cookies
Learn more: Google Docs ‘Anyone With the Link’: Who Can See Your Files?; Recovery Codes and Backups: How Not to Get Locked Out
Checked: 25 Oct 2026. Rules and prices change. If yours looks different, check the organization's own page.
