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TECHNOLOGY / IPHONE PRIVACY
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Millions of iPhone Users Have No Idea How Much Data Their Phone Sends — And There’s a Simple Fix
The page you came to read is only part of what loads. Here’s how ads and trackers fit in, and what you can do about them.
November 2026
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You look at a pair of headphones. Later, an ad for the same pair turns up beside an article you’re reading. You didn’t buy them. You might not even have put them in your cart. The visit itself can be a signal that you’re interested.
Alongside the stories, recipes and product pages you open, websites can load ads and tools that measure how you browse. What they collect varies by site and depends on your settings.
THE EXPLAINER
What can a page collect?
- Location signals: Some sites use approximate location to show regional offers.
- Browsing activity: Advertising tools can record which pages or products you view.
- Interests: Ad networks can use browsing signals to decide which ads to show you.
- Engagement: Clicks and time on a page can help measure what gets your attention.
Why some pages feel busier than others
Banner images, videos and ad scripts can load alongside the page you came to see. When supported ads are filtered before they load, there’s less advertising content to download. The difference in load time varies by page, browser and connection.
How ad blocking works on an iPhone
Total Adblock helps filter supported ads and trackers on compatible websites. It can cut down on interruptions, but it won’t block every ad or make your browsing anonymous.
Before installing: Check whether your device and browser are supported, then follow the app’s activation instructions. For other people’s experiences, see Total Adblock reviews on Trustpilot.
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Total Adblock for iPhone
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About $1.58 per month, paid as one $19 payment for the first year. Check the renewal price and subscription terms before purchasing.
ELSEWHERE IN TECH
How to make your phone’s battery last longer · AP News
What happens to your data on an iPhone? · The Guardian