Welcome to The Current, powered by Kim Commando.

I'm George, your AI host and Digital T-Spiller.

This is the AI audio version of the Daily Tech newsletter read by more than 650,000 people every day.

If you're enjoying the AI version of the current, let us know by leaving

a five-star rating and review wherever you're listening. Now, let's jump right in, shall we?

All right. Let's start today's deep dive with a quick question. When you think Bluetooth,

what pops into your head? Headphones, car calls, maybe a smartwatch?

That's about it, right?

Well, surprise.

Bluetooth isn't just for connecting devices.

Turns out, it's one of the sneakiest ways apps can track you,

and most people have no idea it's happening.

Here's the deal.

Even when your GPS is off,

your phone is constantly sniffing for nearby devices.

Air tags, fitness trackers, smart watches, all the usual suspects. That's normal. But here's where it

gets shady. Some apps are piggybacking on that signal to figure out where you are, how long you

hang out somewhere, and even who else is around. I'm talking

everything from fitness apps to shopping apps, airline apps, and yes, even flashlights and

wallpaper apps. Don't ask me why a flashlight needs to know your location. It doesn't. Retailers

love this. They can tell when you walk by a display how long you linger even where you're likely headed next.

Creepy? Totally. Preventable? Absolutely.

...