Google clarifies how it tracks a user's location even if they turn the setting off
After coming under fire from critics, Google has clarified how it tracks users even if they've disabled a "Location History" setting. Key points: Google tweaks help page describing how its "Location History" works An investigation found some Google apps stored user location with the setting off The privacy issue affects iPhone and Android users Previously, the help page had stated: "… with Location History off, the places you go are no longer stored." Lots of Google apps use your location information, which it stores in a "timeline" handled by a setting called Location History. Here's what Princeton computer scientist and former chief technologist for the Federal Communication Commission's enforcement bureau Jonathan Mayer said about the practice before Google changed its help page: "If you're going to allow users to turn off something called 'Location History', then all the places where you maintain location history should be turned off," Mr Mayer said. There the company notes: "Some location data may be saved as part of your activity on other Google services, like Search and Maps."
Google will now automatically delete your location, web history after 18 months
There's no escaping from Google collecting your data or tracking your location
Google is storing user location data from your phones, despite being told not to
Discover Related
Google Maps to delete your location history soon: Know-why
Switching Off This 1 Phone Setting Could Instantly Help Protect Your Safety
12 Hidden iOS settings every iPhone user should try
Find my iPhone: Why tracking your partner’s mobile is a slippery slope
Vulnerabilities in GPS smartphone technology could let hackers map home interiors
Google and Apple join hands to help users know if they are being tracked by someone
Google Maps Has A Private Mode For Users: All You Need To Know
Google Maps to add new Timeline feature to remember places you visited
California settles with Google over location privacy practices for $93 million
Google looks to Android’s future, with a wary eye on the past
Explained | Why Google’s location tracking settlement made history
Google agrees to pay $391 mn in users' location data tracking lawsuit
Scared about your privacy? Here's how to turn off precise location feature in iPhones
The DHS Bought a ‘Shocking Amount’ of Phone-Tracking Data
The Most Popular Period-Tracking Apps, Ranked by Data Privacy
Google to erase more location info as abortion bans expand
DC, 3 states sue Google saying it invades users’ privacy
D.C. and 3 states sue Google, saying it invades users’ privacy
Apple says iPhone privacy feature remains active amid network fight
How to automatically delete your location history on Google Maps
How to enable Incognito Mode on Google Maps using iPhone and iPad, check here
A Simple Software Fix Could Limit Location Data Sharing
How to turn Instagram location services on or off on your iPhone: All you need to know
Google may create Apple Find My-like network for Android soon
Google Deliberately Made It Difficult For Android Users To Find Privacy Settings: Report
Google I/O 2021: All Privacy, Security Features Coming to Android, Search and More
Google ends sale of ads using individual web tracking data