Aug 14, 2018 11:09:00

The Google application proves to continue tracking and collecting location data even if you disable location information

The Associated Press (AP) reported that some Google apps keep data tracking even if the user turned off the location information of the terminal, keep tracking the position. This issue applies not only to Android users, but also to iPhone users as long as you use Google apps.

AP Exclusive: Google tracks your movements, like it or not
https://apnews.com/828aefab64d4411bac257a07c1af0ecb

According to the AP, even if the position information is turned off with the privacy setting, the location information is tracked and saved in the Google service. For example, when launching the Google Map application, the location at that point is saved as a snapshot, and on the Android terminal, the approximate location is recorded in the automatic update of the weather information application, and "chocolate chip cookie The AP says that even searches, such as searching for precise latitude and longitude, are stored in Google accounts.

According to the AP, it is generally user-specifiable whether to allow tracking of location information with privacy settings, but even if the tracking function of the position information is turned off, all position information tracking functions are invalidated The position information will continue to be referred to unless it is not set and the "Web & App Activity" which is enabled by default in the Google account is not invalidated.

In order to ascertain how powerful this position marker is, the AP created a new Google account and carried out an experiment with a terminal by a postdoctoral researcher at Princeton University with the location history of the Google Map application turned off. In the two visits to New York, the use of the train, the visit to the Chelsea Market and Central Park etc. was recorded. Furthermore, it seems that it was possible to specify the address of the home that was recorded most frequently.

According to the AP, although the location information gathered by Google can be confirmed at " myactivity.google.com ", many location markers are scattered under different headers, many of which are unrelated to the location That is what it is. As a result, the task of deleting location information can be painful, and AP suggests the possibility that Google intentionally degrades accessibility to location data.

In response to AP inquiries, Google says, "There are several ways to use location information to improve the user experience, such as location history, web and app activity, terminal level location information service, etc. About controlling these tools Gives clear explanations and notifications, users can switch ON / OFF of those functions at any time and delete history, "he replies. However, Scene O'Brien of Yale Privacy Laboratories said, "It is dishonest to keep track of location information even if the user disables the location history, I think these facts are what the user should know "I said.

·bonus
If you do not want Google to track location information at all, Android devices need the following work.

Make sure "Location information" in the "Settings" application is set to OFF and tap "Google Location History".