PSA: Google Maps tracks every single step you take

[NoStateofMind]

here’s how to stop it


I hope you’re sitting down right now. Ready? Click this link: https://maps.google.com/locationhistory/

Yeah, I know.

Google’s mobile Maps apps for Android and the iPhone track everywhere you go. Every single day. All of the time.

In Google Maps for the iPhone:
Drag the tab in the bottom left corner to the right to slide open the menu and then tap “Settings.”
Tap “Location History,” then “Location History” again.
Check the box next to “Do not store,” then tap the back arrow.
Tap “Location Reporting.”
Check the box next to “Do not report.”

In Google Maps for Android:
Drag the tab in the bottom left corner to the right to slide open the menu and then tap “Settings.”
Tap “Google location settings.”
Under “Location Services,” tap “Google Location Reporting.”
Tap “Location Reporting”
Slide the toggle to “Off,” then tap the back arrow.
Tap “Location History.”
Slide the toggle to “Off.”
That’s it! You can now rest easy knowing that Google is no longer keeping a record of every single location you visit.


I was pretty shocked at how accurate it was. I never read the disclosure on this (as I doubt anyone does) but it needs to be pointed out in a very direct and specific way so people know what is going on with the product they are using. Then and only then can the consumer make a decision based on their privacy concerns.

 

[Crono]

Already knew about this, turned it off a while back. Google at least is fairly open about what they collect, though they don't necessarily prominently display it on every page. I'm sure Apple and Microsoft do the same, or at least do similarly creepy-seeming data collection - at least for internal testing and development purposes, if nothing else.


https://www.google.com/dashboard

 

[olds]

I have no locations history for any days. Must have turned off the setting at some point.

 

[Cuda1447]

It's actually kinda useful at times. On google now the phone pops up my work route home in the afternoon. It shows me a map of the quickest route and where the trouble spots are. It also gives me estimated drive time compared to what my average is. Kinda cool.... as long as its MY DATA and isn't sold to someone else, I don't mind.

 

[Mixolydian]

I have no locations history for any days. Must have turned off the setting at some point.

Same.

I don't even remember turning anything off though.

 

[ForumMaster]

I turned it off when i was going through the settings initially on my phone.

 

[IronWing]

I clicked your link. It says I need to sign in with a Google account. Seems like something that doesn't apply to folks who don't choose to sign up for it.

 

[purbeast0]

my friend an i were talking about how google maps traffic system works like 2 months ago, and we came to the conclusion that the phones everyone has must be keeping track of location and how fast people are moving between locations, at set intervals, and that is how they base the traffic on google maps. looks like we were right.

 

[Jeff7]

Google Has Statistically Probable Knowledge of What You Did Last Summer.

It's actually kinda useful at times. On google now the phone pops up my work route home in the afternoon. It shows me a map of the quickest route and where the trouble spots are. It also gives me estimated drive time compared to what my average is. Kinda cool.... as long as its MY DATA and isn't sold to someone else, I don't mind.

When you upload, submit, store, send or receive content to or through our Services, you give Google (and those we work with) a worldwide license to use, host, store, reproduce, modify, create derivative works (such as those resulting from translations, adaptations or other changes we make so that your content works better with our Services), communicate, publish, publicly perform, publicly display and distribute such content. The rights you grant in this license are for the limited purpose of operating, promoting, and improving our Services, and to develop new ones.

 

[webdave]

my friend an i were talking about how google maps traffic system works like 2 months ago, and we came to the conclusion that the phones everyone has must be keeping track of location and how fast people are moving between locations, at set intervals, and that is how they base the traffic on google maps. looks like we were right.

Yes Google confirmed this back in 2009.

http://googleblog.blogspot.ca/2009/08/bright-side-of-sitting-in-traffic.html

 

[NoStateofMind]

I clicked your link. It says I need to sign in with a Google account. Seems like something that doesn't apply to folks who don't choose to sign up for it.

I'm not positive that's true. I think you just need to log into your account to see your tracking data. Otherwise they don't know who's data to provide. Does that sound right?

 

[master_shake_]

Never turned it on

 

[lxskllr]

I use OpenStreetMap, and the OsmAnd client for Android. Not as fancy as Google, but it gets me where I need to go, and I can contribute data myself.

I've turned off and/or firewalled most of the Google stuff for my Android. When I'm further into the warranty period, I'll flash a custom recovery, and really gut the device.

 

[SandEagle]

does it also track every breath i take? how about every bond i break? i know its there watching me.

 

[MrPickins]

Yes Google confirmed this back in 2009.

http://googleblog.blogspot.ca/2009/08/bright-side-of-sitting-in-traffic.html

They also bought and integrated Waze, which does the same thing.

 

[John Connor]

Needed to sign in. Pale Moon destroys cookies and cache on exit, plus I'm using Sandboxie. I have the cache turned off though too.

 

[Lonyo]

I clicked your link. It says I need to sign in with a Google account. Seems like something that doesn't apply to folks who don't choose to sign up for it.

If you have an Android phone linked to a Google account, you have it.
When you log in to the same Google account on your computer it will show you the information relating to the devices on that Google account.

 

[poofyhairguy]

As long as they aren't telling anyone else my optimal route to work I honestly don't care.

 

[ThinClient]

If you have an Android phone linked to a Google account, you have it.
When you log in to the same Google account on your computer it will show you the information relating to the devices on that Google account.

I have an android phone linked to a google account. I log in with the same google account on my computer and it shows me that there is NO DATA for any days.

 

[blackangst1]

Interesting thing for me I looked at history for the last 30 days and apparently I took a trip to Katy, TX at some point. Dont ever remember going there lol.

 

[Red Storm]

PSA: "Location History" and "Location Reporting" are actually doing what they say.

I have mine turned on. I like the benefits of Google Now, plus it is useful to look back at your location history sometimes.

 

[olds]

PSA: "Location History" and "Location Reporting" are actually doing what they say.

I have mine turned on. I like the benefits of Google Now, plus it is useful to look back at your location history sometimes.

Especially after a night of heavy drinking and you can't remember where you left your car.

 

[Oldgamer]

here’s how to stop it


I hope you’re sitting down right now. Ready? Click this link: https://maps.google.com/locationhistory/

Yeah, I know.

Google’s mobile Maps apps for Android and the iPhone track everywhere you go. Every single day. All of the time.

In Google Maps for the iPhone:
Drag the tab in the bottom left corner to the right to slide open the menu and then tap “Settings.”
Tap “Location History,” then “Location History” again.
Check the box next to “Do not store,” then tap the back arrow.
Tap “Location Reporting.”
Check the box next to “Do not report.”

In Google Maps for Android:
Drag the tab in the bottom left corner to the right to slide open the menu and then tap “Settings.”
Tap “Google location settings.”
Under “Location Services,” tap “Google Location Reporting.”
Tap “Location Reporting”
Slide the toggle to “Off,” then tap the back arrow.
Tap “Location History.”
Slide the toggle to “Off.”
That’s it! You can now rest easy knowing that Google is no longer keeping a record of every single location you visit.


I was pretty shocked at how accurate it was. I never read the disclosure on this (as I doubt anyone does) but it needs to be pointed out in a very direct and specific way so people know what is going on with the product they are using. Then and only then can the consumer make a decision based on their privacy concerns.

My location say's Zero location data. LOL

 

[zerocool84]

Really OP? This is news to you? If you have a smartphone, doesn't matter which one, you are getting tracked with everything you do. Don't like it? Don't own a smartphone. That's the only way around it.

 

[lxskllr]

Really OP? This is news to you? If you have a smartphone, doesn't matter which one, you are getting tracked with everything you do. Don't like it? Don't own a smartphone. That's the only way around it.

Smart phones give more spying opportunity, but with care can be locked down to flip phone levels. Bad news is flip phones are trivially tracked also. Cell phones are just bad news. I have one for work, and have been enjoying the convenience they bring, but if it weren't for work, I either wouldn't use one at all, or it would be off most of the time.