Latest News

Google clarifies tracking users even with location data turned off
Monday, August 20, 2018 IST
Google clarifies tracking users even with location data turned off

The new language confirms that location data is, indeed, being tracked by some Google apps.

 
 

San Francisco: After facing criticism over reports that certain Google apps track users' whereabouts even when they turn off location data, the tech giant has revised its Help Page, clarifying that it does track location data in order to "improve Google experience".
 
Previously, the Help Page stated: "You can turn off Location History at any time. With Location History off, the places you go are no longer stored."
 
The page now says: "This setting does not affect other location services on your device, like Google Location Services and Find My Device.
 
"Some location data may be saved as part of your activity on other services, like Search and Maps".
 
The new language confirms that location data is, indeed, being tracked by some Google apps.
 
"We have been updating the explanatory language about Location History to make it more consistent and clear across our platforms and help centres," CNET reported on Friday, quoting a Google spokesperson.
 
The Associated Press earlier this week ran a story saying an investigation found that many Google services on Android devices and iPhones store users' location data even if the users explicitly used a privacy setting forbidding that.
 
Researchers from Princeton University confirmed the findings.
 
In an earlier statement, Google had said: "Location History is a Google product that is entirely opt in, and users have the controls to edit, delete or turn it off at any time.
 
"As the (AP) story notes, we make sure Location History users know that when they disable the product, we continue to use location to improve the Google experience when they do things like perform a Google search or use Google for driving directions."
 
But just turning off Location History doesn't solve the purpose. In Google Settings, pausing "Web and App Activity" may do the trick.
 
However, according to the information on Google's Activity Control page, "Even when this setting is paused, Google may temporarily use information from recent searches in order to improve the quality of the active search session".
 

 
 
 
 
 

Related Topics

 
 
 

Trending News & Articles

 Article
Tata Harrier’s 7-seater Version H7X Will Be Quite Different – Report

Tata Harrier’s three-row seat version in works, details out  

Recently posted . 2K views . 0 min read
 

 Article
How to make you car as silent as a Rolls Royce inside

Rolls Royce cars are extremely luxurious. While there are many expensive pieces of equipment in Rolls Royce cars, their most relaxing feature is the silence that ...

Recently posted . 2K views . 2 min read
 

 Article
India's Top 5 Mobile Charger manufacturer Brand 2019

The following list of India's Top 5 Mobile Charger manufacture Brand 2019  

Recently posted . 2K views . 0 min read
 

 Article
Mahindra XUV300 vs Maruti Brezza, Ford EcoSport, Tata Nexon – Price

XUV300 is the latest entrant in the compact SUV segment.

Recently posted . 2K views . 0 min read
 

 
 

More in Electronics & Gadgets

 Article
Tata Harrier drive mode selector teased – Gets ESP terrain response

Tata Harrier, the company’s flagship SUV will be officially launched in January 2019.

Recently posted. 1K views . 0 min read
 

 Article
Reliance Jio to foray into Virtual Reality space next year.

Reliance Jio is working on a Virtual Reality (VR) application that is likely to be released next year. The company will be collaborating with experts at Birmingham ...

Recently posted. 531 views . 1 min read
 

 Article
UMANG App With Digilocker, Income Tax, Passport, CISF Services, And More

The UMANG app has been developed by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and National e-Governance Division to offer services of the central, stat...

Recently posted. 931 views . 2 min read
 

 Video
Best Skills and Technology



Recently posted . 782 views
 

 Reviews
Mahindra XUV300 VS Hyundai Creta Design, Feature Comparison



Recently posted . 2K views . 36 min read
 

 Reviews
Best Earphones Under Rs. 1,000



Recently posted . 1K views . 57 min read
 

 Article
Ultrasonic Transmitters vs Guided Wave Radar for Level Measurement

Ultrasonic is a non-contact level measurement method that uses sound waves to determine the process material being measured.  

Recently posted. 1K views . 1 min read
 

 Article
9 amazing car feature you didn't know..!!

Ever thought what all your car is capable of? No right!! Science and technology have made such incredible advancements that we humans sometimes fail to believe. H...

Recently posted. 901 views . 3 min read
 

 
 
 

   Prashnavali

  Thought of the Day

" Before you start some work, always ask yourself three questions - Why am I doing it, What the results might be and Will I be successful. Only when you think deeply and find satisfactory answers to these questions, go ahead."
Chanakya

Be the first one to comment on this story

Close
Post Comment
Shibu Chandran
2 hours ago

Serving political interests in another person's illness is the lowest form of human value. A 70+ y old lady has cancer.

November 28, 2016 05:00 IST
Shibu Chandran
2 hours ago

Serving political interests in another person's illness is the lowest form of human value. A 70+ y old lady has cancer.

November 28, 2016 05:00 IST
Shibu Chandran
2 hours ago

Serving political interests in another person's illness is the lowest form of human value. A 70+ y old lady has cancer.

November 28, 2016 05:00 IST
Shibu Chandran
2 hours ago

Serving political interests in another person's illness is the lowest form of human value. A 70+ y old lady has cancer.

November 28, 2016 05:00 IST


ads
Back To Top