Latest News

Google Is Tracking You: How to Stop It and Delete Past Location Data
Thursday, August 16, 2018 IST
Google Is Tracking You: How to Stop It and Delete Past Location Data

Even if you have Location History off, Google often stores your precise location. Here's how to delete those markers and some best-effort practices that keep your location as private as possible.

 
 

But there's no panacea, because simply connecting to the Internet on any device flags an IP address that can be geographically mapped. Smartphones also connect to cell towers, so your carrier knows your general location at all times.
 
How to stop Google from tracking you
 
1. For any device:
 
Fire up your browser and go to myactivity.google.com. (You'll need to be logged into Google) On the upper left drop-down menu, go to Activity Controls. Turn off both Web & App Activity and Location History. That should prevent precise location markers from being stored to your Google account.
 
 
Google will warn you that some of its services won't work as well with these settings off. In particular, neither the Google Assistant, a digital concierge, nor the Google Home smart speaker will be particularly useful.
 
2. On Android:
 
Under the main settings icon click on Security & location, scroll down to Privacy heading and tap Location. You can toggle it off for the entire device.
 
Use App-level permissions to turn off access to various apps. Unlike the iPhone, there is no setting for While Using. You cannot turn off Google Play services, which supplies your location to other apps if you leave that service on.
 
Sign in as a guest on your Android device by swiping down from top and tapping the downward-facing caret, then again on the torso icon. Be aware of which services you sign in on, like Chrome.
 
You can also change search engines even in Chrome.
 
3. On iOS:
 
If you use Google Maps, adjust your location setting to While Using the App; this will prevent the app from accessing your location when it's not active. Go to Settings > Privacy > Location Services and from there select Google Maps to make the adjustment.
 
In the Safari web browser, consider using a search engine other than Google. Under Settings Safari Search Engine, you can find other options like Bing or DuckDuckGo. You can turn location off while browsing by going to Settings > Privacy > Location Services > Safari Websites, and turn this to Never. (This still won't prevent advertisers from knowing your rough location based on IP address on any website).
 
You can also turn Location Services off to the device almost completely from Settings > Privacy > Location Services. Both Google Maps and Apple Maps will still work, but they won't know where you are on the map and won't be able to give you directions. Emergency responders will still be able to find you if the need arises.
 
 

 
 

How to delete past location tracking Google has on you
 
On the page myactivity.google.com, look for any entry that has a location pin icon beside Details. Clicking on that pops up a window that includes a link that sometimes says From your current location. Clicking on it will open Google Maps, which will display where you were at the time.
 
You can delete it from this popup by clicking on the navigation icon with the three stacked dots and then Delete.
 
Some items will be grouped in unexpected places, such as topic names, google.com, Search, or Maps. You have to delete them item by item. You can wholesale delete all items in date ranges or by service, but will end up taking out more than just location markers.
 

 
 
 
 
 

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
Google’s Android replacement ‘Fuchsia OS’ finally starts taking shape with new dev site

Google has begun preparations for the roll-out of its Fuchsia OS, set to replace Android in the near future. Here’s everything you need to know.

Recently posted. 765 views . 1 min read
 

 Article
LG launches India’s first smartphone with panic button ‘112’

Korean handset maker LG has launched a new K series phone for Rs 13,990 that comes with the push button that is capable of dialling 112. In line...

Recently posted. 575 views . 13 min read
 

 Article
5 WhatsApp settings you should change right now

Facebook-owned WhatsApp messenger has gained immense popularity globally. But privacy remains a concern for many even to this day.  Post the $19 billion acquis...

Recently posted. 790 views . 2 min read
 

 Reviews
Top 10 Best Earphones under 1000 – Comparison & Review



Recently posted . 1K views . 256 min read
 

 Reviews
Motorcycle Review: 2018 Suzuki V-Strom 1000



Recently posted . 982 views . 45 min read
 

 Article
WhatsApp data can be stolen by hackers with these apps: How to save your data?

Some apps present on Google Play Store can help hackers steal your WhatsApp data or give them access to your phone, says a recent report. Here's what you shou...

Recently posted. 751 views . 1 min read
 

 Article
Redmi Note 6, Mi 7 Lite, Mi Mix 3s, and Other Xiaomi Phones Spotted: Report

Xiaomi appears to have big plans in the European markets, a leaked list of upcoming smartphones suggest. The Chinese mobile maker has been expanding into Europe at ...

Recently posted. 765 views . 4 min read
 

 
 
 

   Prashnavali

  Thought of the Day

एक दोस्त ने क्या खूब लिखा है कि "क्यूँ मुश्किलों में साथ देते हैं "दोस्त" "क्यूँ गम को बाँट लेते हैं "दोस्त" "न रिश्ता खून का न रिवाज से बंधा है ! "फिर भी ज़िन्दगी भर साथ देते हैं "दोस्त " 👌👌👌👌👌
Anonymous

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