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Google Maps Can Now Scan Your iPhone Screenshots for Places
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Not a chance in the world I'll let Google scan my screenshots and use them to train their AI and profile me for advertising and more. Forget that.
Just went to the privacy settings to make sure that Photo access is “None” for Google Maps.
I change the default Google search engine on any new device as soon as it boots up in all browsers. I currently use Duck Duck Go.
The only tidbit Google gets is there is a new Apple device on-line and they know where it is located. Then if the iPhone (or other device) actually disables Google, they will not see anymore of my data. In theory.........
Somehow, though, this sweet heart deal between Apple and Google makes me wonder if some part of Google software is still running and sending my data to Google. I wonder how much Google related code is in every Apple operating system? If there were a mechanical switch to turn off Google programing, I would believe it was truly off.
There is truly too much money involved here to believe Google is not getting some or all information.
I will add that backups are being performed all the time on our data by the NSA because they monitor ALL communications here within the US and all of our International traffic as well. Only devices never connected to the Internet or Airwaves might be secure.
The only tidbit Google gets is there is a new Apple device on-line and they know where it is located. Then if the iPhone (or other device) actually disables Google, they will not see anymore of my data. In theory.........
Somehow, though, this sweet heart deal between Apple and Google makes me wonder if some part of Google software is still running and sending my data to Google. I wonder how much Google related code is in every Apple operating system? If there were a mechanical switch to turn off Google programing, I would believe it was truly off.
There is truly too much money involved here to believe Google is not getting some or all information.
I will add that backups are being performed all the time on our data by the NSA because they monitor ALL communications here within the US and all of our International traffic as well. Only devices never connected to the Internet or Airwaves might be secure.
As others have said, 100% will Google ever to be able to access any of my data.
Google Maps has gained the optional ability to scan screenshots in your iPhone's photos and save any found locations to a dedicated list.
Powered by the company's Gemini AI, the new feature lets Google Maps search for any screenshots in your photos, such as social media posts, news articles, and travel blogs, and capture them in the app under a new Screenshots List under the You tab.
The feature scans for shots that include location information like names and addresses, and the app finds associated listings in Google Maps. Users can review those captures via a carousel, and Gemini will automatically identify the associated places and offer to save them with additional details.
The feature's Auto-scan option requires that Google Maps is given the "Allow Access to All Photos" permisssions, so it's not like your photos automatically get scanned. Alternatively, users can browse their photos and manually import screenshots to review. Here's how Google describes the steps involved to save screenshots in Google Maps:
The new capability has rolled out to Google Maps for iOS (in U.S. English), and is likely to extend to other languages and regions soon.
Article Link: Google Maps Can Now Scan Your iPhone Screenshots for Places
Same here... I've been Duck Duck Gone for over a decade.
As far as your concerns Google is still stealth harvesting your data, it's possible, but they already got sued a long time ago for overriding iPhone users privacy settings. Unfortunately they only got fined their equivalent of 50 cents, but they were at least called out. That was the last straw for me. I stay signed out of Google News and YouTube unless I want to make a comment, and the only app of theirs I have installed is Google Earth. Unfortunately there were reports about their apps installing trackers and crap, so I turned off all updates for that too.
I also stay signed out of Facebook. And I banished FB Messenger from my phone years ago because the first time I installed it, the first thing it did was "wave" to all my contacts, without my permission. People I hadn't been in touch with for years, some intentionally. That sucked.
It's one thing if I agree to give you my data, but for them to steal or forcefully take it? Screw them.
The Google mogul that started it was on Apple's Board of Directors and privy to all their plans......
Now you know how they could have back doors to our data .....
Now you know how they could have back doors to our data .....
The purpose it to tag screenshots with location info. The iPhone doesn't add that.