Google's iOS and Android Apps Track and Store Location Data With Location History Disabled

[fairuz]

In response to a query about the Location History tracking, Google said that it is clear about its location policies. As it turns out though, the way Google collects location data is confusing and misleading.

Lol, classic Google. I think Google themselves are confused about this too. Seems like a lot of what they do is complicated and spread out, by the nature of the company, but that's also how they expand so much.

I'd call the privacy violation due more to neglect than intentional wrongdoing. In either case Apple is much better about this.

 

[StellarVixen]

If you didn't expect this then you've been living under a rock. This is Google all day every day. I'd be more surprised if they didn't do this.

2016-2017
Collecting the location information by using the data from cell towers even with the location services turned OFF, thus telling the end user YOU WILL BE TRACKED NO MATTER WHAT.

And now this...

If Apple did this, people would be already in front of their doors with pitchforks and torches.
Google has been getting away with so many crimes basically since its inception.

But, they will not get away for any much longer.

 

[mi7chy]

Unlike Apple, Google allow you to see, remove and disable the data. As a matter of fact, on Android you can remain anonymous and not sign into Android unlike iOS that requires signing in and everything tracked to iCloud. Still no excuse for Siri, Apple Maps, etc. for being so crappy.

 

[DNichter]

It's going to be interesting to see where this company goes in the future. Privacy is only going to become more and more important to people. How can Google survive without mining their users' data? They are already considering ditching Android and creating a new OS that is locked down like Apple's - I guess they can take this route, but they will have a long way to go. They should have headed in this direction years ago.

 

[cipher29]

I love how you can't just bulk erase all your stored locations. You have to delete each day's tracking one at a time!

This is classic Google... You should try delete Google Photos - it's hilariously difficult to do... I had 30,000 photos and the only way to delete them reliably was about 500 at a time. There is NO easy way to delete photo libraries from Google Photos. Their docs say just to "Select All" and hit delete, but, it always fails, regardless of what browser or machine you use. It literally took me hours to unleash myself from Google Photos.

F Google.

 

[Faelan]

Of course they do, no one should be surprised by this. The only reason Google services or products exist is to collect user data and sell ads.

Problem is, they keep shoving the wrong ads in my direction. I mean... why am I getting ads for female hygiene products on YouTube? My wife laughed when I told her, then said jokingly "is there something we need to talk about?".

99% of the ads I'm served by Google completely miss the mark or are just not relevant to me (getting ads for a product just after having ordered it - lol) and I'm not trying to obfuscate what I'm doing on the net and I'm the only one using those devices where I'm logged in to my Google account.

I've gone into my Google account and looked at the ad settings and some of the stuff they've recorded as me being interested in just baffles me. In short, I think they're terrible at what they're doing with my data. But somehow they're making plenty of money. I guess quantity of data is more important than quality.

 

[DNichter]

Problem is, they keep shoving the wrong ads in my direction. I mean... why am I getting ads for female hygiene products on YouTube? My wife laughed when I told her, then said jokingly "is there something we need to talk about?".

99% of the ads I'm served by Google completely miss the mark or are just not relevant to me (getting ads for a product just after having ordered it - lol) and I'm not trying to obfuscate what I'm doing on the net and I'm the only one using those devices where I'm logged in to my Google account.

I've gone into my Google account and looked at the ad settings and some of the stuff they've recorded as me being interested in just baffles me. In short, I think they're terrible at what they're doing with my data. But somehow they're making plenty of money. I guess quantity of data is more important than quality.

I think your last statement nails it. They care about advertising revenue, not necessarily if you're getting any value from it.

 

[Mike MA]

“Don’t be Evil”. Yeah right Google. Dirty Stuff!

Google/Alphabet removed the clause from their code of conduct.

 

[guerro]

I imagine there is some obscure sentence/paragraph in the 100 page EULA where when one sets up his/her phone he/she accepts that Google and Apple will track them. And I am sure everyone reads the EULA, right?

 

[racerhomie]

Is anyone planning to sue?

 

[Cordorb]

Explain more about this Google Account in the artical ?
What if we never signed up for the Google account that pops up every now and then ?
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[Heineken]

Unlike Apple, Google allow you to see, remove and disable the data. As a matter of fact, on Android you can remain anonymous and not sign into Android unlike iOS that requires signing in and everything tracked to iCloud. Still no excuse for Siri, Apple Maps, etc. for being so crappy.

Nice Segway into another rant about the same.

 

[rafark]

Of course they do. Pretty much any website on the planet does. This forum tracks you. Almost certainly any web service from a major company does it as well. I bet my life Apple do it as well. As long as you're making a connection with a remote web server, you can be tracked.

 

[scottishwildcat]

Enough of a reason to ditch android and all google apps

It's really not. I'll keep using them very happily, thanks.

 

[mi7chy]

Nice Segway into another rant about the same.

Truth hurts, huh? First thing you have to do on an iOS device is sign in before you can use it so everything is tracked to iCloud. On Android and Google services it's optional if you want to remain anonymous.

 

[Dave.UK]

[doublepost=1534189135][/doublepost]A whore of a company that can't make anything original...

You mean Apple did this first?

 

[LizKat]

Whoever uses google is crazy I only have YouTube installed but the question is what Apple going to do about it

So tired of all the tracking. Why track me anyway, I'm in de-clutter and yard sale mode at my age, so I'm not going to buy that pricey Hermès scarf, maybe not even a new coffee mug if I manage to keep not breaking the two that I already have.

I sometimes wish for the day when my purchase of the NYT for 35c cash on the newsstand counter was pretty anonymous even if the newsie knew I always went to the bagel shop next.

 

[macfacts]

Is anyone really surprised..?

I'm not surprised that Apple's app approval process and walled garden is fake. Apple needs to do a better job protecting users.

 

[Rocko99991]

Unlike Apple, Google allow you to see, remove and disable the data. As a matter of fact, on Android you can remain anonymous and not sign into Android unlike iOS that requires signing in and everything tracked to iCloud. Still no excuse for Siri, Apple Maps, etc. for being so crappy.

No. Murderers are caught using this 'disabled' or 'deleted' info. It's there.

 

[CarpalMac]

It's going to be interesting to see where this company goes in the future. Privacy is only going to become more and more important to people. How can Google survive without mining their users' data? They are already considering ditching Android and creating a new OS that is locked down like Apple's - I guess they can take this route, but they will have a long way to go. They should have headed in this direction years ago.

Whilst people use Facebook, privacy will never be that import to people to reach a level that would worry Google. The only people who seem worried are the minority on here, particularly those who claim never to use any of Googles services.

 

[Fatboy71]

Not really surprised, as its Google, and its all about advertising and information gathering with them.
I only use Google Maps for the Street View feature, and for navigation purposes, I use Apple Maps.

 

[Heineken]

Whilst people use Facebook, privacy will never be that import to people to worry Google. The only people who seem worried are the minority on here, particularly those who claim never to use any of Googles services.

I used to use google maps until very recently. Like 5 minutes ago. Deleted the last one.

 

[rafark]

If you didn't expect this then you've been living under a rock. This is Google all day every day. I'd be more surprised if they didn't do this.

[MEH FACE]
oh wow. google tries all sorts of tricks to collect user data. that’s amazing. i’m shocked, shocked I say.
[/MEH FACE]

Google and every other company does it. You don't need any fancy "Location Services" to get the location of a web client. You just need an ip, and ip's are REQUIRED for a web connection. Do you really think a company as large as Apple doesn't track every connection to its servers in some way? The only difference, perhaps, would be that Apple doesn't "share" this information, but honestly we have no way to tell.

 

[mi7chy]

No. Murderers are caught using this 'disabled' or 'deleted' info. It's there.

While Apple protect terrorists and pedos.

 

[DNichter]

Whilst people use Facebook, privacy will never be that import to people to reach a level that would worry Google. The only people who seem worried are the minority on here, particularly those who claim never to use any of Googles services.

I think we are only scratching the surface on the privacy issue, but you have a point - most people blindly trust Google with their data and don't think twice about it. They see free and they jump on it.