Location Data via Google Maps: The use of smartphones has increased so rapidly all over the world that it seems like a revolution has taken place. With this one mobile phone, companies can understand the behavior and needs of a large number of people. If we are able to know where a mobile device is, then many types of information can be obtained from it.
Mobile location data helps us understand where customers are and what they are doing at what time. By analyzing this information with other data, many business related problems can be solved. This is the reason why mobile location data is considered the most important information in the world.
Google’s privacy policy explains how the company uses your location data when you use its products and services, and how you can control it. But before that, it’s important to know what location data is.
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What is location data?
In simple words, location data is information about the location of a device or smartphone. It tells where the device was at what time. It is believed that this device is with a person, so the information extracted from it is used by hiding the identity of the device. In this way, this information is not related to just one or two people, but it reveals the movement of a large number of people.
These smartphones have allowed the location data industry to understand how people move and behave in the real world. This is location data. It can be obtained in many different ways.
Why is it not easy to avoid location tracking?
It is not easy to avoid location tracking technology because it is very convenient and also gives some people a sense of security. Many people use location sharing apps to tell their friends and family where they are. Parents use apps like Apple AirTags or Samsung SmartTags to keep an eye on young children.
Most people who are fond of traveling put a GPS tag on their luggage so that it can be found if it gets lost. It is common to tell on social media where you are traveling. People also post their photos and videos while tagging the location.
It is common to use navigation apps like Google Maps for route information. All online food delivery companies and online taxis also use Google Maps for location tracking. Even car insurance companies have started tracking information of vehicles. With this, they can estimate how risky the driver is and can increase or decrease the insurance amount accordingly. These companies see how fast you drive or how hard you apply the brakes.
This is how location tracking is done…
You already know about smartphones, smartwatches and computer systems for location tracking, but there are many other technologies through which you unknowingly share most of your personal information. Like banking apps – Paytm, Google Pay etc. These apps track the phone’s location data so that any suspicious transactions can be prevented. Apart from this, home security systems also use location data.
Security concerns have also been raised about cameras installed at airports that have facial recognition technology. Many people fear that this information may be used against us. Which websites you click on, which online tracking codes are on your computer, what things have been purchased with the credit card, all these together create a special kind of digital diary.
How does Google use location data?
Google uses your location information in a variety of ways, depending on the services or features you use and the settings on your device or account. Google may use or save your location information to bring you more value.
For example, when you search for something on Google, Google can show results based on your location. Suppose if you search for ‘movie show’ on Google, then Google will show you shows of cinema halls near you, not shows of some other city. Similarly, location information is also used in Google Maps so that you can find yourself on the map and see the route to the place you want to go.
Where is location data usually used?
Actually, this data of yours can be sold to any big company at any time. Such as companies selling data, foreign governments, police or any company can also buy it.
Thorin Klosowski, a security and privacy activist working for the Electronic Frontier Foundation, told National Geographic, “I think it’s very difficult for a single person to understand where their own data is scattered around the world. If this data gets into the hands of the wrong people, they can use it as a weapon to find you and harm you.” The Electronic Frontier Foundation is an NGO that works to protect digital privacy and freedom of speech.
At the same time, the police also often look at location data and search history while investigating. Until some time ago, it was also used to obtain warrants for people present in a particular area. In such a situation, it is a big threat to people’s privacy.
How to control device location?
You can control which apps can use your device’s location and which cannot by going to the settings of the Android device. In the settings, you will get the option to choose whether the app can know your exact location or only approximate location. Also, now you can also set when an app can see your location: always, only when using the app, ask every time you open the app or never.
