Princeton University Find Location Tracking

Google records users’ location even when they turn off their location history.

11:26 27 August 2018

A recent study verified by Princeton University researchers has found that Google continues to record users’ location long after they have turned off their location history on their phones. This affects up to two billion Apple and Android devices that use Google for maps or search.

 

To illustrate, Princeton researcher Gunes Acar used an Android phone with location history turned off. The map showed his train commute around New York and even revealed his home address. It also showed his visits to The High Line Park, Chelsea Market, Central Park, Hell’s Kitchen and Harlem.

 

In his blog, security researcher Graham Cluley said: "You would think that telling Google that you didn't want your location to be tracked by disabling an option called "Location History" would stop the internet giant from storing data about your location," 

 

"It seems pretty sneaky to me that Google continues to store location data, unless you both disable "Location history" and "Web & App Activity.""

 

Google has responded by saying: "There are a number of different ways that Google may use location to improve people's experience, including: Location History, Web and App Activity, and through device-level Location Services.

 

"We provide clear descriptions of these tools, and robust controls so people can turn them on or off, and delete their histories at any time."