Turn off location reporting - Google Pixel Questions & Answers

How do we turn off location reporting? Not location history.

km8j said:
How do we turn off location reporting? Not location history.
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I don't see that option any more. Used to be right above Location History, right? What I do is this. Go to settings, apps, Google, permissions, turn off Location. Any app that explicitly needs location would prompt me to allow. That way, I know what apps use location. I realize that those apps are already listed under Location; however, I feel safer to disable permission from the Google app itself. If there's no permission, there's no location to report, right? Just an idea.

km8j said:
How do we turn off location reporting? Not location history.
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Click to collapse
Settings > location > Google location history

drock212 said:
Settings > location > Google location history
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Click to collapse
Say what?
That's to turn off location history, not location reporting. OP wants to disable location reporting like the old day.

quangtran1 said:
Say what?
That's to turn off location history, not location reporting. OP wants to disable location reporting like the old day.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Location history uses almost the exact same verbiage. I assume location history is what used to be location reporting.

Settings -> Apps -> Gear in top right -> App Permissions -> Location -> Disable anything you don't want having your location.
As stated above, no permission, no access.

drock212 said:
Location history uses almost the exact same verbiage. I assume location history is what used to be location reporting.
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Click to collapse
No problem. They're different Google concepts. Location history keeps track of where you've been, even across devices. Apps show and use your location history that you've accumulated from all Android devices that are signed in under your Google account. Location reporting gives permission to apps to record your locations. You can choose to have one but not the other.
---------- Post added at 10:14 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:13 PM ----------
fritzgerald said:
Settings -> Apps -> Gear in top right -> App Permissions -> Location -> Disable anything you don't want having your location.
As stated above, no permission, no access.
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Yessir.

fritzgerald said:
Settings -> Apps -> Gear in top right -> App Permissions -> Location -> Disable anything you don't want having your location.
As stated above, no permission, no access.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No. Completely different. Location reporting occurs passively, without user interaction. Removing permissions means you cannot do something actively which invokes location.

km8j said:
No. Completely different. Location reporting occurs passively, without user interaction. Removing permissions means you cannot do something actively which invokes location.
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Click to collapse
Aren't permissions just that? Regardless of passive or active they need permission to access? If an app was able to passively report your location then it would still need to collect that information. If it's still able to do so even when disabling location permissions then what is the point of even denying or allowing permission in the first place?

fritzgerald said:
Aren't permissions just that? Regardless of passive or active they need permission to access? If an app was able to passively report your location then it would still need to collect that information. If it's still able to do so even when disabling location permissions then what is the point of even denying or allowing permission in the first place?
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Actually, apps can be written not to request active GPS or WiFi permission on the user's part. That part is very concerning. However, as an app developer myself, I have rules stipulating that I have to prompt for permission acceptance. It's vague. I can directly measure GPS and WiFi sensors without asking for permission if my purpose is to determine battery consumption or something similar. However, I can't ethically report your location without your approval for ads, for example. But it's murky water.

quangtran1 said:
Actually, apps can be written not to request active GPS or WiFi permission on the user's part. That part is very concerning. However, as an app developer myself, I have rules stipulating that I have to prompt for permission acceptance. It's vague. I can directly measure GPS and WiFi sensors without asking for permission if my purpose is to determine battery consumption or something similar. However, I can't ethically report your location without your approval for ads, for example. But it's murky water.
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Click to collapse
I did not know that. Thanks for clarifying for me. That is kinda concerning. Not from a foil hat wearing, OMG the government is tracking me stand point but, it leaves the general user, myself included, believing that if the permission has been denied that the app can't collect location data. Which clearly isn't the case. Personally I turn all location services I can off, not for any particular reason I just don't care to know that I went to Taco Bell for dinner at 5:37PM 6 years ago. I do however, like to know that when I say XX can't know my location, it doesn't know.

fritzgerald said:
I did not know that. Thanks for clarifying for me. That is kinda concerning. Not from a foil hat wearing, OMG the government is tracking me stand point but, it leaves the general user, myself included, believing that if the permission has been denied that the app can't collect location data. Which clearly isn't the case. Personally I turn all location services I can off, not for any particular reason I just don't care to know that I went to Taco Bell for dinner at 5:37PM 6 years ago. I do however, like to know that when I say XX can't know my location, it doesn't know.
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Click to collapse
I'm with you. It's noone's business where I've been.
http://www.wired.co.uk/article/android-apps-can-track-you-without-using-gps-or-wi-fi

D zzm nuujjjjjhjjkio 000
Sent from my SM-N910C using Tapatalk

fritzgerald said:
Aren't permissions just that? Regardless of passive or active they need permission to access? If an app was able to passively report your location then it would still need to collect that information. If it's still able to do so even when disabling location permissions then what is the point of even denying or allowing permission in the first place?
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Yea but I want to be able to use location services when I initiate it. Location Reporting gathers your location in the background regularly, which I want to turn off. That is different from location history.

Related

[Q] App and privacy issue

I'd like to pone a privacy problem.
In Android ,installed apps require permissions to operate. Permissions to access the Phone Id (also the IMEI) or the position of the device or the access to your calls seem very common in most apps on the market.
Permission for the position seems ok for a Gps navigation program but also for an alarm clock? Where do they sent my data and what use they do?
I use LBE privacy guard but it is enough?
what do you think?
Toriko said:
I'd like to pone a privacy problem.
In Android ,installed apps require permissions to operate. Permissions to access the Phone Id (also the IMEI) or the position of the device or the access to your calls seem very common in most apps on the market.
Permission for the position seems ok for a Gps navigation program but also for an alarm clock? Where do they sent my data and what use they do?
I use LBE privacy guard but it is enough?
what do you think?
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Click to collapse
are you a thief?? :laugh:
Most of the permissions are for ads bases on location
Batcom2
xxXismakillXxx said:
are you a thief?? :laugh:
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Click to collapse
No, but I'm thinking about it. Seriously, have you ever wonder why you get web searches, translations and other services for free and yet the companies that handle the sites are billionaires? Because they sell your personal data and your commercial preferences to other companies without your permission. Think about it when you post your personal data on the web.
zelendel said:
Most of the permissions are for ads bases on location
Batcom2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not so sure about that. However if I buy an ad free app , there shouldn't be any ads. And why an alarm clock need my phone id and can access my call log? It's fishy.
Toriko said:
I'd like to pone a privacy problem.
In Android ,installed apps require permissions to operate. Permissions to access the Phone Id (also the IMEI) or the position of the device or the access to your calls seem very common in most apps on the market.
Permission for the position seems ok for a Gps navigation program but also for an alarm clock? Where do they sent my data and what use they do?
I use LBE privacy guard but it is enough?
what do you think?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Rule of thumb: Every app that asks for unique device numbers, location and a backchannel does so because it contains advertisement. Advertisers simply love to track customers and find out as much as possible about them in order to deliver ads that actually result in a sale (contrary to popular belief, they don't do that just to annoy the crap out of everyone).
Personally, I don't use LBE privacy guard. I haven't seen the source and that pretty much means it is as much a blackbox as the apps, it is suppose to protect me from. For me, rooting and installing a firewall to simply block the backchannel does the trick.
If u filter out apps for their permissions, u will have nothing but the system apps left on the phone! even I used to check permissions b4 downloading at the beginning. Then as I downloaded a lot of apps i was lazy enough to give a dang to wat permissions the app wants! just see through the comments (reviews) to know if there are any issues with the app! That's it.! And nowadays the app developer tries to explain the reason for each permission the app asks for. So sooner all apps are gonna be explaining their permissions! (hopefully)
zelendel said:
Most of the permissions are for ads bases on location
Batcom2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is true although some use it to collect app usage information for the purpose of improving the app. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to determine exactly why a particular permission is requested.
onyxbits said:
Personally, I don't use LBE privacy guard. I haven't seen the source and that pretty much means it is as much a blackbox as the apps, it is suppose to protect me from. For me, rooting and installing a firewall to simply block the backchannel does the trick.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Installing a firewall won't solve the problem, because you can't stop apps that need connection : together with the access to the net they send your data. LBE allows the access for the app but block the transmission of your id together with other data.
Anyway LBE also works as a firewall. There's another app that works the same way (Pdroid) but supports only Gingerbread.

The one feature iOS has that I wish Android had..

Is the ability to manage app-specific privacy permissions--you can turn off an app's ability to query your location. I hate seeing the GPS reticle kick on when I open Facebook, but I don't have any choice but to agree to the permissions when I download the app. I know pdroid works, but this shoud be OS-level.
tekhna said:
Is the ability to manage app-specific privacy permissions--you can turn off an app's ability to query your location. I hate seeing the GPS reticle kick on when I open Facebook, but I don't have any choice but to agree to the permissions when I download the app. I know pdroid works, but this shoud be OS-level.
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you could disable location settings in all the apps you dont want to have location used in? unless im misunderstanding you?
i do taht with all my apps including facebook.
the only time my GPS is turned on is for when i use navigation.
..
ddurandSGS3 said:
you could disable location settings in all the apps you dont want to have location used in? unless im misunderstanding you?
i do taht with all my apps including facebook.
the only time my GPS is turned on is for when i use navigation.
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Unless I've fundamentally missed some aspect of Android, if you grant an app permission to use your location when you install it, there is no way subsequently to prevent it from using your location without turning off location access entirely. iOS allows you to install an app that wants to use your location, but then deny it access.
tekhna said:
Unless I've fundamentally missed some aspect of Android, if you grant an app permission to use your location when you install it, there is no way subsequently to prevent it from using your location without turning off location access entirely. iOS allows you to install an app that wants to use your location, but then deny it access.
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it mightve read that way, but i wasnt being condescending or anything. I hope you didnt take it that way!
was just saying, i dont have GPS turn on for any app that I use except for navigation. I turn it off in settings and in the apps when requested or when i see it in settings.
does it still track in that case? I never see the icon.
tekhna said:
Is the ability to manage app-specific privacy permissions--you can turn off an app's ability to query your location. I hate seeing the GPS reticle kick on when I open Facebook, but I don't have any choice but to agree to the permissions when I download the app. I know pdroid works, but this shoud be OS-level.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Install a ROM with PDroid
tekhna said:
Is the ability to manage app-specific privacy permissions--you can turn off an app's ability to query your location. I hate seeing the GPS reticle kick on when I open Facebook, but I don't have any choice but to agree to the permissions when I download the app. I know pdroid works, but this shoud be OS-level.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Pdroid.... Get synergy..
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app
Did people just miss the part where I said pdroid is cool and all, but it should be integrated into the OS?
tekhna said:
Did people just miss the part where I said pdroid is cool and all, but it should be integrated into the OS?
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Click to collapse
I'd doesn't matter what you have installed on android or iOS. Your location is always being tracked by WiFi or you data coverage. Unless you have your phone in airplane mode or turned off you will never have true privacy.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app
tekhna said:
Did people just miss the part where I said pdroid is cool and all, but it should be integrated into the OS?
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Click to collapse
pdroid is not just an app. it has to be integrated into the actual framework of the os. therefore I don't understand how it didn't fulfill your request.
corbn89 said:
pdroid is not just an app. it has to be integrated into the actual framework of the os. therefore I don't understand how it didn't fulfill your request.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What he is saying is the he should not have to root and install a custom ROM with pdroid to be able to do this. His point was that it should be built in to STOCK android.
z06mike said:
What he is saying is the he should not have to root and install a custom ROM with pdroid to be able to do this. His point was that it should be built in to STOCK android.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ah I see. that case is unlikely then. Google is pretty much king at mining data for advertising profit and I don't think they would do anything to restrict that unless forced by law.
also, unless you have a nexus phone, every " stock" android is actually already a custom Rom created by the phone manufacturer. some manufacturers make it harder to install privacy protection measures than others. that's unfortunately one of the downsides of open source.
Miui let's you handle each app independently... there is also a mod to I stall the LBE guard instead of supersu on any ROM and you can monitor each app independently. Search for the MIUI superuser app
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2
Why do you not have this posted in Q&A.
I would assume you could find answers there instead of just complaining about it here.
Sent from club Clean Rom

How to spoof Google Maps Location Sharing? (fake gps apps don't work)

Greetings.
I'm trying to spoof Google Maps location sharing into showing a fake GPS position to the other party. I tried several fake GPS apps, and while they are running Google Maps shows the spoofed location, however - Location Sharing stops sharing and is frozen on the last (real) location that was shared before the spoofing started.
I'm open to any ideas how to achieve this.
Thanks.
ThrowFarAway39 said:
I'm open to any ideas how to achieve this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know if there is a better answer but maybe you can try a mock gps location app that constantly changes its location (with concomitant altitude changes) every few seconds?
The free gsf free google free ad free highly rated mock gps location app I use that has a setting for random motion (for example every 3 seconds it moves 30 feet from a given starting point) is Lexa (but I'm sure others exist that also will fake motion and altitude over time).
[Lexa] Fake GPS location​
All you do is enable Developer Options and then set the "Default Mock Location App" to Lexa (or to whatever fake GPS location app you chose).
Here's what Google Play says about the Lexa fake-GPS location app.
Teleport your phone to any place in the world with two clicks! This app sets up fake GPS location so every other app in your phone belives you are there!​​Has Tasker support and can be started/stopped from command line (See FAQ for details)​​+++IMPORTANT+++​Be aware that after using FakeGPS you may find your location LOCKED TO THE LAST MOCKED LOCATION EVENT AFTER UNINSTALL FakeGPS!​​It's not a bug and your GPS sensor isn't broken. There are two ways to fix this issue:​1. Install "GPS Status" from the Play, launch and get a fresh GPS fix. You may need to repeat it several times with 30 min interval.​2. Start FakeGPS, set your real location and leave it so for several hours.​You may combine these steps. The issue will disappear in one or two days - be patient.​​For ROOTED devices you can mock locations without enabling "Allow mock locations" option. To do so please use Root Explorer or other similar app and move /data/app/ru.lexa.fakegps~1.apk to /system/priv-app or to /system/app (for Android 4.3 and older). Then change apk permissions to rw-r-r and reboot your device. If you find apk in /syste/priv-app disappears after reboot it means that your devices has S-ON mode enabled and so restores /system folder aftear each reboot. Please google how to switch your device to S-OFF mode.​​If you can't find ru.lexa.fakegps.apk in /data/app you may find it at /mnt/asec/ru.lexa.fakegps/1.apk. In this case you should copy and rename it to /system/priv-app/ru.lexa.fakegps.apk.​​
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Even though I'm normally set up with my Location radios off, I like trhat this app can startup at boot and run constantly (whether my Android Location is on or off).
If any app asks for Location (such as Wi-Fi debuggers), then I let them get the fake location. But if I need the real location, I just open up the fake location app and press the "Pause" button.
When I'm done needing my real location, I just open up the fake location app and press the "Play" button to start it up again. (Of course, that jumps to the fake location, and randomly moves from there, so it's not perfect.)
There's also the FOSS ad free app named "Private Location" which seems to have a bit less functionality (but perhaps more privacy?)
F-Droid Private Location
GitHub Private Location
GalaxyA325G said:
I don't know the answer but maybe you can try a mock gps location app that constantly changes its location every few seconds?
The one I use does that I think (you can set the update period if 3 seconds and 30 feet is too fast or too slow for you, I think).
[Lexa] Fake GPS location​
Here's what it says about the app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
U just replied to a inactive thread that's been inactive for over 2 years
And op been inactive since February 3 2019
Austinredstoner said:
U just replied to a inactive thread that's been inactive for over 2 years
And op been inactive since February 3 2019
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The others are looking for similar problems and will be able to find hints
I can suggest to use XPrivacyLua and define of fake lacation for Maps or define correct location but with predefined (meters) inaccuracy.
Just use GPS Emulator. I use it all the time.
The application icon is green with a black hat on it.
Tomek0000 said:
The others are looking for similar problems and will be able to find hints
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree. I feel it's better to add to an existing question than it is to create the exact same question as a separate thread. It's easier for people who search to find the answers and for others to add better or more detailed solutions.
Tomek0000 said:
I suggest XPrivacyLua
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
dedq said:
Just use GPS Emulator.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Also, sometimes an app name isn't unique, or, it has multiple locations, so I always strive to add a link to the app so that the person searching has an easier time finding the suggested solutions.
To that end, here are the three fake-gps apps with spoofing of location movement (with concomitant altitude changes) that were suggested (in the order they were suggested).
Fake GPS Location, by Lexa (free, no ads, no gsf, rating 4.6)
XPrivacyLua, by Marcel Bokhorst (free, no ads, no gsf, no rating, needs rooting)
GPS Emulator, by RosTeam (free, has ads, requires gsf, rating 4.6)
I'm not sure if I found the correct links, particularly for XPrivacyLua which seems to need rooting and which also has a lot of links that point to different aspects of the program.
XPrivacyLua on Google Play
XPrivacyLua on GitHub
XPrivacyLua on xda
XPrivacyLua on Xposed
XPrivacyLua on FairCode
If others can confirm or correct the links above, everyone else will instantly benefit who search for and find this answer.

App with trackers, permissions

Hi there,
I am a newbie with Android and smart phones.
As an old-school tech, from Windows 3.0 to Gnu/Linux, I want for long time avoid all GAFAM stuff and keep a bit of privacy and security.
I came across the Exodus site and try to find app with zero tracker and minimum permission.
Do you care about that?
Do you use FOSS apps?
Do you have a list of usual apps that fulfill your need AND privacy?
Any help, advise, list of apps (browser, messaging, files management, maintenance, ...) are welcome.
Thank you
IMHO it doesn't matter where you fetch apps from: F-Droid, Google Play Store, etc.pp.
Apps typically request normal premissions and dangerous permissoins.
Dangerous persmissions are
READ_CALENDAR
WRITE_CALENDAR
CAMERA
READ_CONTACTS
WRITE_CONTACTS
GET_ACCOUNTS
ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION
ACCESS_COARSE_LOCATION
RECORD_AUDIO
READ_PHONE_STATE
READ_PHONE_NUMBERS
CALL_PHONE
ANSWER_PHONE_CALLS
READ_CALL_LOG
WRITE_CALL_LOG
ADD_VOICEMAIL
USE_SIP
PROCESS_OUTGOING_CALLS
BODY_SENSORS
SEND_SMS
RECEIVE_SMS
READ_SMS
RECEIVE_WAP_PUSH
RECEIVE_MMS
READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE
WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE
and only become activated if user clicks ALLOW to them: so it's on user what permissions can be used by an app.
So-called normal permissions get allowed by default without any user interaction.
jwoegerbauer said:
and only become activated if user clicks ALLOW to them: so it's on user what permissions can be used by an app.
So-called normal permissions get allowed by default without any user interaction.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I you sure only normal permissions get allowed by default without any user interaction? and where can I separately allow or deny them? Is there a place where all these permissions are explained and what I'll block in the app when denied?
What about tracker? Is it possible to deactivate them?
I think trackers are more intrusive than permissions. Am I right?
MrNice said:
I you sure only normal permissions get allowed by default without any user interaction? and where can I separately allow or deny them? Is there a place where all these permissions are explained and what I'll block in the app when denied?
What about tracker? Is it possible to deactivate them?
I think trackers are more intrusive than permissions. Am I right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, only normal permissions get allowed by default, the apps will ask for the rest of them and you can deny them if you want. Also the only way to disable trackers is with aurora appwarden or trackercontrol, but sometimes the apps with disabled trackers could crash.
@MrNice
an app only can track you if it has the related Android permission granted to do so.
The Penguin said:
Also the only way to disable trackers is with aurora appwarden or trackercontrol,
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
jwoegerbauer said:
an app only can track you if it has the related Android permission granted to do so.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hummm, for me, these 2 sentences look like an oxymoron.
Could you explain?
My last 2 cents here:
An app doesn't have trackers, it only has granted permissions, but an app may behave as tracker - where it doesn't matter whatever it will track - if it got granted the related permissions.
Have a nice day.
I use Karma Firewall to log/see what's accessing the internet and block it if needed.
Many don't need internet access to be functional.
Some of the worst offenders I uninstalled.
Gookill is the worst offender, I keep Google play Services and Playstore disabled 99% of the time.
Some freeware apps are perfect. They do nothing except what they're suppose to do and never attempt internet access; keepers.

"Show Place Names" Privacy Concerns?

I have a Galaxy S23 Ultra and I see an option to show place names in the gallery. To turn it on I have to accept the "foursquare privacy policy" where they get to receive and keep my location data. I am obviously very skeptical of this, but on the other hand this seems like a great feature to help for searching photo's as I travel alot.
Does anyone know more about this feature? How it works and any known privacy concerns?
Thanks!
The camera app tracks your geographic location and adds it to the photos you take. The gallery app shows location information. All of these involve your privacy. Therefore, to use this feature, the camera and gallery app must obtain your consent to comply with the privacy policy.
James_Watson said:
The camera app tracks your geographic location and adds it to the photos you take. The gallery app shows location information. All of these involve your privacy. Therefore, to use this feature, the camera and gallery app must obtain your consent to comply with the privacy policy.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes I am aware of all that.....
I am specifically referencing the "add place names" feature in the gallery which has it's own separate tick mark, and privacy policy that you have to accept with "foursquare".
Timelinex said:
I have a Galaxy S23 Ultra and I see an option to show place names in the gallery. To turn it on I have to accept the "foursquare privacy policy" where they get to receive and keep my location data. I am obviously very skeptical of this, but on the other hand this seems like a great feature to help for searching photo's as I travel alot.
Does anyone know more about this feature? How it works and any known privacy concerns?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would stick to Google Photos for this purpose. Not comfortable handing data over to a hundred and more unknown entities.

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