5 ms·

Google collects location data from WLAN networks in reach, triangulates from cell tower signal strength, GPS, GLONASS, geoip and if all that fails, sheer histor

Google collects location data from WLAN networks in reach, triangulates from cell tower signal strength, GPS, GLONASS, geoip and if all that fails, sheer historical prediction. And no one quite knows why, other than "because we can". There is Google Maps, but when I'm not using it, when exactly is this orwellian infrastructure to my benefit and not exclusively Googles?

izuchukwu 9y ago
“personalized search” While a true statement, it’s unfortunate how broad of a license it ultimately provides.
- John_KZ 9y ago
  And the funny thing is that many of us don't even want personalized search.
- strong_silent_t 9y ago
  2-way personalized search. You search Google and Google searches you.
- mancerayder 9y ago
  It's extremely cumbersome and confusing to turn off. At first, it was opt-in. Once would ignore the notifications to turn things on, and eventually things became opt-out. But it's not 100% clear what one is opting out of - the only thing that seems you can really opt out of are ad-related tracking (by 'request' it seems - the ad tech companies get to use the honor system), and personalized recommendations. Well, just because you turn off recommendations doesn't mean they're not already collecting your personalized data - even if you don't use it. Did I make mistakes in the above paragraph? Probably. But you know what, that's Google's fault, because it sure isn't clear what they aren't and are doing, who can and can't use it, and what I can can't opt out of. That's the really frustrating part, here. It's purposely obfuscated and changing - similar to Facebook's privacy settings - to keep you on your toes even if you are in the tiny percentage of the population that actually cares. Most won't until something panicky / headliney happens to make them care. I'm kind of glad the EU is making life tough for American tech companies with regards to privacy (even though I work for American tech companies).
raverbashing 9y ago
An it still gets some of it wrong. A lot of time
user5994461 9y ago
For reference, there was an article here on what it takes to track a million cell phones in real time. https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=14803443 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=14803443
dingo_bat 9y ago
If you turn off continuous background location tracking in Android, Google maps will bug you every time you use it. Even though foreground location is on and set to use all available signals.

izuchukwu 9y ago

“personalized search” While a true statement, it’s unfortunate how broad of a license it ultimately provides.

John_KZ 9y ago
And the funny thing is that many of us don't even want personalized search.
strong_silent_t 9y ago
2-way personalized search. You search Google and Google searches you.
mancerayder 9y ago
It's extremely cumbersome and confusing to turn off. At first, it was opt-in. Once would ignore the notifications to turn things on, and eventually things became opt-out. But it's not 100% clear what one is opting out of - the only thing that seems you can really opt out of are ad-related tracking (by 'request' it seems - the ad tech companies get to use the honor system), and personalized recommendations. Well, just because you turn off recommendations doesn't mean they're not already collecting your personalized data - even if you don't use it. Did I make mistakes in the above paragraph? Probably. But you know what, that's Google's fault, because it sure isn't clear what they aren't and are doing, who can and can't use it, and what I can can't opt out of. That's the really frustrating part, here. It's purposely obfuscated and changing - similar to Facebook's privacy settings - to keep you on your toes even if you are in the tiny percentage of the population that actually cares. Most won't until something panicky / headliney happens to make them care. I'm kind of glad the EU is making life tough for American tech companies with regards to privacy (even though I work for American tech companies).

raverbashing 9y ago

An it still gets some of it wrong. A lot of time

user5994461 9y ago

For reference, there was an article here on what it takes to track a million cell phones in real time. https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=14803443 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=14803443

dingo_bat 9y ago

If you turn off continuous background location tracking in Android, Google maps will bug you every time you use it. Even though foreground location is on and set to use all available signals.