5 ms·

How much geo data can they obtain if my location is disabled for almost all of my apps?

gregsadetsky 5y ago
1) A device's location can be guessed with your IP address at the very least. 2) Wifi networks. On iOS, I'm almost sure that apps cannot access the list of wifi networks that the device sees. As you may know, the list of wifi access point MAC addresses can be used to triangulate a device's geolocation (there was a related case with Google Streets View cars gobbling up that info[0]) On Android, wifi network MAC addresses may be available to apps? Is there a special permission that apps need from the user? [0] https://www.wired.com/2012/05/google-wifi-fcc-investigation/ https://www.wired.com/2012/05/google-wifi-fcc-investigation/
- kevinventullo 5y ago
  Android requires location services enabled to do ambient WiFi scans: https://developer.android.com/guide/topics/connectivity/wifi-scan https://developer.android.com/guide/topics/connectivity/wifi... However, I believe connected WiFi information can be obtained on Android without location services enabled. On iOS, I believe an app needs special permission even to fetch connected WiFi, and I believe you are correct that there is no way to access ambient WiFi scans.
  - gregsadetsky 5y ago
    Super interesting, thanks!
  - cmeacham98 5y ago
    > However, I believe connected WiFi information can be obtained on Android without location services enabled. Correct, you need the "Access network state" permission (renamed to a more sensible "View network connections" in more recent versions of Android). However, to my knowledge neither the play store or Android system warn/ask you about this permission so to avoid it you have to explicitly check every app you install.
    - tolbish 5y ago
      I believe the function is "Wi-Fi scanning" in the networking settings tab on Android 11.
alam2000 5y ago
There are several devices or information can be used to deduce your location. a) IP address b) WIFI MAC address c) Mobile telco tower ID d) GPS coordinates

1) A device's location can be guessed with your IP address at the very least. 2) Wifi networks. On iOS, I'm almost sure that apps cannot access the list of wifi networks that the device sees. As you may know, the list of wifi access point MAC addresses can be used to triangulate a device's geolocation (there was a related case with Google Streets View cars gobbling up that info[0]) On Android, wifi network MAC addresses may be available to apps? Is there a special permission that apps need from the user? [0] https://www.wired.com/2012/05/google-wifi-fcc-investigation/ https://www.wired.com/2012/05/google-wifi-fcc-investigation/

kevinventullo 5y ago
Android requires location services enabled to do ambient WiFi scans: https://developer.android.com/guide/topics/connectivity/wifi-scan https://developer.android.com/guide/topics/connectivity/wifi... However, I believe connected WiFi information can be obtained on Android without location services enabled. On iOS, I believe an app needs special permission even to fetch connected WiFi, and I believe you are correct that there is no way to access ambient WiFi scans.
- gregsadetsky 5y ago
  Super interesting, thanks!
- cmeacham98 5y ago
  > However, I believe connected WiFi information can be obtained on Android without location services enabled. Correct, you need the "Access network state" permission (renamed to a more sensible "View network connections" in more recent versions of Android). However, to my knowledge neither the play store or Android system warn/ask you about this permission so to avoid it you have to explicitly check every app you install.
  - tolbish 5y ago
    I believe the function is "Wi-Fi scanning" in the networking settings tab on Android 11.

alam2000 5y ago

There are several devices or information can be used to deduce your location. a) IP address b) WIFI MAC address c) Mobile telco tower ID d) GPS coordinates