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The hotspot also passes data back to the handset, which can identify it individually. If the hotspot location is previously known that gives you coordinates. I
by smithian 14y ago
The hotspot also passes data back to the handset, which can identify it individually. If the hotspot location is previously known that gives you coordinates. In dense areas like New York, you're within range of multiple AP's on a fairly constant basis, allowing for real time triangulation. This is why google maps prompts you to turn on wifi to improve location, even though you are not connecting to the Internet through the AP's.
- graue 14y agoYeah, but doesn't that work by polling the APs then sending the poll results to Google over 3G/4G? If data is off how could this work?
- smithian 14y agoFor almost all smartphones, almost all of the time, 3g data will be on. Your objection above was that location tracking would require MAC to person mapping and the cooperation of innumerable hotspot operators. This is not the case.
- graue 14y agoWe've got a reading comprehension issue. You're responding to my post about how easily you can disable data on an Android smartphone, which I proposed as a way to avoid tracking.
- smithian 14y agoI yes, I missed your GGP. But it still doesn't work. If you actively use a hotspot then IP GEO tracks you. If you use wireless data then you can be tracked by cell tower triangulation by the network operator, by GPS, and also by passive wifi tracking that we've been discussing. I suppose that you might be able to try tunneling all of your outbound data through a VPN tunnel, but at that point you might as well go back to using internet cafes and phone booths. I prefer misdirection. Set up a device that will appear to be 'you' in many places at once. For instance, google and facebook both routinely believe that I commute from New York to London at least 15 times a day.