Google apps still track your location even if your location feature is off

The Associated Press (AP) has discovered that Google apps still track a user’s location even if they have their location feature turned off. You can toggle off the location history in Google Maps but that just means your previous locations are cleared from view but still remain recorded on Google services. You have to turn this off in the Activity Settings on web or app.

‘AP said the finding was verified by researchers at Princeton University and noted users can be tracked via apps including Google Maps, the company’s weather widget and web searches. Both iOS and Android devices were subject to the issue, the report added. Google said it uses different location tracking tools to improve user experience, but maintained it provides “robust controls so people can turn them on or off and delete their histories at any time”’. (Source: Mobile Live)

This is disturbing news as tech giants are now coming under fire for data privacy concerns.

Google said: “We have been updating the explanatory language about Location History to make it more consistent and clear across our platforms and help centers.”

You can access the report findings by AP here.