We all know that Google can access our location and data when the phone’s GPS is turned on. But, did you know that Google collects the info even when location services are turned off?
A recent investigation by Quartz has revealed that Google has been accessing our location services even when inactive. This, even without a SIM installed on the phone.
These alarming discoveries were shared with Google, who admitted to the wrongdoing, and have promised that the process will be discontinued by the end of November.
Considering the market stranglehold of Android across the globe, it’s hard to quantify the amount of data that Google has managed to get its hands on, and if it weren’t for this investigation, they could have continued to do so for many years.
The problem is one of the many weaknesses that Android as an open-source mobile operating platform carries, and it’s worrisome that how Google has managed to keep it this way for such a long time.
While the report adds that the data collection was only detected from early 2017, it’s hard to ascertain those claims.
Data collection is an integral part of how Google manages to pack its features, but they could have at least come out in the open themselves, rather than this report making the revelation.
So, how was the location data being transmitted to Google? The phones were basically sending the locations via the cell tower when connected to Wi-Fi or mobile data (whichever closer to you), giving Google the ability to track your movement.
In its defence, Google claims that the location data was never used or stored and all of this was done to improve the speed and performance of message delivery. It is hard to understand why and how Google managed to do that with location data, which has already raised so many questions regarding privacy of users these days.
The other downside of Google and other technology giants having access to location data comes in the form of digital advertising, which has become prevalent in recent times, aiding growth of brands like Facebook and Google.
For what it’s worth, we’re just glad that the situation will cease to exist by end of this month, but there’s no doubt that majors like Google need to respect privacy of users and keep them in the loop with such measures hereon.
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