Think you're safe? That you have your privacy? Well you dont. Research shows that Google, through its Google play store app, keeps track of our activities.
It seems Google is keeping a much closer eye on its android users than previously thought.
Security researchers have recently found out that Google is able to track our location using our phone's Global positioning System (GPS). Th playstore seems to be at the root of the problem though. The service is constantly running in the background making it possible for Google to track your whereabouts. This can only be prevented by completely disabling location tracking all together.
The security researcher found this out as when he was entering a nearby McDonalds, The Google Playstore prompted him to download the McDonald's app. having thought that Google Maps was to blame ,as that is the app associated with tracking and locations, he immediately uninstalled the app. However the problem was still not solved. Thus he concluded that The Google Playstore itself and not The Google Maps app was to blame.
According to Google, They need access to your location to keep your apps up to date and provide you with up to date information for example , deals in a nearby restaurant. However since Android Marshmallow, you can set individual permissions of a single app your self. Therefore you can attempt to bock Googles access to your location yby going to settings > apps > Google play store> permissions and disable the permission for locations.
Alternatively you can go to the nuclear option and delete the Play store as well as the Google Maps app. Google is rolling out several updated to its Google Maps app which enables it to constantly monitor your location and provide you with info like promotions at shops near you, deals at restaurants in your vicinity and even local clinics that are open and local pharmacies/Shops that sell a particular item. .
It seems Google is keeping a much closer eye on its android users than previously thought.
Security researchers have recently found out that Google is able to track our location using our phone's Global positioning System (GPS). Th playstore seems to be at the root of the problem though. The service is constantly running in the background making it possible for Google to track your whereabouts. This can only be prevented by completely disabling location tracking all together.
The security researcher found this out as when he was entering a nearby McDonalds, The Google Playstore prompted him to download the McDonald's app. having thought that Google Maps was to blame ,as that is the app associated with tracking and locations, he immediately uninstalled the app. However the problem was still not solved. Thus he concluded that The Google Playstore itself and not The Google Maps app was to blame.
According to Google, They need access to your location to keep your apps up to date and provide you with up to date information for example , deals in a nearby restaurant. However since Android Marshmallow, you can set individual permissions of a single app your self. Therefore you can attempt to bock Googles access to your location yby going to settings > apps > Google play store> permissions and disable the permission for locations.
Alternatively you can go to the nuclear option and delete the Play store as well as the Google Maps app. Google is rolling out several updated to its Google Maps app which enables it to constantly monitor your location and provide you with info like promotions at shops near you, deals at restaurants in your vicinity and even local clinics that are open and local pharmacies/Shops that sell a particular item. .
