How To Stop Google Maps Collecting Location Data From Your Phone

    We as a whole know Google gathers information however we're generally under the suspicion that the organization will approach us for authorization before gathering it. That is not generally the situation. Sometimes, similar to when you install Chrome on your desktop or smartphone, Google will inquire as to whether you need to send use details to the organization. In different cases, as with Google Maps, it doesn't request your assent. Google Maps has been gathering your area information. The uplifting news is you can disable it, and maybe the wonderful news is that Google is being sued over it. Here's the way to stop Google Maps gathering area information. 

Stop Google Maps Collecting Location Data

 Open the Google Maps application and tap the hamburger symbol inside the search bar at the left. In the route drawer that opens, look to the exceptionally base and tap 'Settings'.

On the Settings screen, scroll down and tap ‘About, terms & privacy’. On the ‘About, terms & privacy’ screen, tap the ‘Location data collection’ option. Turn the Location data collection switch off on the following screen to stop Google Maps collecting location data from your device.

This will stop Google Maps from collecting any further data from your device however, the data that has already been collected isn’t going anywhere. Google has it and we can only hope it will use it for good.

You might think you’re not affected by this or perhaps you’re wondering how this can happen since iOS tells you when an app is actively using your location. Google Maps is not accessing your location while running in the background. If it were, you’d see a blue bar at the top of your iPhone telling you that your location was in use. There is simply no way around that. What ‘Location data collection’ does is that it collects your data while you use Google Maps. This can include, but is not limited to, alternative routes you might take to the ones that Google Maps suggests, or establishments that you might visit from the suggested ones nearby. The app says it’s anonymous data but that doesn’t justify collecting it without your permission.

Delete Google Location Data

If you don’t feel like sharing the anonymous data, you can turn it off but if you also want to delete location data, you can. The process is pretty simple but it’s time consuming because you have to manually scan which dates there is saved data for, and then delete the entry for each day one at a time. Simply head over to your location timeline and delete the data you don’t want Google Maps to have.

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