Bothered by Google's location tracking? Here's how to turn it off completely

Image
ANI California [United States]
Last Updated : Aug 14 2018 | 5:40 PM IST

Google's location tracking feature has again come under the scanner after it was found that the feature continues to monitor your searches, voice activity, and location even after you manually turn it off.

The location tracking feature is crucial to a lot of apps such as cab-hailing apps, food ordering, maps, and so on. Google maintains that the feature is important to keep improving the user experience.

According to Cnet, while Google allows you to turn off Location History, it does not necessarily turn it off for other apps which may retain data of users' location.

If you want to turn off the location tracking feature, you can do so but you must remember that location-based services, including finding your device, will be disabled. To fully disable Google location tracking, you will need to disable a setting called Web & App Activity.

On Android app, go to Settings, then tap on Google -->Google Account -->Data & personalization--> Web & App activity and toggle it off. For desktop, you can sign into your account and then go to Personal info & activity --> My Activity and then from Activity controls toggle off Web & App Activity and Location History. If you want to enable the location services, you can follow the same process and turn on the feature.

Disclaimer: No Business Standard Journalist was involved in creation of this content

*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Exclusive premium stories online

  • Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: Aug 14 2018 | 5:40 PM IST

Next Story