Google Maps forces you to share location data, but it’s not as bad as it sounds

[Chris Smith]

If you use Google Maps to get around, you probably know that Google has to access your location information. That's the only way that it can offer turn-by-turn navigation and direction features. That’s always been the case, and that’s how all navigation apps work. But Google’s history with handling location information hasn’t been all that great. A few years ago, researchers found that Google collected user location data even when the user thought they prevented such data collection. A recent lawsuit showed that Google went to great lengths to make it harder for users to block Google's access to location information.

But Google has been pivoting towards a “privacy by design” mantra in recent years, and that covers everything, including turn-by-turn navigation data. Next time you go into Google Maps to initiate your next navigation experience, the app might force you to agree to share location data with Google. Refuse, and the direction features will not work. But you don’t have to panic. There’s a good reason why Google wants your location information from your Google Maps drives.

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Google Maps forces you to share location data, but it’s not as bad as it sounds originally appeared on BGR.com on Tue, 24 Aug 2021 at 19:08:24 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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