Logo
News

Google Fetches Location via Android Devices Even After You Disable Location Service

Google said it is improving the push notification and message services

Google Fetches Your Location

How many of you know that most of the tech companies use the smartphone user’s location information without their concern? Removing the SIM cards and switching off the phone may give you the relaxation of getting off the radar.

However, Google uses its Android devices to acquire the location of every Android smartphone owner even when the phone is turned off or operating without a SIM card.

Google can track any Android smartphone’s location if it is connected to the internet with the help of its operating system. Since 2017 the Android phones capture the information of nearby cellular tower even the user has disabled the location service.

The smartphone then sent the information to Google. The Android phone collects the location of the cell-tower from which it receiving the signals and then automatically deliver it to the search giant. The information sent by the Android phone includes the location of the cellular tower.

Code Of Location

The activity was first noticed by the Quartz and is contacted to Google for the confirmation. Google accepted that it is an Android Smartphone that has been sending the cellular tower information for the last 11 months. Google also mentioned that it is ending the process by the end of November.

After November the Android phone will no longer transmit the nearby cell-tower information to Google.

However, it is still unclear how the location information of Android phones was used by the company to improve the performance of the message delivery system. As the information sent by the Android device could only tell the approximate location of the user instead of the precise one.

In some cases, multiple cell towers could be used to triangulate the user’s location especially in the urban areas where cell towers are located at a closer distance.

According to Google the location information sent by the Android device is encrypted, but it could be tracked by the third-party by targeting the phone with spyware and malware. Each Android device is embedded with a unique ID number that helps Google in accessing the particular user's location.

Your Location

Capturing the user’s personal information without their authority is nothing new and many tech companies have been taken to the court by law enforcement for this action. There are many cases of secretly fetching the user’s personal data such as their browsing history, shopping details, social activities by the tech giants like Facebook to enhance the service.

Google is not collecting the location information for any particular Android device. All the old and new devices running on the Android are capable of sharing your location with Google.

According to the spokesperson, Google started getting the cell tower address information after there were some changes made to its Firebase Cloud Messaging service which runs on Android devices.

Quartz also mentioned that the Android devices send the cell-tower information every time it comes in contact with the new tower. The phone delivers the information to Google, even you factory reset the device or location service is disabled and your attempts of removing the SIM are also ineffective as the phone will deliver the information as soon as you connect it to the WiFi.

According to the spokesperson, the location information that Google receives from the devices gets automatically discarded after some time.

“When you use Google services, we may collect and process information about your actual location. We use various technologies to determine location, including IP addresses, GPS, and other sensors.

For example, provide Google with information on nearby devices, Wi-Fi access points, and cell towers.” The section of Google’s policy clearly states that the company can collect the location of the person using its products.

The Location service that sends the location of the Android devices to the apps is totally separated from its push notification and message controlling system. Maybe Google is not using the Android owner’s location details for commercial purposes but still collecting their location even when the location service is disabled is breaking into the user’s privacy.

Recently, Apple also found that Uber, the ride-hailing giant was secretly collecting the user’s location even after the app has been uninstalled.

Manish <span>Content Strategist</span>
Written By
Manish Content Strategist

With a mixture of literature, cinema, and photography, Manish is mostly traveling. When he is not, he is probably writing another tech news for you!

Think Your Professional Journey
Deserves A Spot In Our 40 Under 40 Report?

Featured Blogs

News

'OK Google' With WhatsApp Brings You a Feature That You Can't Resist

4 min read  

I recently stumbled upon an extremely useful  "OK Google"command that you can give to your Android phone. First of all, if you have an Android phone and you haven’t enabled the awesome AI feature, do it now! Go to google now app (download it if you haven’t), head to its Me

News

OYO Raises $1 Billion Funding: Newest Entrant In India's Unicorn Club

2 min read  

OYO Hotels is an Indian Startup that is known for allowing their customers to book reliable and affordable rooms all across the country. Just recently, this hotel chain, OYO has raised approximately $1 BIllion in their latest funding round.As reported by the company's spokesperson, this fund

News

WhatsApp Turned Status Feature Colorful With New Update

4 min read  

WhatsApp is finally rolling out its new feature which will enable the users to update their status by adding different colours to it. The instant messenger was testing the feature in beta version for a while, but now start enrolling it. The new attribute lets the user update colorful status with the

News

Sony Teams Up with QD Laser to Create Retinal Laser Viewfinder for Low-Vision Photographers

4 min read  

Sony is teaming up with QD Laser, a Japanese company, to develop the HX99 RNV Retina Projection Camera kit, a compact camera designed to help people with vision problems see clearly through an electronic viewfinder and take pictures. The kit features an add-on retinal laser housing for proj

Featured Interviews

Interview

Interview With Coyote Jackson, Director of Product Management, PubNub

MobileAppDaily had a word with Coyote Jackson, Director of Product Management, PubNub. We spoke to him about his journey in the global Data Stream Network and real-time infrastructure-as-a-service company. Learn more about him.

MAD Team 4 min read  
Interview

Interview With Laetitia Gazel Anthoine, Founder and CEO, Connecthings

MobileAppDaily had a word with Laetitia Gazel Anthoine, Founder and CEO, Connecthings. We spoke to her about her idea behind Connecthings and thoughts about the company’s services.

MAD Team 4 min read  
Interview

Interview With Gregg Temperley, Founder Of ParcelBroker App

MobileAppDaily had a word with Gregg Temperley, Founder. We spoke to him about his idea behind such an excellent app and his whole journey during the development process.

MAD Team 4 min read  
Interview

Interview With George Deglin, CEO Of OneSignal

MobileAppDaily had a word with George Deglin, the CEO and co-founder of OneSignal, a leading customer messaging and engagement solution, we learn multiple facets related to customer engagement, personalization, and the future of mobile marketing.

MAD Team 4 min read  
MAD Originals
MAD Originals

Cut to the chase content that’s credible, insightful & actionable.

Get the latest mashup of the App Industry Exclusively Inboxed

  • PRODUCTS
  • SERVICES
  • BOTH
Join our expansive network, build connections and expand your brand presence.