Google Continues to Record Location Data Despite Disabled Location History

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Category: Technology/Innovations

Listening

Unlocking Word Meanings

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

  1. divulge / dəˈvʌlʤ / (v) – to reveal a piece of information
    Example:

    The social networking site divulges the names of users who viewed your profile.


  2. commute / kəˈmjuːt / (n) – the act of traveling from one’s home to another location
    Example:

    My daily commute to work usually takes an hour.


  3. detect / dɪˈtɛkt / (v) – to identify the presence of something
    Example:

    The new system can detect a person’s movements.


  4. default / dɪˈfɑːlt / (n) – the initial setting
    Example:

    The blue desktop background is the default, but you can change it.


  5. coerce / koʊˈɚs / (v) – to force a person to do something
    Example:

    The company coerced its employees into working even on weekends.


Article

Read the text below.

Google can still track users even when their location history is disabled, according to an investigation.


New York-based nonprofit news agency Associated Press (AP), with the help of Princeton University, investigated Google’s privacy setting services in Android and Apple devices. AP showed the capacity of Google’s location markers through a visual map that divulged the places visited by Gunes Acar [GOO-nesh uh-kahr], a Princeton researcher.


Although Acar’s Google Location History was disabled, the visual map still displayed the researcher’s home address and even the commute around New York City. Findings further revealed that Google keeps snapshots of a user’s location upon activation of the Google Maps app. Moreover, automatic weather updates and even browser searches can detect a user’s current location.


The researchers also found that for Google to fully stop tracking one’s location, users should turn off the Web & App Activity setting, which is turned on by default. When enabled, this setting records and stores data from Google apps and websites.


Google reacted to the investigation by saying that the company provides clear instructions on how to properly turn off tools like the Location History and the Web & App Activity.


This privacy-related issue is not a first for the tech giant. In May, Google received complaints for violating the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The GDPR is a law that protects the personal data and privacy of users from the European Union. Google, along with other tech companies like Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, was accused of coercing users to agree on data collection for the purpose of advertising before they can use the company’s services.


Viewpoint Discussion

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A

• If you were a Google user, how would you feel after learning that the company can detect your location? Explain.
• In your opinion, what actions should Google take to address the issue mentioned in the article? Discuss.

Discussion B

• Do you think a global regulation on data privacy protection should be implemented in the future? Why or why not?
• If this regulation were to push through, which institution (e.g. governments, the United Nations, technology companies) do you think should implement it? Why?