The service saves user data and allows access to frequented places. Learn how to disable this option.
Google Maps is very useful when we are lost or when we need to get to a place we don't know much about. What many people don't know is that the data we search for is saved with the company. In addition to this data, Google can also know places we have visited, such as countries, cities, attractions and other locations.
By accepting the terms of use and privacy policy, which many people don’t read, we agree to share this information with the company. However, even so, not everyone realizes that they are leaving so many traces “out there”.
But is there a way to trick Google Maps into not knowing where we are or where we’ve been? Find out now!
Google Maps
THE Google Maps uses our data to create a personalized advertising system, just like the searches we do on Google. Thus, by knowing about the habits and behaviors of each user on the internet, it can offer advertisements that fit the person's profile, according to their searches.
According to information from Google About our map service, location history saves the places you've visited to provide personalized maps, recommendations based on where you've visited, and more.
Because of this type of situation, it is important for the user to read the privacy terms carefully, to understand what data is collected, and how the platforms use this data. Depending on what is written in the terms, the user may even give authorization for the platform to sell their data so that other companies can offer services.
What Google can know
Places you've been
When your phone's location history is turned on and associated with an account from Google, it creates a timeline and shows all the places the user has traveled to, as well as the time and route taken.
To access this timeline is very easy:
– Just access your Google account and open Maps;
– Click on your profile;
– Find the “Your Timeline” option and open it.
If you do not want the records to be saved, simply:
– Open the timeline in Maps;
– Click on settings;
– Pause location history;
Photos
When enabled, Google Photos is also able to track the location where the user's photos were taken. This way, it is possible to know where the person was when they took the photos.
How to see this information in Google Photos:
– Open the app;
– Tap search at the bottom;
– Click on the “Locations” section and then “View All”.
Stopping Google Photos from tracking your data is easy:
– Open the app;
– Click on settings;
– Select the “Sharing” option;
– Select “Hide location data”.
Data crossing
If you have location history turned on, Maps can suggest places based on where you’ve visited or interacted with Google sites, apps, and services. When you search for nearby businesses on the map, you’ll see ads for relevant businesses.
Other information
Google knows your personal information, such as your name, phone number and address, search terms, videos watched, interactions with ads, shopping activity, people you communicate with, activity on websites and apps, browsing history, and more.
