Privacy Implications of using Google Applications

ve3jlg

mythodical d Google Maps works fine for looking up addresses, getting directions, etc.

You are sending all those details to Google for lookup.

mythodical

ve3jlg yes, of course. I was simply pointing out that Google Maps doesn't require Play Services and Store to be installed. As I mentioned in the same comment, anything that you input into the app would be sent to Google regardless.

ve3jlg

mythodical If it is a simple address search, consider using the Google Maps website (or any other mapping website)

Use the open source OsmAnd maps app, which works on OpenStreetMap data. OsmAnd respects your privacy. You can look up an address offline.

Its interface can be a challenge to learn because the app is powerful and highly configurable.

I am very happy to have this alternative to Google maps.

mythodical

ve3jlg I didn't have much success looking up specific addresses when I used OsmAnd, but I admit that I didn't troubleshoot it for long.

I did download what I thought were the necessary maps for my area (in Canada), but it would only resolve the street and not the specific address when offline.

I usually use DDG, OpenStreetMap, or Google Maps from the web browser, but I may give OsmAnd another try if it can show addresses offline.

mythodical

ve3jlg Use the open source OsmAnd maps app, which works on OpenStreetMap data. OsmAnd respects your privacy. You can look up an address offline.

Apparently a vast number of locations are not yet searchable by address in OsmAnd, including my own. It's still a no-go for me.

ve3jlg

mythodical Apparently a vast number of locations are not yet searchable by address in OsmAnd,

Interesting. It works in my major Canadian city quite well. But I suspect OSM was able to populate the database from the city's open GIS data (or else there are lots of hard working OSM mappers here).

Make sure that you have actually loaded the offline map for your geographic region. I found this to be a bit non-obvious.

Bootlace1170

You can use google maps with the network access off. Simply go some place that is not your home (or I suppose turn off locations), then download the map area you want. For example the whole city you generally travel. You can then turn off network permission and use it offline. You will still be able to look up directions and use it because location and gps will work. But with network access off, the app can’t communicate with google.

applesbana

Bootlace1170

Can you get turn by turn audio navigation this way?

Aaron

applesbana
Yes, You can get Turn-by-Turn with offline/downloaded Google maps. We use this in the mountains.

But, I would NOT assume that Google Maps "forgets" your previous mappings when offline. I assume whenever I reconnect, Google download stored history then run statistical algorithms to figure out who I am from city, neighborhood, home location, frequented places, etc... Google has directly available location data from what you are doing, then they can easily run "Big Data" (this case is actually quite easy) statistical algorithms on everything they see.

How many Google Map "devices" pull into my garage? How many cars pull into my garage, then drive to my in-laws house, then stop at our favorite happy hour spot, then drive to our favorite grocery store parking in roughly the same location in the parking lot? You are statistically identified very very easily.

These are my assumptions whenever using any Google apps (Maps, Gmail, Adsense, etc).

Having said all this, I have two "polluted" profiles - one for work since we use G-Suite and one for personal (Gmail, Whatsap, Seatgeek,etc) - that I always shutdown when not active. I spend as much time as possible in FOSS only profiles on my GrapheneOS device.

ve3jlg

Aaron But, I would NOT assume that Google Maps "forgets" your previous mappings when offline. I assume whenever I reconnect, Google download stored history

I have always wondered this about Google (and other) apps - if they cache data while offline then load it as soon as they get .05s of network activity, possibly unintended.

Given the business model of Google and other app builders, I safely assume this so do not use them. So I am delighted that OsmAnd works for me.

Thanks for sharing this important point and your response to it.

Aaron

ve3jlg
There is an old youtube where a team have two Android phones, 1 with network off, 1 with network on.

Not only location, but also all sensor data (which we can block on GOS). Really creepy to see that Google tracks not only your location, but through pressure and temperature your windows opening, car doors opening/closing, temperature,...
Big Bro likes Big Data

TrustExecutor

As said before the option to download an offline map and then remove the Network permission works flawlessly. The drawback is that the area is somewhat small. Don't forget to have your Location services permission turned off while downloading the maps.

To mitigate that the Maps app will sync the recent navigations and locations to Google next time we allow the Network permission to connect to their servers to download a new offline map, don't forget to remove storage and cache from the app before doing so.

Aaron

TrustExecutor
Nice work around - clear storage and cache before allowing network connection.
Just don't ever forget or they've got you mapped out. ;-)

applesbana

Aaron

Maybe this is the video you’re thinking of:

https://9gag.com/gag/a1PoB5D

TrustExecutor

Aaron Yes but with a GOS phone, "they" (referring to you, CIA shell company Google) only get you mapped out when you are using the maps app. With a vanilla phone they are getting you mapped out EVERYWHERE ALWAYS.

Sure government agencies can find other ways to map you out using carrier data and potentially unknown 0-day exploits.

Aaron

As a side note, what I tend to do now is go "Old Skool" and memorize how to get where I'm going. Usually it's no more than 5-6 turns and then I've learned the location and directions myself.

GOS is not only a privacy and security play for me but also an unplug a little from the matrix attempt.

evalda

TrustExecutor Sure government agencies can find other ways to map you out using

Not just the carrier data, cellular connection (even without the SIM card in the phone) is enough to find out where you sleep and then all the places you visit.