Google can use Bluetooth to track phones even with Bluetooth turned off (2018)
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Re: Google can use Bluetooth to track phones even with Bluetooth turned off (2018)
#2Well if this comes as a surprise to you if you're a regular here, perhaps you need to read this article in its entirety, because it's clear that a sentence like "Privacy by Google" is a valid oxymoron.
Luckily I have a throwaway dual SIM dumbphone to use, so I should be covered...
Re: Google can use Bluetooth to track phones even with Bluetooth turned off (2018)
#3Shocked! I wouldn't really care if they were upfront about it, but when they try to hide it, it makes it adversarial and since I consider myself technical, I must do as my cat does and make it stop.
Re: Google can use Bluetooth to track phones even with Bluetooth turned off (2018)
#4> The Pixel 4 and 4 XL received generally positive reviews from critics [...] but were criticized for their poor battery life
Re: Google can use Bluetooth to track phones even with Bluetooth turned off (2018)
#5In the bluetooth settings it literally states:
"To improve device experience, apps and services can still scan for nearby devices at any time, even when Bluetooth is off."
This can be completely turned off in scanning settings. The article title is kind of clickbaity.
Re: Google can use Bluetooth to track phones even with Bluetooth turned off (2018)
#6In the bluetooth settings it literally states: "To improve device experience, apps and services can still scan for nearby devices at any time, even when Bluetooth is off." This can be completely turned off in scanning settings. The article title is kind of clickbaity.
I wonder, what apps and services it helps improve? Why would you want to turn bluetooth off but not really turn it off?
Re: Google can use Bluetooth to track phones even with Bluetooth turned off (2018)
#7In the bluetooth settings it literally states: "To improve device experience, apps and services can still scan for nearby devices at any time, even when Bluetooth is off." This can be completely turned off in scanning settings. The article title is kind of clickbaity.
Another point to make is that iOS also made it a bit harder for the user to completely turn off bluetooth and wifi from the control center since iOS 11, possibly allowing scanners and beacons to pick up these devices from passers by. Unless you directly get into the setting screen and switch it off.
Sure Apple keeps Bluetooth/Wifi on for 'Find My' services but I'm pretty sure it will also be used for the contact tracing technology use case since many users will falsely believe that it is completely off when pressing the switches on the control center.
Re: Google can use Bluetooth to track phones even with Bluetooth turned off (2018)
#8In the bluetooth settings it literally states: "To improve device experience, apps and services can still scan for nearby devices at any time, even when Bluetooth is off." This can be completely turned off in scanning settings. The article title is kind of clickbaity.
I wonder, what apps and services it helps improve? Why would you want to turn bluetooth off but not really turn it off?
Perhaps one loves Google and would like to help them increase their understanding of the world.
on edit: changed you to one and your to the.
Re: Google can use Bluetooth to track phones even with Bluetooth turned off (2018)
#9In the bluetooth settings it literally states: "To improve device experience, apps and services can still scan for nearby devices at any time, even when Bluetooth is off." This can be completely turned off in scanning settings. The article title is kind of clickbaity.
I wonder, what apps and services it helps improve? Why would you want to turn bluetooth off but not really turn it off?
Probably apps like Tile, that don't need to have full Bluetooth connectivity, but still want to scan for Tiles every once in a while.
Re: Google can use Bluetooth to track phones even with Bluetooth turned off (2018)
#10Is this similar to Apple’s “off but not really off” modes for Bluetooth and WiFi where the toggle in Control Center keeps them active for certain purposes on iOS (and making it “really off” requires going to Settings)? Or is it different from that? I couldn’t really distinguish even after reading this article fully. The way to turn it off, described in the article, did seem very messy, and as with Android, the steps depend on the device and what (customized) Android it’s running.
I was so sick of this from iOS (because I don’t want WiFi to connect automatically in a different location or at 5 a.m.) that I have shortcuts readily accessible as widgets that turn these off, really off, when I want to.