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Google can use Bluetooth to track phones even with Bluetooth turned off (2018)

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11–20 of 126 posts

Re: Google can use Bluetooth to track phones even with Bluetooth turned off (2018)

#11
post #3

Shocked! 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.

They are upfront about it, it’s right there in the settings. When you first set up a Google phone, it will Warm you that WiFi does scanning for location services, and the Bluetooth setting is in the same page.

Re: Google can use Bluetooth to track phones even with Bluetooth turned off (2018)

#12

Is 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…

My Pixel 3a XL does this with WiFi, I'm convinced it's never actually off. It will auto connect to remembered WiFi networks even when I "turn WiFi off".

Re: Google can use Bluetooth to track phones even with Bluetooth turned off (2018)

#13
post #7
post #5

In 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 trac…

[deleted]

Re: Google can use Bluetooth to track phones even with Bluetooth turned off (2018)

#14

Is 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…

My Pixel 3a XL does this with WiFi, I'm convinced it's never actually off. It will auto connect to remembered WiFi networks even when I "turn WiFi off".

Turn off location services with turning off wifi

Re: Google can use Bluetooth to track phones even with Bluetooth turned off (2018)

#15

Is 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…

It's similar and it is used for "Find My" and other Apple services. There's enough reason why Apple won't change this and will plan to keep it on for other purposes though unless you completely turn it off in the settings "cough" "contact tracing" "cough".

Re: Google can use Bluetooth to track phones even with Bluetooth turned off (2018)

#16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

Fair point.

So what would be the percentage of people that buy Android phones and can identify themselves as "loving Google" AND wanting to allow Google to track everything about what they do to "improve the world"? 5%? Less?

If so, then maybe this should be opt-in for those who love the company so much, rather than opt-out?

Re: Google can use Bluetooth to track phones even with Bluetooth turned off (2018)

#17
The article says turning off Location History "cripples" certain features of Android and Google.

That's a stretch. I have had Location History disabled for years and have yet to notice what crippled experience I suffered from, but I did learn today that my location is not being sent to Google when Bluetooth is turned off.

Disabling Location History seems like it has significant upside to me.

Think about it this way. If Location History had defaulted to "off" instead and "on", would you have opted in? For what feature or benefit? With what risks?

Re: Google can use Bluetooth to track phones even with Bluetooth turned off (2018)

#18

Is 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…

My Pixel 3a XL does this with WiFi, I'm convinced it's never actually off. It will auto connect to remembered WiFi networks even when I "turn WiFi off".

Mine don't. Maybe Settings->Location->Wi-Fi and Bluetooth scanning is the setting that does it.

There you can disable whether apps and services are allowed to scan wifi and/or bluetooth even if they are turned off.

Re: Google can use Bluetooth to track phones even with Bluetooth turned off (2018)

#19

The article says turning off Location History "cripples" certain features of Android and Google. That's a stretch. I have had Location History disabled for years and have yet to notice what crippled experience I suffered from, but I did learn today that my location is not being sent to Google when Bluetooth is turned off. Disabling Location History seems like it has significant upside to me. Think about it this way.…

There was a time when Google Maps would simply refuse to work without having Location History turned on; not sure if that has changed by now.

Re: Google can use Bluetooth to track phones even with Bluetooth turned off (2018)

#20
post #15

Is 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…

It's similar and it is used for "Find My" and other Apple services. There's enough reason why Apple won't change this and will plan to keep it on for other purposes though unless you completely turn it off in the settings "cough" "contact tracing" "cough" .

That’s the first time I’ve ever seen a cough double entendre.
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