They do the same thing with wifi.
Google can use Bluetooth to track phones even with Bluetooth turned off (2018)
21–30 of 126 posts
Re: Google can use Bluetooth to track phones even with Bluetooth turned off (2018)
#22In 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?
Some uses I know about:
1.) Indoor location (uses beacons to improve accuracy). This is transparent to app developers which used fused location provider and just results in very accurate locations.
2.) Bluetooth fast pair - https://developers.google.com/nearby/fast-pair/spec This is for feature parity with Apple "magical" AirPod pairing. You open the headphone case and immediately the popup appears asking you to connect them.
3.) Nearby APIs for device-to-device comms without internet https://developers.google.com/nearby
4.) Instant tethering for feature parity with Apple macos + iPhone tethering - https://support.google.com/pixelbook/answer/7504779?hl=en
Re: Google can use Bluetooth to track phones even with Bluetooth turned off (2018)
#23I'm starting to think...so what? The ads I see are either comically irrelevant or easily explained by the search terms or video I selected. This targeted claim is just to dupe their customers.
Re: Google can use Bluetooth to track phones even with Bluetooth turned off (2018)
#24The 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.
That was never true. It was annoyingly aggresive, had some annoying UI limitations (e.g. it wouldn't remember past trips) but it was never fully unable to function.
Re: Google can use Bluetooth to track phones even with Bluetooth turned off (2018)
#25This is the exact same behaviour iOS shows - the BT stays on to allow for fast bluetooth pairing, indoor precise location, nearby communications and a few other things.
Last I checked the details, the data didn't leave the device but it was awhile ago.
Re: Google can use Bluetooth to track phones even with Bluetooth turned off (2018)
#26In 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…
It seems a bit overblown to suggest that iOS is hiding this, when it openly warns you what it's doing when you use those Control Center buttons (messages shown quoted below) and leaves the buttons highlighted in a non-disabled state (in contrast to the disabled state that Airplane Mode usually displays one centimeter above):
> Disconnecting Nearby Wi-Fi Until Tomorrow
> Disconnecting Bluetooth Devices Until Tomorrow
Apple made a point about how these new toggles meet their users' needs more effectively than the pure on/off toggles available in Settings > Wi-Fi / Bluetooth, and they've been right for all of my use cases since then.
Re: Google can use Bluetooth to track phones even with Bluetooth turned off (2018)
#27Earlier 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.
I don't think anyone should "love" Google. Sure I enjoy using some of their services, but at the end of the day they will sell every single detail they can gather about you to make money. That's not something to "love" even if they are using it for other interesting things.
Re: Google can use Bluetooth to track phones even with Bluetooth turned off (2018)
#28In 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.
Except this is a lie. It’s not being done to ‘improve device experience’.
Re: Google can use Bluetooth to track phones even with Bluetooth turned off (2018)
#29This is the exact same behaviour iOS shows - the BT stays on to allow for fast bluetooth pairing, indoor precise location, nearby communications and a few other things. Last I checked the details, the data didn't leave the device but it was awhile ago.
Except that it does leave the device with android
Re: Google can use Bluetooth to track phones even with Bluetooth turned off (2018)
#30Earlier quoted context omitted.
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.
That was never true. It was annoyingly aggresive, had some annoying UI limitations (e.g. it wouldn't remember past trips) but it was never fully unable to function.
I remember it not working.