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

qz.com

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

#31

Post by ajross »

thefounder wrote: post #6
phipples wrote: 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.

I wonder, what apps and services it helps improve? Why would you want to turn bluetooth off but not really turn it off?

Any unboxing experience. I mean, naively this means that the doodad you just bought (like the IoT Sous-vide heater I got for Christmas) requires you to fumble with your settings to turn BT back on before you can pair it.

Now, sure, I'm sure the response of the people here is "But I turned it off because I want to have to use settings to turn it back on." And that's fine. But that's not the use case for most users, I strongly suspect. Having a phone that just works with crazy kitchen gadgets is something of real value.

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

#32

Post by _trampeltier »

phipples wrote: 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.

I have to say, I did not know that, you have to go to an extra menu. I really hate all todays OS, how they fool all user. On the other side, Apps like Wiggle.net do not work since Android 9 because they limited WiFi scanning.

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

#33

Post by izacus »

zepto wrote: post #29
izacus wrote: post #25

This 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

Can you link to some source? Last time I checked it didn't if Location History was off.

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

#34

Post by cptskippy »

zepto wrote: post #28
phipples wrote: 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.

Except this is a lie. It’s not being done to ‘improve device experience’.

Using devices with GPS + WiFi to identify and catalog the relative geographic location of SSIDs is beneficial to other devices with WiFi capability that can benefit from Geographic location but lack GPS. The same is true of Bluetooth beacons.

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

#35

Post by izacus »

_trampeltier wrote: post #32
phipples wrote: 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.

I have to say, I did not know that, you have to go to an extra menu. I really hate all todays OS, how they fool all user. On the other side, Apps like Wiggle.net do not work since Android 9 because they limited WiFi scanning.

I just setup a Pixel and it asked about this during the initial setup.

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

#36

Post by nitrogen »

izacus wrote: post #24
kibwen wrote: post #19

Earlier 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.

It still only shows "home" and "work" addresses in one obscure part of the UI with history off, while the rest of the UI won't let you change or add saved addresses without turning history back on.

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

#37

Post by miscPerson »

ajross wrote: post #31
thefounder wrote: post #6

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?

Any unboxing experience. I mean, naively this means that the doodad you just bought (like the IoT Sous-vide heater I got for Christmas) requires you to fumble with your settings to turn BT back on before you can pair it. Now, sure, I'm sure the response of the people here is "But I turned it off because I want to have to use settings to turn it back on." And that's fine. But that's not the use case for most users, I…

I’m suspicious of your reasoning.

Do you have any support that users who turn off a feature — such as Bluetooth — want it to continue to “just work”?

That seems opposite of their expressed intent in turning the feature off.

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

#38

Post by ilikehurdles »

izacus wrote: post #24
kibwen wrote: post #19

Earlier 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.

You couldn't even save locations (such as a "home" or "work" location) without allowing google to track your location history.

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

#39

Post by dmos62 »

_trampeltier wrote: post #32
phipples wrote: 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.

I have to say, I did not know that, you have to go to an extra menu. I really hate all todays OS, how they fool all user. On the other side, Apps like Wiggle.net do not work since Android 9 because they limited WiFi scanning.

It's easy to hide these things behind It Just Works (tm). Give me a device that doesn't "just work". I want actual freedom in what my peripherals are doing.

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

#40

Post by bryanrasmussen »

kuzimoto wrote: post #27
bryanrasmussen wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

neither do I, but the question was why anyone would want to track bluetooth devices available even when bluetooth turned off and that extremely unlikely reason was the only one I could think of.
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