Google Maps now requires WiFi scanning to use navigation

Post by propogandist » Wed, Feb 02, 2022, 5:05 AM UTC

em-bee wrote: post #296

dreamcompiler wrote: post #186

Here we go again. Users desperately need an abstraction layer in Android that can spoof sensor data on a per-application basis. In this case, the spoofing layer could be set up such that whenever Google Maps uses the Android API to ask "Is wifi location sensing turned on" the spoofing layer would say "Yes." When GM asks "What wifi networks are around?" the spoofing layer would say "None." (Even better would be for it…

big yes to this. whenever an app asks for a permission i want these options: allow deny pretend allow but send empty responses (like no wifi found) pretend allow but send fake responses

Post by howinteresting » Wed, Feb 02, 2022, 5:11 AM UTC

kiwijamo wrote: post #294

lern_too_spel wrote: post #213

Earlier quoted context omitted.

iPhones are strictly worse for what OP is complaining about. You cannot get your location at all in any app without enabling WiFi scanning. https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=21708157 OP's solution of installing another Android maps app is probably the best available option that fits OP's privacy requirements.

When did this change? Last time I had an iOS device it was definitely possible to use GPS without WiFi. If this is a recent regression that is disappointing.

Post by nathanaldensr » Wed, Feb 02, 2022, 5:21 AM UTC

throwaway997665 wrote: post #178

This is your monthly reminder that Google absolutely does not care about your or anyone else's privacy. They only care about building a higher resolution view of the little ant farm of humanity that they think they own. > Google has now drawn a line in the sand. Give us all your local SSIDs, local bluetooth connections, with likely even more detail, or they now refuse to allow you to use Maps to navigate. Oh, that's…

Post by tristan957 » Wed, Feb 02, 2022, 5:36 AM UTC

citizenpaul wrote: post #192

jdiez17 wrote: post #81

While I'm not sure if this change to Google Maps has been or will be widely rolled out, you may want to look into what GrapheneOS is working on with their Google Play compatibility layer [1]. It basically lets people use Google's services inside Android's standard app sandbox. That means they don't get access to privileged system APIs and can only access what the user chooses. It can also be used without a Google acc…

I wondered how long before google will have a reason for grapheneOS to suddenly stop being supoorted on the pixel. Now i know it will be soon and i get to tell everyone i told you so

Post by [deleted] » Wed, Feb 02, 2022, 5:55 AM UTC

dessant wrote: post #86

Refusing service when the user does not consent to non-essential data sharing is illegal in the EU, and it also breaches Google Play's developer agreement. WiFi scanning is not essential to navigate with an app, and the least they could do to follow the law is to gracefully degrade the service if the user does not consent to share data about nearby devices, such as disabling traffic predictions. Of course Google's la…