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Tell HN: Google is correlating location data to your IP

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Re: Tell HN: Google is correlating location data to your IP

#61

Post by freitasm »

md_ wrote: post #54
utsuro wrote: post #49

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Do you have any info on this? AFAIK, MAC is only distributed in datalink layer around local connections. I tried some quick packet sniffing browsing Google and did not see my MAC transmitted—as I’d expect (bc like you said, ARP not thing at this layer) also research on “MAC included in http metadata” turns up no results… If you have any more info on this I’d love to learn more—as I’m puzzled to know why this would ha…

I think the poster isn’t talking about the remote server seeing client MACs (because, as you say) but, rather, about the way mobile OSes use nearby wifi access point SSIDs to provide GPS-less geolocation. Samy Kamkar raised my awareness of this way back in 2010 or so, and this article about his DefCon talk provides a good quick explanation: https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-10850875 .

Correct.

Re: Tell HN: Google is correlating location data to your IP

#62

Post by lucb1e »

A few years ago someone did a data export from linkedin and received a CD, I think either in the early days of GDPR or maybe during the predecessor (NL: WBP) which was effectively the same except no fines. One of the takeaways there was that linkedin suggests users to each other that share an IP address. I have also noticed that youtube on tv will suggest things that someone in the household watched on the phone. Whether it's truly by IP address or by some other proximity proxy, in the end the answer is the same: yes, adtech firms use correlations, such as your IP address.

It sounds like you're one of today's lucky ten thousand. https://xkcd.com/1053/

Re: Tell HN: Google is correlating location data to your IP

#63

Post by bouncycastle »

x0x0 wrote: post #53
bouncycastle wrote: post #30

I recently bought a brand new pair of golf shoes from a physical store. I did not even search for them or look at any golf shoes online. The next day, I got Google ads served for the same brand of shoes I bought... Coincidence? Seemed very creepy. I know they sometimes do "re-tageting", but in this case I am sure I didn't look at any stores online. Only the fact that I physically visited a store with my tracking devi…

FB (and to a lesser extent google) allow targeting via phone numbers, emails, and addresses. This [1] shows the attributes Facebook Custom Audiences allows match on, and it includes email, phone, first/last name, address, dob, and age. So if any of those were shared with the store, they can upload them to FB (and very similar to Google) to show you ads. [1] https://www.facebook.com/business/help/2082575038703844?id=2…

They know everything.. And yet on top of this, Google is still nagging me to add my DOB to my account...

Re: Tell HN: Google is correlating location data to your IP

#65

Post by Ctyra »

I am facing a different tyranny from Google. I just moved to US from a different country. I am not able to install any US based apps as Google play store has my original country tied in. Google knows I am in the US, but they want me to give a payment instrument (Paypal, or Credit card) before they allow me to update the country.

Re: Tell HN: Google is correlating location data to your IP

#66

Post by eternityforest »

jacquesm wrote: post #36
eukara wrote: post #32

I'm sorry that you were oblivious to this, but their job is to track and monetize anything they can unless it's explicitly outlawed. Even then, Alphabet breaks the rules (namely of the EU) all the time as they seem to be content with paying fines on a regular basis. https://www.wired.com/story/eu-hits-google-third-billion-dol...

The EU should add a zero to their fines. That will surely get some attention.

Could Google or anyone else still provide the service they do without tracking? Would it be profitable enough to keep doing it?

What would actually happen for users if they added a zero? Would poor people be SOL if they want high quality maps?

Re: Tell HN: Google is correlating location data to your IP

#68

Post by flatiron »

barbazoo wrote: post #64

Genuine question. Does Apple just not do these things? Is my privacy *actually* protected better with an iphone? I still have to use Google Mail for work and occasionally use Google Maps to find things.

Apple makes their money on their products and not your data. Google is “free” because it makes its money off your data.

Re: Tell HN: Google is correlating location data to your IP

#69

Post by cavisne »

barbazoo wrote: post #64

Genuine question. Does Apple just not do these things? Is my privacy *actually* protected better with an iphone? I still have to use Google Mail for work and occasionally use Google Maps to find things.

Google Maps on iOS asks to track your location in the background by default.

Apple tracks your location as long as Location Services is turned on.

Re: Tell HN: Google is correlating location data to your IP

#70

Post by sitkack »

lucb1e wrote: post #62

A few years ago someone did a data export from linkedin and received a CD, I think either in the early days of GDPR or maybe during the predecessor (NL: WBP) which was effectively the same except no fines. One of the takeaways there was that linkedin suggests users to each other that share an IP address. I have also noticed that youtube on tv will suggest things that someone in the household watched on the phone. Whe…

I have seen other people get recommendation in YT solely based on IP, which frankly should never, ever happen or be allowed.
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