Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

Tell HN: Google Maps location data is used for GeoIP updates

news.ycombinator.com

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

11–20 of 68 posts

Re: Tell HN: Google Maps location data is used for GeoIP updates

#11

Post by mittermayr »

gpolk wrote: post #7

Do you use Google Maps as a logged out user? That’s what I do and hope that they don’t link my information back to me.

I think the main concern is less about you (as a unique person) specifically, but more in terms of you as a somewhat aggregated profile. It's not super useful (also in terms of privacy and all that) to advertisers to get your name and exact home address, it's enough to know what "kind of advertising target profile" you represent most closely. I think that is also what many people concerned about privacy are missing — it's not about you, as an individual. It's about you, as a summarised profile, which can be shared with other advertisers. Being logged in or not used to be a bigger deal in the past, for sure, but now your browser and behavior is leaking enough detail to build a shared profile about you across various sites.

Re: Tell HN: Google Maps location data is used for GeoIP updates

#12

Post by ogeiczvm »

PhilippGille wrote: post #9

You say that the VPN is always on, but wasn't there a post on HN some time ago that showed that on iOS VPN is not 100% used for all data? Might have been this one: https://www.michaelhorowitz.com/VPNs.on.iOS.are.scam.php So potentially your real IP was leaked otherwise, Google became aware of that IP and geolocated you, without Maps data?

I am aware of the IP leak in iOS but that's only for Apple services, Google Maps will always use the outbound VPN IP.

Something to note though - in my post I never mentioned the "real IP" - all tests were done to change the geoIP data of the VPN IP - and that always works as expected.

Re: Tell HN: Google Maps location data is used for GeoIP updates

#13

Post by ogeiczvm »

smashah wrote: post #10

I have a wiregaurd VPN in my home server in London. During the pandemic I was stuck in the Middle East for a few months. Obviously while there I was VPN-ing all my traffic from my various devices through my home server. When I got back to London, all my YouTube and TV ads were as if I was still in the middle east. Very annoying.

I never tried this - but I would've expected that after using Google Maps for a couple of weeks while in London - the GeoIP data would've been updated again back to the UK?

Re: Tell HN: Google Maps location data is used for GeoIP updates

#14

Post by ogeiczvm »

someweirdperson wrote: post #8

Of course they do, was there ever any doubt? Next important step: How can this be used for something entertaining? Does google maps work with forged location data? That would allow to seed the system with an IP that lives in area 51, or something like that.

I actually mentioned this in another reply. I never tried but it should work in an android emulator - set the GPS coordinates to something interesting - of course, something that won't potentially get you in trouble.

Re: Tell HN: Google Maps location data is used for GeoIP updates

#15

Post by plorg »

See my comment on the previous thread, I have an unusual Google geolocation situation, where at work there is no GPS coverage and Google shows my location in random locations as much as 200 miles away from my actual location. I do not believe that my actual IP makes a difference because I have a Wireguard VPN from my phone through my home router, and enabling that (or leaving it on) does not change the location that Maps thinks I am at. But this is on Android so there may be some difference.

Re: Tell HN: Google Maps location data is used for GeoIP updates

#16

Post by quesera »

Summarizing: If you run the Google Maps app on your iOS device, Google will build a correlation between your IP address and your GPS+ location.

You can turn off Location Services access for Google apps, if you feel the need to run them at all. Adding a few seconds of panning and zooming is a reasonable trade.

> (Google Maps app is) one of the few ways of checking restaurant reviews

Apple Maps has restaurant reviews also, if you can stomach Yelp. Google Maps also works in mobile Safari, if you'd prefer to sandbox Google code from your hardware (and again, you do not need to allow access to your location).

There is no path forward that permits both "I don't accept Google's data practices" and "I allow Location Services for Google mobile apps on my iOS device". :)

Re: Tell HN: Google Maps location data is used for GeoIP updates

#17

Post by ogeiczvm »

quesera wrote: post #16

Summarizing: If you run the Google Maps app on your iOS device, Google will build a correlation between your IP address and your GPS+ location. You can turn off Location Services access for Google apps, if you feel the need to run them at all. Adding a few seconds of panning and zooming is a reasonable trade. > (Google Maps app is) one of the few ways of checking restaurant reviews Apple Maps has restaurant reviews a…

> There is no path forward that permits both "I don't accept Google's data practices" and "I allow Location Services for Google mobile apps on my iOS device". :)

in my case I have a family member sharing my VPN endpoint (DNS blocking does wonders on iOS) - which was part of the initial puzzle as I didn't use any google services at that point.

Not a path forward but a workaround - rotate the IP periodically and start "fresh".

Re: Tell HN: Google Maps location data is used for GeoIP updates

#18

Post by ogeiczvm »

gpolk wrote: post #7

Do you use Google Maps as a logged out user? That’s what I do and hope that they don’t link my information back to me.

Yes, never logged on. Linking your location back to you personally is a different topic and depends on your usage - but if you have a static IP for > 2 weeks - google.com should show you your precise location (at the bottom of the page).

Re: Tell HN: Google Maps location data is used for GeoIP updates

#19

Post by miyuru »

I haven't experienced that, I get random locations that are no where close to my real location in incognito google searches. I have Google Maps on android as well.

My IPv6 address (/128) changes get changed by the OS every time wifi gets disconnected and prefix (/64) get changed every week or when the router restarts.

Re: Tell HN: Google Maps location data is used for GeoIP updates

#20

Post by jxramos »

quesera wrote: post #16

Summarizing: If you run the Google Maps app on your iOS device, Google will build a correlation between your IP address and your GPS+ location. You can turn off Location Services access for Google apps, if you feel the need to run them at all. Adding a few seconds of panning and zooming is a reasonable trade. > (Google Maps app is) one of the few ways of checking restaurant reviews Apple Maps has restaurant reviews a…

I think Apple Maps looks to be starting to accumulate its own set of reviews. It has a ratings feature where you can review overall thumbs up or thumbs down and can upload your own photos of the place. It contributes to apple using your AppleID email. There's small fine print

> Ratings and photos are associated with your Apple ID. By contributing you agree to the Terms > https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/maps/ratings-p...

Post reply on HN