Google Maps (Big Brother)

[Big Boy]

Especially since Covid, I have seen a lot of paranoia regarding Big Brother type tracking of where people are. Personally, I don't give 2 hoots if somebody knows where I am etc. I have nothing to hide, and if somebody finds it interesting to track my every move, I feel quite sad for them.

About 2 years ago my trusty SatNav became too outdated to hold the latest maps. Being a cheapskate, I decided to try the SatNav on my phone via Google Maps. Since then, I have been well pleased with the results and my phone has guided me through thousands of miles of safe driving.

Since I started using Google Maps, I have been receiving monthly reports. Yesterday I actually analysed what was in these reports. Well, I was amazed to find that my every movement is being tracked and stored somewhere. HaHa, what a boring life I lead. Even though I'm not using the SatNav, it tracks my daily visits to Khao Tao (although it thinks I was walking on water a few times), it tracks me to the shops, it even tracked me to a bar. Very clever. The more I drilled down into the report, the more information about me I was discovering.

As I say, I have nothing to hide, but to those who are paranoid and think something like Thai Chana is a incursion on their privacy, I suggest they actually find out what data their smart phone is recording about them. OK, I could switch the location feature off, but if I need to use the SatNav, I need to switch it on again. Believe me, Big Brother is well and truly here.

[buksida]

There is a big difference:

You can opt out of Google maps history and disable tracking.

You cannot opt out of state surveillance.

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Edit: Here's how to disable it: https://www.cnet.com/how-to/stop-google ... ogle-maps/

[Big Boy]

Yes, but how many paranoid people don't actually realise the power of their mobile phone? I was very surprised at some of the data it was holding about me.

Basically, if you're going to do something dodgy, leave your phone at home.

[caller]

It's actually not very good. It might place me at a location, sush as Buff Bill's. But only to walk by, not to eat at or 'visited' as claimed. Same with several other places it claims I have visited. Anyway, I have just 'paused' the service.

[Big Boy]

From what I could tell, it only highlights places that I actually stopped at.

BTW I don't think Buff Bill's exists any more

[HHTel]

Until now, I never knew that Google Maps kept tabs historically. Just looked at mine and it even shows the hotels and restaurants I visited 2 years ago. In Ban Phe, Koh Samed and Pattaya, last year it gives daily routes I took even when walking. Even points out which 'trips' were on motorbike.

Fortunately, it doesn't say who I was with at the time

Not sure whether to be shocked or amazed.

[PeteC]

I just checked mine and it's a big zero. I've had my location turned off since I bought the phone. I am a ghost.

[Big Boy]

I've just been showing my revelations to my son. It is fascinating, and shows how long I've spent at every stop. With technology like this available, I wonder why the Thais even bothered to write a Micky Mouse app like Thai Chana. They've basically re-invented the wheel and it's square.

[pharvey]

I'm at a loss to find the "history"....

I see "favourites" etc. that I've added, but no real history as such....

[Big Boy]

I get mine e-mailed to me.

[PeteC]

On my phone I'm just looking at all the tabs at the bottom of the app., then at the tabs at the top of each app as you open the bottom tabs. I've got no history across the board.

[Dannie Boy]

I'm at a loss to find the "history"....

I see "favourites" etc. that I've added, but no real history as such....

Click on your account name and then click on “your timeline” and as long as you’ve allowed your device to track your movements, all will be revealed!!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[pharvey]

I'm at a loss to find the "history"....

I see "favourites" etc. that I've added, but no real history as such....

Click on your account name and then click on “your timeline” and as long as you’ve allowed your device to track your movements, all will be revealed!!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Had been trying to use on my iPhone but couldn't access - with the above info accessed on my laptop... little frightening in a way.

[Ralfredo]

Fortunately, it doesn't say who I was with at the time

It doesn't say but does it know...

[Lost]

Fortunately, it doesn't say who I was with at the time

It doesn't say but does it know...

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