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Google To Allow Location Service Opt-out

Posted by timothy on from the right-gracious-of-them dept.

TripleP writes "In a kind gesture from Google, they're allowing wireless AP owners to opt out of their location service. You only have to change your SSID to include '_nomap' as a suffix. Is it just me, or should this 'service' be an explicit opt-in?"

6 of 284 comments (clear)

  1. Re:you dont opt in to webcrawling by Lost+Found · · Score: 5, Interesting

    I basically agree with your point aside from the fact that you don't have to change your domain name to add a _norobots.com suffix in order to opt out of web crawling.

  2. If you don't want your SSID to be mappable by samael · · Score: 5, Informative

    Then don't broadcast it!

    They aren't doing any snooping on your private data here, just noting where different SSIDs are broadcasting. Unless your SSID name consists of your name, DOB, mother's maiden name, etc. you have nothing to worry about.

    --
    My Journal
  3. Why do you care? by Manip · · Score: 5, Insightful

    While it is nice of Google to offer this, I don't really understand why people care. The SID was always public information as are the location of the AP. So to then turn around and accuse Google of invade your privacy by recording what essentially you've told your AP to shout from the rooftops seems a little contradictory to me. It isn't like SIDs are personal or in any way linked to you as an individual or even your surfing activity.

    So as I said, nice of Google to do this, but I'd question what anyone who opted out really hopes to accomplish by doing so...

  4. I don't really mind by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    I don't care that much if Google maps my AP. Because if someone is lost out where I am, they're going to need all the help they can get.

  5. Publically broadcasted info by Nanosphere · · Score: 5, Funny

    My SSID is:

    Nanosphere'); Drop
    Table SSIDs;--

  6. Re:Opt-in by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    He won't answer that because you didn't give him permission to.