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New Google Trusted Contacts Service Shares User Location In Real Time (onthewire.io)
Reader Trailrunner7 writes: Google has spent a lot of time and money on security over the last few years, developing new technologies and systems to protect users' devices. One of the newer technologies the company has come up with is designed to provide security for users themselves rather than their laptops or phones.
On Monday Google launched a new app for Android called Trusted Contacts that allows users to share their locations and some limited other information with a set of close friends and family members. The system is a two-way road, so a user can actively share her location with her Trusted Contacts, and stop sharing it at her discretion. But, when a problem or potential emergency comes up, one of those contacts can request to get that user's location to see where she is at any moment. The app is designed to give users a way to reassure contacts that they're safe, or request help if there's something wrong.
On Monday Google launched a new app for Android called Trusted Contacts that allows users to share their locations and some limited other information with a set of close friends and family members. The system is a two-way road, so a user can actively share her location with her Trusted Contacts, and stop sharing it at her discretion. But, when a problem or potential emergency comes up, one of those contacts can request to get that user's location to see where she is at any moment. The app is designed to give users a way to reassure contacts that they're safe, or request help if there's something wrong.
But they always had this capability. That's the whole point of the Google location services, and why you can't easily swap them out for another implementation.
You perhaps thought that Google was doing you a favour? Even their public name servers and time servers are just ways to siphon more data from you (name server tells them what sites you visited, while the time server roughly tells them where you live, just in case you thought you were smart for registering your account under the name "Sheik Al Ali Kebab Shop" from Saudi Arabia).
And they know all about your goat fetish. Trust me, they didn't WANT to know that. But they do.
(kidding side, Google is evil. Everything they do is geared at collecting data on their users, and selling it to the highest bidder. The do not care.)
It's called "Find My Friends" on iOS, you can share your location temporarily which is great for when you are travelling with friends. I have it permanently enabled with my brothers, easier than having to phone/message them to find out how far away they are when we meet up.
Otherwise, while I wouldn't enable it until a relationship becomes serious, my girlfriend (of 3 years now) and I have had it permanently enabled with each other since we moved in together. It's very good for peace of mind and was especially useful when she was unfortunately involved in a serious car accident as I was able to locate her very quickly.
Considering that iOS has a reputation for generally lagging behind Android in features, I'm quite surprised this has only now arrived on Android when Apple has had it for years.
Of course if you value your privacy greatly, steer clear, I'm not worried, but each to their own I guess.
The real take-away is that Google will also know your location. Wrapping it up in a sheep's skin of user-convenience is their Modus Operandi.
It comes with the territory, you have to trust somebody, Google is just about all that's left.
For their community support Google Earth for one, your ability to make money from youtube, Android, just lots. I don't mind sharing my searches, and the little I supply. I don't log into Google just to search or view youtube, there is a limit.
As for this buddy locater it comes across as a good thing bad thing, both sides debatable.