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Man Sues Over Google's 'Location History' Fiasco, Case Could Affect Millions (arstechnica.com)
Last week, The Associated Press found that many Google services on Android devices and iPhones store your location data even if you've explicitly disabled the location sharing feature. As a result, Google has now been sued by a man in San Diego, who argues that Google is violating the California Invasion of Privacy Act and the state's constitutional right to privacy. Ars Technica reports: The lawsuit seeks class-action status, and it would include both an "Android Class" and "iPhone Class" for the potential millions of people in the United States with such phones who turned off their Location History and nonetheless had it recorded by Google. It will likely take months or longer for the judge to determine whether there is a sufficient class.
Also on August 17, attorneys from the Electronic Privacy Information Center wrote in a sternly worded three-page letter to the FTC that Google's practices are in clear violation of the 2011 settlement with the agency. In that settlement, Google agreed that it would not misrepresent anything related to "(1) the purposes for which it collects and uses covered information, and (2) the extent to which consumers may exercise control over the collection, use, or disclosure of covered information." Until the Associated Press story on August 13, Google's policy simply stated: "You can turn off Location History at any time. With Location History off, the places you go are no longer stored."
Also on August 17, attorneys from the Electronic Privacy Information Center wrote in a sternly worded three-page letter to the FTC that Google's practices are in clear violation of the 2011 settlement with the agency. In that settlement, Google agreed that it would not misrepresent anything related to "(1) the purposes for which it collects and uses covered information, and (2) the extent to which consumers may exercise control over the collection, use, or disclosure of covered information." Until the Associated Press story on August 13, Google's policy simply stated: "You can turn off Location History at any time. With Location History off, the places you go are no longer stored."
...turn location services off, completely? It's not hard to find.
Unless, Google are not *actually* turning it off when you turn it off - that would be a problem.
In a bizarre update to this story, this man was beaten to death in an alley. A single observer said only that the perpetrators almost seemed to know that he was headed toward them.
This is a frivolous lawsuit if I ever heard one. First, the plaintiff must show actual damages, and there are none. Second, Google is only complying with the Law, which requires that phones sold in Interstate commerce support e911 location services *at all times*. The cellular network must have precise locations of every phone at all times, and Google can facilitate this service with complete immunity because the on-device GPS is far more accurate, and therefore far more life-saving, than tower triangulation. The public interest clearly outweighs the interests of someone who has no real reason to object.
Are these both one in the same? I would think location sharing which is what the summary said he turned off is not the same as location history no?
Fuck google, can we get a $10000000b fine?
This is one of the serious reasons we need to be able to root/custom Rom our Devices. Apple Users are defenseless on this front.
Google Location Services is built into pretty much every Stock Rom Android Smart Phone, no matter how "Vanilla" you get it with the sole exception of LineageOS Based Custom Roms. There is no switching it off, unless you intend to not use data or Wifi completely.
With LineageOS, you have UnifiledNlp which lets you choose your location provider, that can be Google, or it can be Mozilla, or it can be LocalGSM Backend or Local Wifi, which eliminates to some extent the tracking device and Privacy invasion aspects of Android Devices.
You can partially mitigate some of it by using OsmAnd~ for Android, but that only keeps your intended destinations safe, and not your actual history.
If your Stuck with a Stock Rom, because no LineageOS Rom exists for your device, there is Root+XPrivacy. If you can get Root. That might let you switch off Google Location services, but without a custom Recovery and a way to unroot, your device will soft brick on the next update. This is also an issue for LineageOS Users who get one unofficial LineageOS
Apple users are in even worse shape. The minute that Apple's leadership changes, to be more compliant with government's wishes, then Apple devices are suddenly hte biggest possible liability in terms of security.
This is mainly because idiots do not know what Location History is. Location History is the little spots that show up in "Timeline" in Google Maps, Timeline used to be called Google Location History. Since 2009 you have been able to have your phone track where you've been to build a custom map of where you've been, Location History is the setting that turned that on and off.
It was never about every single Google service no longer tracking your location at all, although some services do depend on it to work.
Apple Users are defenseless on this front.
Wrong. Apple (iOS) users have two defenses to start with:
1) The OS itself, which doesn't let apps like Google have any location info if the user does not want them to.
2) Apple, which actually values user privacy because they sell devices, not data. Apple will be be collecting anything location related if you turn off location services.
Apple users are in even worse shape. The minute that Apple's leadership changes, to be more compliant with government's wishes, then Apple devices are suddenly hte biggest possible liability
Wrong again, because even if Apple's leadership changed hands and for some reason the profit motives changed (how would that happen again????), I could simply stop accepting OS updates on iOS if I wished - the OS on the devices doesn't let updates install without my permission.
"There is more worth loving than we have strength to love." - Brian Jay Stanley
I wish that I could just use a dumb phone, but some important services require you to use their programs.
For example, instant messaging like WeChat and digital wallet like Alipay requires you to use their programs, and if you live in China you will find that everyone use them and you HAVE TO use them for your job and some stores do not accept cash.
One can always dream...
BTW, please use the term "program" instead of "app".
I rarely go to Slashdot anymore, because it's shit. But any time I do, oh look. It's the sad case who follows creimer around. Fucking hell. Still can't find anything better to do? Fuckin' tragic.
I do not want your cheap brainburning drugs. They are useless for work. And I am a working man today.
As soon as I read the report, I immediately wondered if a class action lawsuit would happen. I would love to see these tech companies get nailed against the wall for their obnoxious privacy abuses, especially in an age where info crimes are skyrocketing.
The only thing I'm not sure about... don't you have to demonstrate some kind of harm or injury? How would this work?
"It will likely take months or longer for the judge to determine whether there is a sufficient class. "
If you're not classy enough, you're not gonna get it!
...gis sdrawkcab (usually not responding to ACs; don't bother posting as AC)
8 years ago, 2 USAF Master Sergeants told me ALL were required to attend a meeting. Short explanation is no talk within 10 meters of any phone, even if battery has been removed or federal prison as penalty.
Tech webs warn phone systems can remain alive over 2 hours after battery is removed.
Other google applications collect & send data even if G+, Maps, Latitudes & mandatory apps are set not to collect or send locations, sound & pix.
Name spyphone is well deserved.