Google knows where you are 24/7. Here’s how to stop it

You have turned off Location History on your Google Account. So your Google apps can no longer follow you, can they? Not exactly. Although disabling this setting looks like a simple one, some Google apps are always storing your location data. Simply opening the Google Maps app or using Google on any platform for a search records your location per square foot with a timestamp, according to an Associated Press survey.

Turning off location history only removes where you’ve been from the Google Maps Timeline feature, which records your location along with certain data at a specific time. Google’s support page on this is confusing. It says that even when disabled, “some location data may still be saved in other settings”, such as your web and app activity. (We’ve reached out to Google for more information and will update this story when we have a response.) But if you take a few extra steps, you can prevent Google from knowing where you are 24/7.

Just note that disabling this default setting has some drawbacks. While Google’s settings may seem intrusive to some, they also help cultivate an ultra-personalized online experience, for example through personalized ads.

here’s how really disable Google tracking and what could be the consequences.

How to turn off Google’s location tracking

To completely turn off Google’s ability to save your location, here’s what to do:

1. Open Google.com on your desktop or mobile browser.

2. At the top right, sign in to your Google account if you aren’t already.

3. To select Manage your Google account.

4. In the Privacy and Personalization area, select Manage your data & personalization.

5. Scroll down to activity controls and select Manage your activity checks.

6. There you will see a box called Web and app activity. From here you can slide the toggle switch to disabled.

7. There will be a disclosure to make sure you understand what disabling this setting will do before selecting Pause.

What is this preventing Google from storing?

Disabling this setting prevents Google from storing location markers associated with specific actions. and prevents the company from storing information collected during research or other activities. Turning it off not only keeps your current location private, but also your IP address and other sensitive information, such as your home address.

Note that in order to use some features, like the Maps app, Google will still need to access your location. However, following the steps above prevents it from storing your activity.

What are the pros and cons of disabling Google tracking?

Turning off tracking means you’ll see less relevant ads, less useful search recommendations, and overall a less personalized experience using the search engine and its apps and services. For those who like personalized ads, turning off tracking will prevent Google from predicting what might be of interest to you. However, for those who prioritize privacy over everything, disabling this setting may mean the loss of specificity.

The bottom line: You can preserve your privacy and lose the personalized internet experience, or continue to let Google share your information with third parties and continue to see relevant ads and search suggestions.

Will I lose saved data if I turn off this Google setting?

No – your saved data will remain intact. Disabling tracking will prevent Google from storing future information, but will not delete any past data it has collected. To delete this past information, follow these steps:

1. In a browser, go to the main Google page and make sure you’re signed in. Click on the profile icon in the upper right corner and select Manage your Google account.

2. To select Data and personalization in the left toolbar or to select Manage your data & personalization in the box on the page. Both options will bring you to the same place.

3. Under Activity checks, select Position history.

4. To select Manage activity, and it will bring you to Google Timeline.

5. In the lower right corner, click the settings icon immediately at the left of the Map button and select Delete all location history.

6. Check the box to indicate that you understand and want to delete all location history.

7. Click on Delete location history.

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