Disabling Location History Doesn’t Stop Google From Tracking Your Location

Disabling Google’s Location History doesn’t stop Google from tracking your location on Android and iOS devices.

Google users can disable location history on this page, but some Google applications keep track of your location even if you do. Here’s Ryan Nakashima, writing for the Associated Press:

Even with Location History paused, some Google apps automatically store time-stamped location data without asking.

For example, Google stores a snapshot of where you are when you merely open its Maps app. Automatic daily weather updates on Android phones pinpoint roughly where you are. And some searches that have nothing to do with location, like “chocolate chip cookies,” or “kids science kits,” pinpoint your precise latitude and longitude—accurate to the square foot—and save it to your Google account.

Google representatives told the AP this location tracking can be disabled completely by turning off the “Web & App Activity” feature; find that setting here.

RELATED: Do You Realize How Much You Share Your Location?

This is odd, because the “Web & App Activity” setting does not mention location at all, and is even right beside the Location History toggle in the settings. But now you know, I guess, so go ahead and change the settings if this worries you.