Google recorded wifi names and locations as a "bycatch" when taking streetview p... | Hacker News

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		jcynix 80 days ago \| parent \| context \| favorite \| on: Mobile carriers can get your GPS location Google recorded wifi names and locations as a "bycatch" when taking streetview pictures from 2007 upto 2010. They still collect such data on Android devices if the user consents or ignores the option to say "no" … :-0 Certain devices (especially tablets) don't have GPS or various sensors integrated and still can tell you your approximate location, if WiFi is enabled.

denysvitali 80 days ago [–]

Apple does the same. Actually, most of the time in areas w/o direct sky view GNSS isn't usable at all.

If you want to play around a bit, you can try my tool that queries Apple's location services for your nearby networks. The precision is remarkable.

https://github.com/denysvitali/where-am-i

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