One of the ways Google takes advantage of their massive reach is to follow their users, and what they do, to gain valuable data. Now that they are in the pockets of a billion users, they can also literally follow where people around.
Fortunately there's a fairly easy way to block Google from tracking your movements via your devices and apps. First head to Activity controls.
If the direct link doesn't work, you'll have to head to Google's Privacy Checkup page.
After pressing Start Now, you'll be presented with options to Personalize your Google experience. The second option should be Location History, under which you can find a link to Manage Location History. Press the link.
This will open the map view of your locations over time. Below it you'll find another link to Manage Location History, press the link. Now you should be in the Activity controls page.
Finally you'll find the slider to turn turn off Location History.
However, this only doesn't fully protect you from location tracking. You'll still need to turn off Web & App Activity from Activity controls. If the direct link doesn't work, head to the Privacy Checkup and this time choose the Manage Web & App Activity under the first option.
From there you'll find a list of activities above which is the link Change setting. Click that link. Turn off Web & App Activity.
After you've disabled Web & App Activity, you shouldn't be tracked by Google's services anymore. However, do note that this might affect how some apps and services that use location data work in your devices. This includes things like traffic data.
Written by: Matti Robinson @ 10 May 2019 12:12
