Google Maps is free, and part of the reason is that Google profits from how we use it to collect data. AND The data about us collected by Google Maps is extensive.although some of them are optional or essential for any application of the style.
Then we will collect the data that Google Maps collects from you when you use itas stated by Google itself in its privacy policy and in the section on application data security on Google Play.
Navigation data
One of the benefits that Google gets from our use of Google Maps is that it collects your browsing data to improve Google Maps. This data is used to determine traffic status in real timewhich is a big advantage of Google Maps over other competing apps.
This collection of navigation data is why an artist used a car full of cell phones to simulate a traffic jam in Berlin a few years ago and why we see how segments of a route turn red on the map with any retention (e.g. a traffic light). This data is not associated with your account, but is anonymous and is as follows:
- GPS location.
- Navigation details, such as the route taken.
- Data from mobile sensors, such as the barometer.
Location data
Of course, Google Maps also has access to your location, at least if you usually use it to plot real-time routes or search around you. Now, location data is used for more than just what’s obvious, since The approximate location is used for advertising and marketing purposesprevent fraud, personalization, according to Google.
THE precise location It is mainly used for the functionality of the application, that is, for the normal use of maps, although it is also used to personalize the experience and perform analysis of our use.
- Approximate location.
- Precise location.
Searches and addresses
Everything you do on Google Maps is recorded, including everything you are looking forwhich is attached to your Google history, in the Web and Apps section. However, this is optional, so you are free to disable it.
This includes the addresses of the places you visit and obviously all the sites you save in the lists. Here is some of the data that Google records from our searches and addresses:
- Common travel settings.
- My tagged sites.
- Travel itineraries.
- Search history.
- Service requests.
- Local sites you have followed.
- Answers to questions displayed after completing a trip.
Contacts
Although this is not strictly a Google Maps thing, the Google Maps app access our contacts (from Google) to display your addresses on the map. This is optional.
What is common is that we use Google Maps with our active account, in which case the information is used for personalize our experience
Photos, videos and reviews
As is obvious, if We work together to improve Google Maps by writing reviewsby uploading photos or suggesting edits to maps, all of this data is also stored securely by Google.
The more you share, the more Google will record, as well as all the content we share as such. reviews or photos are public and there is no way to limit its visibility other than removing it. Here is some of the data that Google collects in this regard:
- Comments.
- Photos you contributed.
- Added dishes, products and activities.
- Answers to automated questions.
- Questions and answers.
Audio recordings
And if we use search or directions using voiceour voice will be recorded by Google, which caused a lot of controversy a few years ago. This is optional and unless you use voice search, it doesn’t affect you.
Google says these voice recordings are used for app functionality (primarily searches), though it also says they’re used for analytics and personalize the experiencewhich is a little more enigmatic.
- Voice or sound recordings.
Activity in the application
Practically everything you do on Google Maps can be detected by Google, which seems extremely invasive but is quite common for diagnostics if there is a problem with the app.
What is more controversial is that Google Maps checks installed appswhich Google claims is used for app functionality (e.g. connecting to Spotify), but also to prevent fraud and for security reasons.
- Application interactions.
- Installed applications.
Internal identifiers
In the field of diagnostic dataGoogle Maps accesses a fair amount of data and identifiers. These are primarily used for analytics and fraud prevention, although the unique device identifier is used for more mundane tasks such as advertising or marketing.
- Crash logs.
- Diagnosis.
- Other application performance data.
- Device or other identifiers
Personal data
Finally, we cannot forget about personal data, most of which is attached to our Google account. They are optional while it is possible to use Google Maps without an account or in private browsing mode, but otherwise Google Maps will manage this data.
Most of the data is primarily for application functionality, analytics, and communications, although it should be noted that the User IDs and addresses are also used for advertising purposes. marketing.
- Name.
- E-mail.
- User ID.
- Address.
- Phone number.
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