We all know that smartphones are capable of tracking where users are via positioning technology. The ability to track real-time location helps a lot when we want to detect our lost or stolen mobile devices. However, some people take drastic measures to protect their security information. Others literally want people to know where they are. So, is location data a good thing or not?
Location Data is your assistant
Location data can be of great help in our daily life. We can detect our lost devices and share location with our family. The more common scenario is that we open our map and find our way to a certain destination. Thanks to the location data presented by our devices, we can explore local food and grasp the real-time condition of the traffic. Location data is your life assistant and companion.
Location Data is not your friend
On one hand, you might be afraid of location data gathered by the third-party app. Not only are these apps potentially less trustworthy, but also the collected location data can be easily associated with you personally and not anonymized. One of the examples is that social media sites showing your location to “friends” can give your location away to people who you don’t see and know as well. Some social media sites may also use your location to do things like target advertisements.
Now, you might fall into a plight and wonder whether we should allow to be tracked or not. To interpret comprehensively how they work can address the problem and dispel your worry. Hence, this post will show you several ways your cellphones know where you are. Here we go!
Way 1: Internet Connection
Smartphones have an Internet Portocal address which is assigned by the Internet service provider (ISP). IP addresses help track our real-time location. If you are afraid of revealing your IP address, you can try not to connect your cellphone to Wi-Fi.
Your cell phones can still send out your position if you have turned off Wi-Fi but still turn on your data. Under this circumstance, a cellular network provider plays a role in giving away your position instead of your ISP.
Way 2: GPS Data
GPS tracks real-time location via satellites. As a result, it doesn’t require internet service and works pretty much anywhere. It means that the availability of GPS has nothing to do with Internet or data connection. Even though your smartphone isn’t connected to the Internet, GPS service will still track your real-time location.
Both Android Location Services and Apple Location Services use GPS data. Third-party apps using APIs from these platforms can also access this information when you use those apps. You are entitled to refuse the permissions for most of these apps individually when you open them, or in the app settings. You can also disable your device location in the settings.
If your location data is turned off, your provider can make that information available upon request. This may be done if your device is lost or stolen, or if you call an emergency number.
Way 3: Accidental Disclosure
In this high-tech world and busy working life, it can be easy to forget the simple things. You might have turned off your device location all you want, but your updated posts on the social media platforms might also reveal your real-time location as well.
Way 4: Legitimate Cell phone Trackers
Cell phone tracker like MLocator https://www.mobilephonelocator.net/ use a combination of GPS technology, Wi-Fi connection and cell tower triangulation to track your real-time location, estimating more accurate location. But you should note that the cell phone tracker can’t trace the phone when it is switched off. More special highlights of cell phone trackers included:
- Consumer-friendly interface
- Anonymous trackers
- No installation required
You can googling more features about cell phone tracker on the search engines and explore more about the service. There is no need for you to wonder the legality of cell phone tracker. It is protected by law if you use cell phone tracker on your underage kids. It is within the law if you have gained the approval of your target.
Final thoughts:
To sum up, your mobile devices have a number of ways to know and share locations. The method they use depends on the device, and connection it has access to apps.
Here lists several common ways your cell phone knowing where you are. Location data is a double-edge sword, but you can definitely find some ways can be turned off or blocked when you don’t want to be traced. Therefore, just be relaxed and accept that giving away your location is just at your disposal as well.
0 Comments