XPost: comp.mobile.android, sci.geo.satellite-nav   
   From: Jeff@invalid.invalid   
      
   On 22/09/2023 02:29, Wally J wrote:   
   > Does anyone here have more technical information as to how Google Maps   
   > obtains your location using cell tower data as described in this reference?   
   >    *How Maps finds your current location*   
   >      
   >   
   >    Maps estimates where you are from sources like:   
   >    a. GPS:   
   >       Maps uses satellites to know your location up to around 20 meters.   
   >       When you're inside buildings or underground, the GPS is sometimes   
   >       inaccurate.   
   >    b. Wi-Fi: The location of nearby Wi-Fi networks helps Maps know   
   >       where you are.   
   >    c. Cell tower: Your connection to mobile data can be accurate   
   >       up to a few thousand meters."   
   >   
   > Note the use of "mobile data" (and not "cellular data") in the above.   
   >   
   > I was always aware that Google "could" use at least four types of data   
   >   1. GPS (which, IMHO, is perfectly sufficient alone for most needs)   
   >   2. Wi-Fi (i.e., your SSID/BSSID/dBm/GPS uploaded by your rude neighbors)   
   >   3. IP address geolocation (often more to the ISP's datacenter than you)   
   >   4. Cellular tower location (these are unique - but maps are proprietary)   
   >   
   > Previously I was unaware Maps was actually _using_ cell-tower geolocation.   
   > If Google Maps is using cell-tower geolocation, how do you turn that off?   
   >   
   > Where do they get the database given they're supposedly not published by   
   > the cellular carriers (although they are open sourced widely otherwise)?   
   >   
   > Do you have a better reference on how "cellular tower geolocation" is used   
   > on Android and do you have a better reference on how to turn it off?   
      
   Not answering your question, but don't forget that Google can find you   
   even with location supposedly turned off. "Personal Safety" recently   
   appeared in my list of system apps during an update (it might already   
   have been there and in use but didn't appear until the update). Under   
   the section "Crisis alerts", it states "Personal safety uses your   
   device's location to find info about the crises affecting your area,   
   even when the app is closed or not in use.". There is a link to "learn   
   more". This opens another help page apparently relating to Pixel phones.   
   It notes I am using a custom version of Android, and that the "steps   
   might not apply". The page is at:   
      
      
   There is a long section in "Get help during an emergency" about "Send   
   your location automatically". It starts "Your phone uses Emergency   
   Location Service (ELS) only when you call or text and emergency number.   
   If your phone has ELS turned on, ELS may use Google Location Services   
   *and other info* (my emphasis!) to determine the most accurate location   
   for your phone during an emergency call...".There's a link at the end to   
   location sharing with Google Maps. What the "other info" is it doesn't say.   
      
   None of this may be relevant, but it shows that Google can access   
   location information even when its supposedly turned off.   
      
   --   
      
   Jeff   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)