XPost: comp.mobile.android, sci.geo.satellite-nav   
   From: bashley101@gmail.com   
      
   On 9/21/23 6:29 PM, 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?   
      
   Put the phone in airplane mode?   
      
   I just found out that MY location is picked up by google maps only via   
   wifi+location services.  With wifi off and cell service+location   
   services on it can't see me.   
      
      
   --   
   Cheers, Bev   
       I bought a tape called "Subliminal Advertising"   
       The next day I bought 47 more.   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)