Google Maps is one of the most popular apps in the world.
This clever service helps users get from A to B and also includes the ability to show live traffic data, the fastest route to your destination and even the best options for using public transport.
With so many useful features it’s hardly surprising why so many of us use this mapping tool on our phones every day.
However, you may not realise it but your smartphone is tracking your every move, monitoring and recording each part of your journey.
With our phones now constantly hooked up to the internet, via a mobile signal, smartphone owners can be tracked to within inches of their actual location.
For owners of an Android or Apple devices, this detailed data is instantly beamed to their Google account, where it can be stored for months.
But the most frightening part is that these movements can even be viewed on a fully interactive location history map.
Clearly, for some people, this tracking technology can be extremely useful and once you’re logged in, Google allows easy access to edit and delete your history.
The US firm also says that the service they provide isn’t compulsory and the internet giant provides clear instructions on how to switch the mobile tracking off.
So, if you don’t like the thought of Google knowing where you’ve been, follow these steps to turn location services off.
HOW TO SWITCH OFF LOCATION SERVICES
You can turn off Location History for your account at any time.
On your Android phone or tablet, open your device’s Settings app and then Google and then Google Account.
At the top, tap Data & personalisation.
Under “Activity controls,” tap Location History and then Manage setting.
Change whether your account or your devices can report Location History to Google:
Your account & all your devices: At the top, turn Use Location History on or off.
If you use an iPhone simply go to Settings > Privacy > Location Services and switch off Google Maps.
HOW TO DELETE LOCATION HISTORY
Google Maps Timeline provides you with an interface to manage and delete your Location History information.
You can choose to delete all your history, or only parts of it.
When you delete Location History information from Timeline, you won’t be able to see it again.
On your Android phone or tablet, open your device’s Settings app Settings app and then Google and then Google Account.
At the top, tap Data & personalization.
Under “Activity controls,” tap Location History.
At the bottom, tap Manage Timeline. Your device will open Google Maps Google Maps.
Tap More More and then Settings.
At the bottom, choose Delete all Location History or Delete Location History range.