Why do we have a setting to turn off precision location if apps refuse to work with it?

3 years ago by alldreadme to c/android

Like why have the toggle in the first place if apps can detect it? Doesn't letting apps know about it defeat the whole purpose?

eee 6 points 3 years ago

It's hard to make it undetectable. The lcoation API has to return something. If the location is "null" or "disabled", then apps would know.

Most apps play nice. Apps which force close/refuse to work without excessive permissions, i try not to use.

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chris2112 6 points 3 years ago

In theory, devs need to know what setting you chose so that, if you legitimately need presicse location, you can tell the user to enable it. In practice I'm sure plenty of apps that claim they need precise location don't really need it, but it's not a restricted permission either so Google doesn't do any validation during their review process

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alldreadme 3 points 3 years ago

Yeah, makes sense. Sad that it kinda defeats the purpose though.

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eatham 4 points 3 years ago

Some apps play nice, but most app that need location(like maps) would need exact location for their purpose.

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kraken 2 points 3 years ago

Precision location leaks data about surrounding wifi networks to google. You can disable it, because a lot of people are uncomfortable with that.

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alldreadme 2 points 3 years ago

Yeah, but some apps refuse to work if it's off.

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