← Back to context

Comment by metalliqaz

4 years ago

How to fully disable Google location tracking on your smartphone:

https://www.androidpolice.com/2019/10/08/how-to-fully-disabl...

How to disable personalized ads on Android:

https://www.androidguys.com/tips-tools/how-to-disable-person...

> Note that if you clear your cache, you will lose your opt-out setting.” Tap OK to continue and implement the change.

Which cache is that talking about, the browser, or some system level thing? Doesn't clearing your cache break some of their fingerprinting and tracking stuff (timing side channels, etc.)? Seems kind of egregious to have clearing that simultaneously opt you back in.

PSA: This does NOT stop Google tracking your smartphones location. If you think taking these steps means Google's blissfully unaware of where your smartphone is located is denying themselves reality, there are many, many ways to track where a handset is at any given moment (IP address, cellular tower location, with 5G it can be even more precise).

I'd be shocked if after turning off all the settings on my phone it was impossible to track its location via some capability somewhere.