Why browser geolocation matters to privacy
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Recent OSes even have an option to control if location is shared with an application.
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@Chas4 This is good, but it only works if apps use the built-in OS location API. If, like vivaldi, they do their own thing, then it won't work.
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For me it does not seem to matter (although I keep Geolocation at "Ask" or Deny, dependong on the browser). However recently moved. Geolocation worked at expected at my prevois location, now no matter what site I go to that asks they seem to think I am in a city 200 miles away!? Same computer, all browsers (PaleMoon, Firefox, SeaMonkey and Vivaldi). The latest Win10, same happens on my old Linux laptop. Perhaps there is no Mozilla here?
I have studied the The New York Times Privacy Project, and was although I had an idea I was amazed at the ability to gather the amounts of information they did. If they can do it...
Glad I do not have a mobile phone. -
la precaución y desconfianza, siempre debe ser unas de las motivaciones al hablar sobre estos temas, para quienes trabajamos en ambientes digitales, gracias por alertarnos, saludos olga !!!
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Although Geolocation is disabled and Open Street Map is used, Google and others always know the location of each user, through direct and indirect sources (metadata). As in the other privacy issues, the user can only limit them, but never completely eliminate them. Less still using a smartphone with an OS completely controlled by a Multinational company.
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True Mozilla is less accurate in some places, but this is down to the amount of samples being submitted.
Peoples android devices are filling the gaps for google all the time, but Mozilla rely on users having firefox open or that they have installed Mozilla stumbler.
In cities you have a higher chance of the resolution and frequency keeping the system updated.Perhaps if more people opt to use Mozilla stumbler, and those that can set the Mozilla backend as the default in the system do so, the accuracy will improve.
If you want improved accuracy in your rural area, then maybe it is up to you to use stumbler whenever you travel around it.Maybe Vivaldi should consider promoting Mozilla Stumbler.
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@lonm: Yep, and that can be misused.
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@miguelangelcarballo: Solo Ingles aqui, por favor.
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@gwen-dragon: every chromium clone pays for that?
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If you carry a mobile phone, making your browser secure may become irrelevant.
Cell Phone Tracking (New York Times Article)
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