When traveling or commuting, our goal is to get our destination as quickly and safely as possible. Navigation apps on our phones and even in our cars allow us to avoid road closures, accidents and take alternate routes all in real time.
The convenience of navigation apps certainly help us stay on track, but have you ever considered what your map apps know about you? We’re all aware of social media sites and big companies collecting our personal data but what about the tools you use every day?
If you’ve ever used your phone to navigate to a new location, you’ve most likely shared more than you’re aware of. This visual (created by The Zebra) explains what data common navigation apps collect on you and how they can use it, also in conjuction with other tech.
The most common map apps are Google Maps, Apple Maps, and Waze.
What your map apps know about you:
- Where you live
- Places you’ve visited
- How long you’ve stayed at businesses
- Typical travel patterns
If you find the amount of data they have on you uncomfortable, there are steps you can take to limit what you share. Always check your settings and disable location sharing if you want to take that extra step.
