- Google has revised a help page that erroneously described how its 'Location History' setting works.
- An Associated Press report revealed that even with the 'Location History' setting disabled, Google was still tracking some user locations.
- Google has now made it clear that “some location data may be saved as part of your activity on other services," even with 'Location History' turned off.
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Google has revised a help page that erroneously described how its “Location History” setting works, clarifying for users that it still tracks their location even if they turn the setting off.
On Monday, an Associated Press investigation revealed that several Google apps and websites store user location even if users have turned off Location History. Google has not changed that practice.
But its help page now states: “This setting does not affect other location services on your device.” It also acknowledges that “some location data may be saved as part of your activity on other services, like Search and Maps.”
Previously, the page stated: “with Location History off, the places you go are no longer stored.”
The AP observed that the change occurred midday Thursday, three days after the AP’s initial report.
In a statement to the AP, Google said: “We have been updating the explanatory language about Location History to make it more consistent and clear across our platforms and help centers.”
On February 28, Axel Springer, Business Insider's parent company, joined 31 other media groups and filed a $2.3 billion suit against Google in Dutch court, alleging losses suffered due to the company's advertising practices.
