this post was submitted on 20 Nov 2025
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Technology

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It's your fault my laptop knows where I am (www.amoses.dev)
submitted 3 hours ago* (last edited 3 hours ago) by Xylight@lemdro.id to c/technology@lemmy.world
5 comments fedilink hide all child comments
 

Interesting article shared with me about the way Wi-Fi location services work.

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[–] merde@sh.itjust.works 9 points 3 hours ago (2 children)

related : https://support.google.com/maps/answer/1725632?hl=en

How do I opt my access point out of Google Location services?

To opt out, change the SSID (name) of your Wi-Fi access point (your wireless network name) so that it ends with "_nomap." For example, if your SSID is "12345," you would change it to "12345_nomap."

[–] phaedrus@piefed.world 9 points 1 hour ago

And just like robots.txt, I'm sure they will totally honor this in perpetuity

/s

[–] undefined@lemmy.hogru.ch 2 points 2 hours ago (1 children)

And remember: this won’t work with “hidden” SSIDs.

From what I recall hidden SSIDs will always be used for location services.

[–] rhythmisaprancer@piefed.social 5 points 2 hours ago

That isn't great.

[–] kalkulat@lemmy.world 2 points 2 hours ago* (last edited 2 hours ago)

"It’s associated with “Location Services” on most devices, meaning that you cannot opt out of your phone reporting the locations of surrounding Wi-Fi devices without turning off your phone’s ability to obtain its location entirely."

You may usually know where you're at, but maybe someone else needs to?