The NHS confirms its coronavirus tracing app will be ready in two to three weeks, but concerns remain over its approach to privacy
News location
Coronavirus: France Asks For Easing Of Privacy For Covid-19 Tracing API
France asks Google and Apple for their ‘private’ Coronavirus tracing API to be a little less private, with the easing of data sharing with governments
Coronavirus: Apple Begins Publishing Mobility Data
Not as detailed as Google’s Covid-19 Community Mobility reports, but Apple has released a tool that shows changes in people’s travel or mobility patterns
Coronavirus: UK Confirms Development Of Covid-19 Contact App
Health Secretary Matt Hancock confirms government is developing an app to warn users if they came into close contact with Covid-19 infected person
Coronavirus: Operators Share Location Data With Health Authorities
European mobile operators are sharing location data with health authorities in certain European countries to limit the spread of the pandemic
FCC Proposes To Fine US Telcos For Selling Location Data
Fines of more than $200m proposed for selling subscribers’ real-time location data, but critics say the penalties are little more than a slap on the wrist
Bluetooth 5.1 Delivers Pinpoint Location Accuracy
Location services boost as new spec delivers exact location data, to within one centimetre
Google Slapped With Location Tracking Lawsuit
That didn’t take long. Last week’s revelation that Google tracks users’ location even if tracking is turned off, prompts US lawsuit
Google To Patch Smart Speaker, Chromecast Location Leak Bug
The loophole could allow attack websites to determine a user’s precise location
Police Warn On Privacy Dangers Of Snapchat ‘Snap Maps’ Feature
Users – and particularly young people – may not realise Snap Maps is broadcasting their precise location whenever the app is running, say experts
US Police Don’t Need A Warrant To Track Mobile Users
Privacy setback? US appeals court rules police don’t need warrant to obtain cell tower records from mobile operators
US Tightens Mobile Phone Tracking Rules
End of the free-for-all? Search warrant now required for devices that track mobile phone locations
Apple Denies Chinese iPhone ‘National Security’ Claim
Chinese media labels the iPhone as a national security danger, but Apple vehemently denies the allegation
GPS: TechWeek Quiz Of The Week
Where would we be without GPS? Our quiz looks at the history of a technology we all rely on
Apple Acquires Canadian Startup Locationary To Boost Apple Maps – Report
Apple Maps to get more accurate local business listings according to reports
Google U-Turn Over Offline Maps Decision
In the wake of criticism, Google performs a quick u-turn over the decision to drop its offline Map function
Foursquare Gets $41m Investment Despite User Apathy
Foursquare may not be as hip as Facebook or Twitter, but VCs think location will happen one day…
Facebook Risks Fresh Privacy Row With Tracking App
Facebook is reportedly developing a mobile app that tracks your location, even when the handset is not being used
Google Earth Tour Guides Receive Major Update
Google Earth has added another 100,000 virtual tours of fascinating locations for would-be globetrotters
Google Maps For Android Goes Indoors In The UK
Feeling lost at a station or shop? Google can help, if you are in the right bulding
Wikimedia Foundation Drops Google Maps
The Wikimedia Foundation has shifted away from Google Maps to OpenStreetMap in its mobile applications, following a wider trend
Apple Pulls ‘Stalker App’ From App Store
Girls Around Me allowed users to track women on location-based services
ASA Sides With Vodafone And Apple Over Siri’s Lack Of UK Help
The ad watchdog has decided that weather details constitute sufficient support for location-based services
Smartphone Social Media Users Are Prone To Identity Theft
Smartphone owners and social media users are more likely to become victims of identity theft, claims Javelin Strategy
ICO Warns Of Location Privacy Issues
The ICO used a speech this week to warn that attention must be paid to individual’s location privacy
Facebook Buys Gowalla For Location Sharing
Facebook has acquired location sharing service provider Gowalla, a key competitor to FourSquare
Sensewhere’s ‘Crowdsourced’ Indoor Nav App
Sensewhere has launched a self-correcting global positioning system (GPS) – that works indoors
Google: Why Is Wi-Fi Location Opt-Out, Not Opt-In?
Opting out of Google’s Wi-Fi location system for privacy is not easy. Wayne Rash says it should have been an opt-in system
Security Is Draining Down The Plughole Of Privacy
Little by little we are giving up our privacy and with it security ebbs away without us realising what we are losing, warns Eric Doyle
Microsoft Publishes Code For Wi-Fi Data Collection
Microsoft has published the code for its Wi-Fi data collection software, in a bid to avoid Google’s WiSpy mistake