Our phones have a knack of sharing more about our lives even after we think we've asked it not to — especially tracking your exact location. There is a lot to consider when sharing your location, and there is still a lot to think about even when you want this feature turned off.
It is common for people to think that they have switched off and blocked location sharing only to find out that they are still being tracked somehow. That's why we're going over all the ways for you to be sure you aren't accidentally sharing information that you do not want to.
However, before you turn off location sharing to everything on your devices, you need to know the consequences of doing so. That's because several applications use your location services, like location-based apps, which include your map, navigation, photo, weather and fitness apps.
Also, your browser uses your location to provide relevant search results. In addition, emergency services could be affected if you turn off location sharing. In fact, your location may not be automatically shared with emergency services, which could delay response times or make it difficult for emergency personnel to find you.
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Even if you think you have turned your location-sharing settings off, there is still a chance you are being tracked.
This is because you are not only tracked by your devices themselves. It is also possible for you to be tracked by the apps you use and the websites you visit.
You can also still be tracked if you have turned off location sharing on your smartphone yet forgot to disable it on your iPad. You need to factor in all the different ways that your devices have of keeping tabs on where you are.
One way you can start is if you have a Google account. This account might have a history of the devices that are tracking you.
To check your location history via your Google account, follow these steps on your Mac or PC.
Google Account
Any devices tracking you will be listed. If you do not want this, select Turn off
Note: Your location might still be logged by your mobile devices by the Find My Device service that helps you recover lost hardware and by Google Maps when you're navigating or searching around the area you're in.
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You can still navigate to other places where your location gets logged and shared on Google as well. To turn off location data saved by Google Maps and other apps and websites:
And if you wish to stop sharing your location with any contacts of yours via Google:
Once you see how Google tracks your every move and location, you may want to consider turning this feature off. If you have an iPhone or Android and want to check your location history via your Google account:
To turn off location data saved by Google Maps and other apps and websites on your iPhone or Android:
And if you wish to stop sharing your location with any contacts of yours via Google on your iPhone or Android:
Tap Location Sharing to see if you are sharing your location with anyone and turn the feature off if you wish to stop
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Start with these steps:
You will also notice a list of apps underneath the Share My Location option. Each app will state how often it tracks your location, with the options being Never, Ask Next Time of When I Share, or While Using the App. Click on each app and select Never if you do not want the app tracking you. Also, make sure that the Precise Location within each app is turned off
A list of apps that you have permitted to track your activity will appear here. You can turn off ones that have no use tracking you by toggling off, like Twitter or Instagram. However, apps that actively use location services like Uber and Door Dash should be left on so that you can be located when using them.
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If you want to completely turn off location tracking, do the following:
If you disable location services, be aware of a few limitations:
What is your decision on whether to turn off location sharing? Let us know your thoughts. We'd love to hear from you.
For more of my tips, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by clicking the "Free newsletter" link at the top of my website.
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At least two dozen Air Force jets across at least five aircraft fleets reportedly were found to have potentially problematic tail pins.
The E-3 Sentry aerial target tracking planes, airborne warning and control system planes, became the latest to undergo inspection for subpar tail pins, according to the Military Times. Citing the Air Force's Air Combat Command, the branch did not say how many would need replacement parts.
"The E-3 System Program Office, in conjunction with ACC, released an Immediate Action Time Compliance Technical Order (TCTO) March 1, directing the inspection of all E-3 aircraft for non-conforming vertical stabilizer pins. The TCTO required inspections be complete prior to next flight," Air Force spokesperson Capt. Laura Hayden told Fox News Digital in an email Friday.
She explained that all E-3 aircraft in the field have been inspected in accordance with the TCTO and that the Air Force continues to execute operational and training missions.
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"The only aircraft still requiring inspection are in depot maintenance and will be inspected before leaving the depot facility," Hayden added. "No mishaps have occurred as a result of non-conforming pins."
The fleet are spread across Tinker Air Force Base, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson and Japan's Kadena Air Base.
The Air Force says NATO has 17 E-3A's and support equipment.
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The publication noted the aircraft's "vertical terminal fitting pins" are the problem; they help attach the tail fin to the rest of the fuselage, giving pilots control over a plane while turning.
As of Valentine's Day, the Air Force Times previously reported, 24 of the 90 KC-135 Stratotankers that were inspected had noncompliant pins.
A new online travel tool is helping you save money and use loyalty points much more easily to book your next stay around the world.
I love travel. I love planning a trip. What I do not love is going from one hotel program and credit card points account to see how I might want to use points instead of shelling out money for a stay. For most people, it gets messy chasing down points balances then comparing available points stays against paying or a combination of both.
Enter the Awayz website that takes on the travel tasks in seconds to figure out which points can be used and whether an upcoming stay is worth cashing in those valuable points or paying for it.
The company Odynn is behind the awards-optimization platform. It promises to maximize your awards with the absolute best deals on the places you want to stay.
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Awayz is a live cash and award pricer that helps you make your travel planning easy.
It gives you the option to either spend or redeem your rewards wisely by displaying the best value in both cash and points for over 15,000 Hilton, Marriott, Hyatt and IHG hotels across the globe in every search.
You can get independently valued loyalty programs, because Awayz uses a side-by-side comparison of cash and points pricing.
All booking recommendations are based on your award balances and credit cards. Each person is shown a pricing breakdown of their hotel and bank points, so they know how much to redeem from the respective programs for any given stay.
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It will even allow you to look at award availability in calendar view, which highlights dates with potential free nights and the lowest points or cash price offered.
There is a free option for using Awayz, which offers live cash and award pricing as well as award availability. However, to get some of the other more exciting features, you will need a subscription.
There is the Gold plan which offers users the two features from the free plan as well as hotel free night certificates, 4th/5th night free, calendar view (7 Day) and hotel deal alerts. This plan costs $4.17 per month after a 5-day free trial.
With the Platinum plan, you get all the Free and Gold plan features, plus personal recommendations based on hotel and bank transferable program balances and credit cards in your wallet. You also get a 30-day view of the calendar and individual hotel searches. This plan costs $8.33 per month after a 5-day free trial.
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You can sign up for a free or premium plan by going to the Awayz main page and clicking the green SIGN UP button in the top right-hand corner. You just have to give your name and email and create a password to sign up, and then choose which subscription plan you want.
Once you have your account, you will be redirected to a page where you can start planning your trip.
Enter the details of your trip, including the location, the dates you will travel and which hotels you want search results for. You can also decide whether you want options to come up based on price, points value, or distance from the center.
Once finished, you can click the green search button and a list of options will appear for you to pick from.
Once you choose one, you will be led to a follow-up page with the details of what you choose and where you can go to book your trip.
Have you tried using Awayz yet? Let us know your favorite travel secrets.
For more of my tips, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by clicking the "Free newsletter" link at the top of my website.
Copyright 2023 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved. CyberGuy.com articles and content may contain affiliate links that earn a commission when purchases are made.
