APPLE users have been urged to consider deleting Google Maps after a report highlighted how much personal data the app collects.
The Google Maps’ Privacy Label on the App Store reveals that it can collect things like your financial infromation, contacts, browsing history and search history.
A recent Forbes article with the headline ‘Why You Suddenly Need To Delete Google Maps On Your iPhone’ has compared the privacy comparison labels of Apple Maps and Google Maps.
It highlighted how Google Maps collects a lot more data and even states that the data can be linked to your personal identity.
Apple Maps, on the other hand, collects less data and doesn’t link it your identity.
Google relies on data-driven advertising and can use the kind of information it collects to show you adverts you’ll likely be interested in.
Google told Forbes: “Google Maps is designed to protect your information.
“We provide controls to easily manage your settings and use industry-leading technologies like differential privacy to keep your data safe.
“We continue to make Google Maps the best and most accurate way to navigate and explore the world—providing rich local business information, best in class search and navigation, and helpful features like the COVID layer and live busyness information.”
Apple can cover the cost of Apple Maps with money from device sales whereas Google needs advertising to help it run Google Maps.
Some people much prefer Google Maps to Apple Maps although the latter has risen in popularity since its problem-riddled 2012 launch.
Google Maps does have an incognito mode option if you wanted to stop Google collecting the data mentioned.
However, it does limit some of the app’s functions.
Apple is said to be bringing new Maps features with its iOS 15 update.
It said: “Apple is committed to building the world’s best map, and iOS 15 takes Maps even further with brand new ways to navigate and explore.
“Users will experience significantly enhanced details in cities for neighborhoods, commercial districts, elevation, and buildings, new road colors and labels, custom-designed landmarks, and a new night-time mode with a moonlit glow.
“This is a whole new way of looking at the world through Maps.”
How to use incognito mode on Google Maps
Follow these simple steps…
Open the Google Maps app and click the profile icon in the upper right corner.
Click “Turn on incognito mode”.
It will limit some functions for you.
Your search history won’t be saved, your location history wo’t be updated and you won’t be able to personalise Maps when using this mode
