Control access point inclusion in Google's Location services - Google Maps Help
support.google.com
To improve Location services and estimate the location of a device, Google uses publicly broadcast Wi-Fi information from wireless access points and GPS, cell tower, and sensor data. This data is limi

cross-posted from: https://infosec.pub/post/51680197

Append “_nomap” to the end of your SSIDs to instruct Google not to use your wi-fi access point for their mapping services.

To do the same for Apple, add “_optout” to the end of your SSIDs¹.

To boycott both, the rumor is that Google’s “_nomap” must be last, but Apple’s “_optout” flag must be in the penultimate position if and only if Google’s token is at the end. So you might have an SSID like “boycottCloudflare_optout_nomap” to boycott the baddies, for example. But note that “boycottCloudflare” is merely symbolic, to raise awareness of the web’s most harmful enshitifier.

¹ sorry to say I have no reference to cite for the Apple rules. It’s just a rumor.

update

The Apple opt-out procedure has apparently changed to align with Google. Someone refers to this page for Apple.

update 2

Mapquest is suddenly gaining popularity.

  • brackled@lemmy.worldEnglish
    50·
    5 days ago

    It is such bullshit that this is even opt out. The level of non-consensual data gathering is infuriating and disappointing.

    • einkorn@feddit.orgEnglish
      12·
      5 days ago

      On the one hand I can understand it. Default wireless settings amount to your router screaming “I AM HERE, YOU CONNECTIONLESS IDIOTS” down the whole street. Simply writing this information down that is constantly broadcasted by your device is not an inherently bad thing to do.

      But yes, connecting all these hundreds of dots across multiple devices, systems and whatnot is where it gets terrifying. Just like HTTP, WLAN protocols have not been developed with security as a top priority. They are simply not made to protect from tech-surveillance companies. They are meant as utilities for everyone to share freely.

    • Davel23@fedia.io
      6·
      5 days ago

      You’re not wrong, but in this one instance you’re not entirely right, either. If your SSID is set to broadcast then you’re sending it out there for anyone to see and use however they see fit. You’re basically opting in by that alone. The fact that most WIFI routers are set to broadcast by default and most users have no idea how to change it is another argument entirely.

      • daveyOsborn@infosec.pubOPEnglish
        10·
        5 days ago

        Apple seems to say hiding your SSID will not protect you:

        “This opt-out doesn’t work for hidden networks because they make their network name available only to known devices, so other devices can’t detect “_nomap.””

        So IIUC, if you hide your SSID and an Apple spy (read: normal iOS user) connects to it, their device will ignore the _nomap token and report your AP to the mothership. And note as well that a hidden SSID only makes your AP invisible in the absence of traffic. iOS devices can probably see and process traffic that happens to be in motion when they are in range.