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.

  • one_old_coder@piefed.socialEnglish
    33·
    1 month ago

    I’m sure Google will respect that insignificant detail. It reminds me of the h4x0r forums in the late 90s where people were appending their post with “I forbid you to read my messages if you’re working for the FBI.”

    • daveyOsborn@infosec.pubOP
      42·
      1 month ago

      Did you follow the link? It’s Google’s own policy.

      I’m not seeing a good case here for not putting Google in a position of violating their own legally binding terms.

      • Bismyth@piefed.socialEnglish
        32·
        1 month ago

        It’s cheaper for Google to pay a fine for breaking the law than it is for them to follow it

        • daveyOsborn@infosec.pubOP
          21·
          1 month ago

          No it’s not. You have overestimated the value of your wi-fi radio to Google by far. The value of tracking what, a dozen or so opt-out SSIDs per country or so is far more negligable than whatever penalty they would pay. Your SSID squawks aren’t worth that much.

    • daveyOsborn@infosec.pubOP
      4·
      1 month ago

      Not to use what? Wi-fi? Of course, if you have no need for an access point, not having one is the best case.

        • daveyOsborn@infosec.pubOP
          5·
          1 month ago

          The SSID harvesting is not for you. It’s for all of Google and Apple’s users who travel within range of your wi-fi radios. If you are squaking an SSID without opt-out flags, you’re helping Google and Apple regardless of whatever else you do.

          • HubertManne@piefed.socialEnglish
            4·
            1 month ago

            oh. oh. you know my brain changed it to url as I assumed it was something to append to have your map not show it.