Your location, specifically, is crucial to discerning who you are, what you do, and what you buy or might want to buy. But Google also uses this information to make money. For instance, Google uses your location to show you local search results. Tracking user activity can make certain products and services more convenient. In the US, there are few restrictions that prevent companies like Google from harvesting location data as they please, and once your information is shared, you can’t delete it or get it back.

And while Google likes to reassure you that it doesn't sell your data to third party advertisers, it doesn’t need to Google’s ad clients pay for its targeting and retargeting services, not for the data itself. The more Google knows about you, including your search history and device location, the better it can target and sell ads.

Alphabet, Google’s parent company, generated nearly $183 billion in revenue in 2020 of that, more than 80 percent came from Google’s ads business. Google is a tech company whose business model is primarily based on online advertising. Thankfully, there are ways you can disable or restrict Google’s location tracking. If you use its devices, apps, and services, Google is following your movements and noting your whereabouts in order to serve you targeted ads online. Access it at Updated September 24 to reflect ability to remotely add screen lock through Android Device Manager.This isn’t fiction, unfortunately. Updated August 7 to reflect availability of Android Device Manager. Posted by Benjamin Poiesz, Product Manager, Android There will also be an Android app to allow you to easily find and manage your devices. This service is now available on devices running Android 2.2 or above to use it, you also will need to be signed into your Google Account. If your phone can’t be recovered, or has been stolen, you can quickly and securely erase all of the data on your device. While losing your phone can be stressful, Android Device Manager can help you keep your data from ending up in the wrong hands. Protecting your personal information and data Being able to do this through the Android Device Manager means that even after you lose your phone, you’ll still be able to add a lock (or change an existing lock) to your device. Whether you’re on a phone or a tablet, a screen lock is an important security step to protect the information stored on your device, in case it accidentally gets into the wrong hands. You can also remotely add a screen lock to your device through the Android Device Manager.

Google device location