Incognito Mode For Google Maps Arrives On Android

Incognito Mode for Google Maps is rolling out to Android users to prevent your search queries and real-time tracked location from being recorded onto your Google account. Engadget reports: It's not something you'll want to use all the time as some features will be disabled, and it's important to note that it doesn't turn off all tracking. The places you go won't be saved to your Location History (if you have that enabled), your searches won't be saved to your account and it won't use your information to personalize the experience. Still, you could be tracked by internet service providers, other apps, or if you're using Assistant and other Google services. Similar to incognito on Chrome, it's more useful as a depersonalized look at recommendations than as a full-fledged privacy protector, and a way to make sure that whatever you're searching for in this instance doesn't affect your recommendations later -- don't worry, we're not judging.

I wonder if the iPhone version is better or same

[SuperKendall]

I use the iPhone Google Maps version sometimes, but never logged into a Google account - I wonder if that is giving Google lees, or the same amount of data as the maps on Android with this new feature...

Re:

[drinkypoo]

If you don't log in they create a temporary profile, and then if you log in they merge it with your actual profile. They get just as much data either way.

Re:

[johnsie]

And with a google profile you get some idea of what kind of bullshit they are collecting about your boring little life. https://myactivity.google.com

Re: No thanks

[getuid()]

You should call it "free software" instead of "open source", particularly if it's the protection from corporate motives that appeals to you most.

Language changes the way people think about stuff, and you're doing your (small, but significant) contribution by calling it by its proper name.

Re: No thanks

[getuid()]

"Open source" is not free of misleading interpretations, either. It naturally means "you can look at the source code", but this is not free. In fact, this is true of poprietary software, too, often (even Windows). But you have no freedom of compiling and using a modified version.

"Free software (as in speech, not beer)" conveys the meaning mire easily. For "open source" there is no such short phrase to clarify (against) the (lack of) freedom.

Re:

[xushi]

But it looks hideous :/ the map feels like the paper based ones in the '80s. Maybe I got too accustomed to Google/Apple/Waze UI

Wat?

[BAReFO0t]

1. The look is completely configurable.
2. It looks great, what are you talking about?
3. Because we use maps for ... *looks*? Riiight. --.--

So let's conclude:
A. You put form above function.
B. You don't like to think or decide.
Are you perhaps an Apple usee?

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[AmiMoJo]

Unfortunately there are not any free software alternatives that come close to Google Maps. I wish there were, but there aren't.

As well as navigation you have information on locations like when they are busy, opening hours, contact details etc. Live traffic and public transport data makes route planning a lot better, e.g. it will tell you which bus to get on and ping when you get near the stop.

If Incognito on Chrome is for p0rn, then...

[functor0]

Incognito on Maps is for...

Re:

[Bite The Pillow]

House flipper porn.

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[johnsie]

Stalkery stuff. Either way Google still gets to collect the information. It just makes the data more exclusive to them.

Yep, it's called OpenStreetMap...

[uulbri]

Open-source, collaborative and privacy friendly.
All sort of things google has less and less understanding of what it means.

Why would I even use Google Maps?

[BAReFO0t]

OSMand is *so insanely much better*. (Mapillary even adds StreetView-like functionality.)

Sure, if I am the kind who actually likes having no power or choice ... never crosses a wireless data dead spot ... and posts his intimate life online anyway ...
But otherwise?

Where is the MapView,

[Mr. Dollar Ton]

the equivalent of WebView, in which I can plug an OSM map feature and Google Maps be gone?

Re:

[SirCowMan]

Might not be the answer you're hoping for, but it is in MicroG, which now uses OSM for mapsv2. Not quite the same as bring to pick and choose, but you can get to OSM with a weeee bit of work :)

Re:

[Mr. Dollar Ton]

Thanks, I'll look into it.

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[Mr. Dollar Ton]

Actually, they seem to have an f-droid repo, which pretty much makes them point-and-click, if not pick-and-choose, thanks.

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[SirCowMan]

Well, Google Play Services are system files.. I'm not sure how much of this is necessary, but I used a Magisk module to install MicroG, and use an Xposed module for the signature spoofing. I imagine at a minimum, root would be required to remove the Google apps in the first place. I would suggest trying it on a unlocked "old beater" phone first.

And this only makes things difficult for whom?

[eminencja]

I think the key statement is "your searches won't be saved TO YOUR ACCOUNT". They are not saved to your account, which means it is impossible FOR YOU to access them. But it does not mean that Google doesn't know.

I recently downloaded all my data (takeout.google.com) and I was surprised how little info was there. There are no recent locations, IP addresses, phone numbers, nothing. True - I do not use Android phones and I sign in only in a separate gmail-only browser instance/profile. I never search when I a