Google Chrome has rolled out a new privacy feature for Android users. Through this, users will be able to decide whether websites should get their exact location or only approximate location data should be shared.
Tech: Google Chrome has introduced a new location privacy feature for the Android platform, which will allow users to have more control over their location sharing. Now instead of providing exact GPS location to websites, users will be able to choose to share their approximate location. The company says that apart from improving privacy, this feature will also not affect services like local weather and news.
You will get more control over location sharing in Chrome
Google Chrome will now let Android users choose whether a website shows their exact location or just an estimated location. Earlier, most websites would access GPS-level data after getting location permission, even if it was not required.
According to the company, the purpose of the new feature is to improve the privacy of users and reduce unnecessary location data sharing.
Local service will be available, but not the exact location
Google says that services like local news, weather updates and area-based recommendations do not require precise location. In such cases, Chrome will only provide an approximate location data to the websites.
With this, users will continue to get the necessary local content, but their exact location will not be shared online. At the same time, users will also be able to turn on precise location access if needed for services like navigation, food delivery and finding nearby ATM or office.
New tools will also come for developers
Google said that new APIs will also be introduced for web developers in the coming time. Through these, developers will be able to decide whether an approximate location is sufficient for a feature or an exact location is required.
The company has advised developers to ask for precise location access only in cases where it is truly necessary.
Later desktop users will also get the feature
Currently this feature is being rolled out in Chrome browser for Android. Google has confirmed that it will also be made available on desktop platforms in the coming months. However, the company has not yet shared the exact date of its launch.
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