New Delhi: Google has started adding the latest privacy-aimed feature to its Chrome on Android that enables users to share their approximate location with websites rather than their exact location. This upgrade also offers users more control over how much location data websites can access while still enabling the location-based services to function normally in many cases.
This feature is similar to Android’s existing approximate location setting for applications.
Chrome users will be able to decide whether the website receives their precise location or only a broader nearby area, such as their neighborhood. The feature is being introduced first on Chrome for Android and will go on to expand to desktop browsers in the coming months.
Chrome on Android will now show users two location sharing options when the website requests access to location data, precise and approximate.
Browser will going continue to support the exact location sharing for tasks that require it, such as navigation, delivery tracking, or finding nearby services like ATMs. For websites that only going to need general location information, and the users can also choose the approximate option instead.
This might be useful for services such as local weather upgrades, regional news, or other content that does not require an exact address or GPS location.
Google’s broader push towards location privacy and offering users more transparency over data sharing. By limiting websites to approximate location access, users might be able to reduce the unnecessary tracking while continuing to use location-based features.
Rather than sharing a precise GPS point, the browser can offer only a more general area. The company also plans to unveil the latest APIs for web developers. These APIs will enable the developers to request either approximate or precise location access depending on their website’s actual need. Developers are to avoid requesting precise location unless it is necessary for the website functionality.
