Did you know that in order to function, navigation applications don’t actually need to keep your data or monitor your location? There are other options if you don’t want Google Maps to be known for seeking methods to covertly follow your every step. There are map applications available that respect your privacy.(privacy focused Google Maps)
Why Google Maps is unreliable
Google got caught in the act in 2018. They had said that users could “alter, delete, or turn it off at any moment” and had complete control over their location history. Google neglected to explain that they continue to track users’ whereabouts using different methods.
Only a chronology of your daily movements is prevented by turning off location data in Google. Your location can still be monitored if you don’t disable another function called Web & App activity, which is buried in your settings.
Each time you launch a Google app, such as Maps, Search, or any other Google service, timestamps are sent back to the company, which allows them to generate a precise map of your movements. By visiting the My Activity page, you may locate and manually erase these data. (Click on “Delete activity by,” then from the drop-down box, select “All time”).
Then, using this information along with your current user profile, personalized advertising are shown to you. It is not surprising that Google retained some secrets in order to continue doing what they do best as this sort of data is incredibly useful to them.
The top Google Maps substitutes
There are navigation programs that you can use offline and that don’t monitor your location, which is wonderful news. But as a result, their usefulness will be constrained and the instructions could not be as precise. Even so, you might still need to give over some of your data in order to access their services. The majority of them will ask for all or part of the following details:
.You created your account using personal information. If you ever need to talk with customer service, you may need to provide this since it may be needed by law;
Your IP address and device model, which will be used to build apps;
.Your primary location (either explicitly input or deduced from your IP address) to display search results in the nation and language that you are now in;
the use of cookie-collected data for marketing analysis;
.They use behavioral information, such as your favorite locations, to serve you with relevant adverts.
You nearly never use a navigation app without some kind of data. However, it’s up to you to pick an app that is reliable and open about collecting data. There are applications available that allow you the choice to restrict data acquisition rather than collecting it secretly. Check out some of the top Google Maps substitutes, some of which value your privacy considerably more.
waze
Pros:
crowdsourced information
social features like route sharing and carpooling
gives real-time traffic information
Cons:
belongs to Google
has a history of weaknesses
Waze is a well-liked map program that offers a variety of extra features that have helped it become a highly popular Google Maps substitute. The feature that lets people report speed cameras has been particularly popular.
We’re sorry but we can’t endorse Waze. The fact that Waze is owned by Google is one of the most important problems. From a privacy perspective, it isn’t truly a Google Maps alternative at all as the privacy policy allows Google to do almost anything with users’ data. Researchers in cybersecurity have also cited instances when user information from Waze, including location information, may have been susceptible to hackers.
Apple Maps
Pros:
lovely design
has most of the functionality users would expect from other popular map programs like Google Maps
An design that prioritizes privacy
cons:
only available on Apple devices
The Apple Maps app lives up to Apple’s stellar reputation for superior design and powerful capabilities. Along with the standard features you’d anticipate from a top-notch map software, such traffic information and areas of interest, it also fully utilizes Apple’s Siri speech capability. Its exclusivity to the Apple ecosystem is a significant negative shared by many Apple goods.
Apple is known for preserving data privacy in addition to having superb design (although they are not flawless in this regard). End-to-end encryption is used for settings syncing across the user’s devices, and Apple asserts that when a user utilizes a particular function, no data is gathered that hasn’t been voluntarily provided by the user.
MapQuest
Pros:
historical mapping product
has special characteristics that set it apart from Google Maps
Cons:
lacking knowledge about reputation and privacy practices
some have called it a dead or fading map app
MaqQuest has been around about as long as Google Maps has, but they’ve experienced far less success – perhaps because they don’t have the powerful inter-service features that Google can offer. Most users report that MapQuest also has weaker pathfinding capabilities than Google Maps when it comes to directions, but it does offer interesting features that some users may appreciate, like one-click navigation to nearby points of interest, gas price estimate for your route, and local temperature readouts.
From a privacy standpoint, the information on MapQuest’s privacy practices is scant. MapQuest does make money by offering special features to businesses, so there’s room to assume that data may not be the apps’ primary business model. Therefore, it is unclear if MapQuest makes for a good Google Maps alternative.(privacy focused Google Maps)
HERE WeGo
Pros:
an enormous database of sites of interest
has offline maps available for download for 200 different nations.
gives real-time traffic information
Timestamps used for navigation are removed after your session is over.
respects the norms and regulations of the GDPR
cons:
less recent than Google Maps
This navigation software was created by Nokia and is currently owned by renowned automakers Audi, BMW, and Daimler. It includes many fantastic features that Google Maps does not have. Its ‘Places’ component, which has a big database of sites of interest including restaurants, amusement parks, petrol stations, ATMs, pharmacies, and hotels, sets it apart from the competition.
HERE Your data is safe with WeGo since it complies with GDPR standards and regulations. It’s also a good idea to be aware that the places you visit, your GPS position, and the timestamps used to give you with instructions are never connected to your account and are immediately removed when your session ends. It employs behavioral advertising, much as Google does, but you can simply modify these settings so that the advertisements you see won’t profile you.
Maps.Me
Pros:
designed to function offline and deliver outcomes in 345 nations
enables you to share your location and hiking paths with pals.
Interest points are organized and simple to peruse.
an open-source system
using the OpenStreetMap database.
respects the norms and regulations of the GDPR (EU customers only)
cons:
offers location-based advertisements
For people who want an offline maps service with lots of sites of interest, Maps.Me is a fantastic choice. This software offers you search results and instructions in 345 nations and islands while being automatically kept offline. One of the few maps that depicts hiking pathways is this one. Additionally, you may bookmark and tell pals where you are. The online version offers directions for using bicycles, public transportation, and traffic. As an open source platform using data from OpenStreetMap, anybody may look for vulnerabilities and contribute to making Maps.Me more secure.
Sadly, Maps.Me does utilize your location information to show you relevant advertisements and places of interest. However, they only use that information to serve you adverts, and they do not divulge any personally identifying information to third parties. Additionally, the app offers privacy policies for both EU and non-EU users, with the former adhering to GDPR guidelines. This means that if you live in the EU, you may ask app developers to provide you the information they have about you and request that they erase it.(privacy focused Google Maps)
OsmAnd
Pros:
uses map data from OpenStreetMaps
Strong privacy procedures and a business strategy that doesn’t share data
Excellent and distinctive characteristics, such as an offline mode
respects the norms and regulations of the GDPR
Some users have complained about slow speed and lengthy load times for free.
cons:
the app’s version
OsmAnd is one of the top Google Maps competitors that prioritizes privacy. Additionally, they provide great add-on features that consumers can find useful. You can download map data for certain locations on your phone so you don’t need to use data to navigate. This is a huge one for people who want to save on data bills or go in isolated areas. OsmAnd employs user-updated OpenStreetMaps, therefore pathfinding occasionally outperforms that of Google Maps.
OsmAnd advertises its respect for user privacy and uses a freemium business model, which means it charges customers for a more feature-rich premium version. This is fantastic news since it implies they can survive without having to rely on selling user data.
CityMapper
Pros:
specialized tool for planning city transportation
gathers information from city administrations to keep current information
incorporates user-friendly third-party transportation services
Cons:
Use cases outside of supported cities are restricted by specialized features.
Not every city is backed
shares information, such as location information, with a lot of different parties
CityMapper is a specialized app that offers public transportation data to users. Enter two locations in your city and it’ll offer a number of different ways to get their using various modes of city transportation. This makes its use cases more specific than most of the apps on this list, but it does excel at what it does.
Unfortunately, CityMapper is not a viable Google Maps alternative from a privacy standpoint. They share your data with certain ride providers and city services to enable in-app ride planning, which is to be expected. However, they also share partially de-personalized data, including your location, with Google and other search services. As such, this app is no improvement from a privacy standpoint.(privacy focused Google Maps)
OpenStreetMap
Pros:
not using behavioral advertisements
An international network of volunteers provides map data.
easy to understand and utilize
possesses an offline mode
respects the norms and regulations of the GDPR
cons:
does not accept additions made anonymously to the map.
Wikipedia served as an inspiration for the nonprofit navigation system OpenStreetMap. The program employs the idea of “open data,” which allows anyone to alter the maps from anywhere in the globe and uses ground surveys, GPS devices, and webcams to gather all of the data. You may easily add something missing from the map yourself and leave a message for other users if you find it.
It doesn’t have any fancy features, but if you want a simple software that can give you quick directions for driving, cycling, and walking, it’s fine. Additionally, you may easily click on a specific building to view its address if you’re trying to find it.
The service and app updates are managed by a few third parties with whom the app collaborates. Fortunately, they are all governed by EU law and adhere to GDPR requirements. Your private information is only accessible to system administrators and will never be shared with any of them. After 180 days, IP addresses and other data are removed.(privacy focused Google Maps)
Sygic Maps
Another excellent program that is completely free to use and provides all the features you could possibly need, including offline mode and traffic information, is Sygic Maps. Sygic will display parking place recommendations, lane advice, speed limit alerts, and road closures if you use it for navigation. GPS navigation is even available offline. Be aware that some of these features can be restricted to Premium subscribers only.(privacy focused Google Maps)
When it comes to data storage, Sygic has tight guidelines as well. When you uninstall the program, they immediately destroy your data. Additional deadlines include:
.After three months, data used to develop the program is removed.
.After one year, security and system logs are removed.
.After three years, security backups are removed.
Conclusion
Given its widespread use, Google Maps is a simple and obvious initial option for most people. But there are a ton of private mapping applications available if you simply do a little Googling. These Google Maps alternatives will not only protect your privacy and security, but it’s also possible that one of them has capabilities you didn’t even realize you needed. Try one of them out to see whether it’s the correct choice for you.
