How To Opt Your Network out of Google’s Geolocation Services

At a Glance

Google has long used WiFi information from home and business WiFi access points to improve its location services. Unfortunately, this violation of your privacy is on an opt-out basis, so you must take action to disallow Google from doing this.

In this article, I’ll tell you why Google uses your WiFi access point, and what steps you can take to tell the search giant not to use your WiFi.

Why Does Google Use My WiFi Network To Improve Their Location Services?

Google maintains a detailed map showing known WiFi networks and wireless access points. By tracking the exact location of these networks, it can determine your proximity to them. These location services can evaluate your location within roughly 30 feet.

Google has used this method of determining its users for years and it is more accurate in many cases than satellite-based GPS technology, which can be affected by cloud cover, buildings, and other obstructions. It also helps Google track your location when you’re using an older smartphone or computer, which might not have GPS built in. Plus, WiFi networks in homes and businesses tend to remain stationary, making them a reliable indicator of users’ locations.

Any time a GPS-enabled Android smartphone or tablet connects to your router’s signal, it allows the company to pinpoint and store that location on its servers.

This WiFi-based location mapping can be useful, as it allows Google to quickly and accurately pinpoint its users’ locations, even if they have GPS switched off. However, if this location gets into the wrong hands it is a serious privacy concern.

How to Prevent Google From Using Your WiFi Router or Access Point for Geolocation Services

Configure Your Router or Access Point To Not Broadcast Its SSID

One way to prevent Google from using your WiFi router or access point is to set it to not broadcast its SSID (that’s the name you use to identify your network, something like “NachoWiFi”). If your WiFi network isn’t broadcasting its name, Google can’t see it, and you can’t connect to what you can’t see.

Unfortunately, that makes it tougher to connect new devices to your network, as you’ll need to manually enter the name of the network, as well as the password, any time your family or friends want to connect to it. Luckily, there is a more convenient way to tell Google hands off on your router or access point.

Rename Your Access Point To Tell Google To Ignore It

You can also change the SSID (network name) of your WiFi access point to let Google know that it shouldn’t use it for geolocation services. All you need to do is to add “_nomap” to the end of its name. So, if your network is named “NachoWiFi”, all you need to do is add “_nomap” to the end of the name. For example, your router/access point will now be named “NachoWiFi_nomap.” (Although it does kind of ruin the joke.)

Use These General Steps To Rename Your WiFi Router or Access Point

While the instructions for changing the SSID of a router or access point can differ from manufacturer to manufacturer, the following instructions provide the general renaming steps.

For more information about renaming an SSID for your router make and model, visit the manufacturer’s website. The make and model of the router should either be on the back or the underside of the router or access point. In many cases, the URL for the manufacturer’s site will also be provided. If not, Google it.

1. Connect to your router or access point and find the default gateway of your connection:

• On Windows, type “ipconfig” into the command prompt.
• On Mac OS, type “ifconfig” into the Terminal window.
• On Linux, type “ifconfig” into the command prompt.

2. After you have the default gateway’s IP address (it is usually 192.168.0.1 or 10.0.0.1 by default, although the IP address used depends on the manufacturer), type the default gateway address into the address bar of your web browser.
3. You’ll need to enter your administrator username and password, then you should be taken to the control panel for your access point.
4. Look for the administrative menu for your router and find the SSID and add “_nomap” to the name.
5. To help make sure that your changed SSID is submitted to Google quickly (so it knows to remove it from its database), open Google Maps on a device that is connected to your WiFi network. To establish a location fix near your WiFi access point, tap “My location.”

Will My WiFi Network Be Removed From Other Location Service Providers?

Not necessarily, no. Each location service provider uses different methods of having users opt out. While Google has encouraged other companies to respect the “_nomap” addition to a network’s name to drop users from their databases, it is up to the individual provider to do so.

Why Should I Opt Out of Google Using My WiFi Network for Geolocation Services?

There are several reasons to opt out of Google using your access point for geolocation services. Arguably, the most important reason is to protect your privacy, as well as protecting you against attacks from bad actors that could use the Google geolocation information to perform attacks against your Internet of Things (IoT) devices, like security cams, doorbells, and even your refrigerator.

Does that sound a bit paranoid? Well, in my humble opinion, we could all be a bit more paranoid when it comes to things like online privacy and security.

In 2018, a bug was discovered in Google Home and Chromecast devices that could allow a malicious website to potentially uncover your exact geographical location. Using a simple script, a website could collect exact location data from these devices.

A site could request a list of nearby devices from the Google device on your WiFi network, which could then be sent to Google’s geolocation lookup services to pinpoint your location.

A bad actor could then use your location information to help them better target attacks, like phishing or ad scam attacks, or other fake warnings and malicious attacks. It could even help bad actors with extortion or blackmail attempts.

While Google originally said this issue was an “intended behavior,” no one really bought that and Google agreed to fix the security flaw.

PRO TIP: If possible, keep your Internet of Things devices on a separate network from the one you use for your computers, smartphones, and tablets to browse the web or work from home. This will help minimize the chances of a malicious website gaining access to that network and your personal information.

In Closing

If you don’t want your WiFi router or access point to be included in Google’s geolocation database it‘s easy to get them to remove it and not add it back. Keep in mind that this doesn’t necessarily mean other companies that provide geolocation services will respect your wishes, but it’s a good step forward when you’re protecting your privacy.