How Location Accuracy improves location

When Location Accuracy is on for your Android device, data that is collected and processed by Google can use information about:

• Wireless signals, like:
  • Wi-Fi access points
  • Cell network towers
  • GPS
• Device sensor data, like:
  • Accelerometer
  • Gyroscope
  • Barometer data

• IP address
• Device model
• Setting preferences

To improve location accuracy and location-based services:

When Location Accuracy is on for your Android device, Location Accuracy data is used to improve location accuracy and location-based services in Google and third party apps and services with the required permissions. Location Accuracy helps your device figure out its location more quickly and accurately than GPS and device sensors alone. This is helpful when your device can’t use GPS, like inside buildings.

This more accurate location is provided through APIs that Google and third party apps that you give permission to. This allows them to use location-relevant features and functionality.

To do this, we:

• Periodically collect Location Accuracy data when Location Accuracy is on. To keep your information private, Google collects the data with a randomly-assigned, temporary, rotating identifier that isn’t associated with a specific person or account and that’s deleted within 7 days. These identifiers automatically and regularly change. For more information on storage and retention, go to Privacy Policy.
• Verify, using the random, temporary, rotating identifier, that the Location Accuracy data collections over a period were collected from the same device, which helps to make sure representative and sufficient collection and allows us to delete certain data points originating from the same device. The use of the random, temporary, rotating identifier, and deletion of certain data points prevent you from being identified from the collected data.
• Use Location Accuracy data without identifying specific individuals to build and maintain a crowdsourced database of wireless signal locations that. Android devices are used to help determine a more accurate device location.
• Log usage metrics to troubleshoot issues with data collection, usage, and performance.

Even if Location Accuracy is off, emergency services features, like Emergency Location Service, can still use Location Accuracy to provide you with critical services. Specifically, when you make emergency calls or send emergency texts, your device will provide the most accurate location available to emergency responders so they can assist you quickly even if Location Accuracy is off. No location or Location Accuracy data is collected by Google in such a scenario.

To provide, maintain, and improve our services to meet the needs of our users:

When Location Accuracy is on for your Android device, Location Accuracy data is used to provide, maintain, and improve our services to meet the needs of our users. For example, Location Accuracy data is used to develop, provide, and improve location-based products and services, like earthquake detection and road traffic.

Location Accuracy data is also used to validate the accuracy of maps-based information, like building entrances or routing directions.

To do this, we:

• Periodically collect and process Location Accuracy data when Location Accuracy is on to build crowdsourced databases of wireless signal and general IP address locations as described above.
• Use this information to confirm and improve the quality and accuracy of location-based features expected by users. Then, we use this data in our products without identifying anyone.
• Log usage metrics to troubleshoot issues with data collection, usage, and performance.

The processing of Location Accuracy data for the above purposes is necessary for the following legitimate interests:

The legitimate interest of Google in:

• Providing, maintaining, and improving our services to meet the needs of all of our users, including those who utilize apps and services on their Android devices requiring reliable and accurate location, and of understanding how people use our services to improve the performance of our services.

The legitimate interest of other users in:

• Google providing, maintaining, and improving our services to meet the needs of all our users, including those who utilize apps and services on their Android devices requiring reliable and accurate location, and of our understanding how people use our services to improve the performance of our services in a manner that allows users to realize the benefits of a crowdsourced database.

The legitimate interest of third party developers in:

• Using computed device location, with necessary permission and as improved by Location Accuracy, for providing, maintaining, and improving their apps and services to meet the needs of their own users who utilize those apps and services on Android devices requiring reliable and accurate location.

Google Play services for Location Accuracy might use device permissions, like your location, which may be accessed periodically. This includes in the background, to improve the accuracy of your location as described above. Learn how Google Play services can use your location.