Why Even If You Use a VPN, Many Apps Will Still Be Able to See Your Location
Having a VPN is very common nowadays. You can install it on your computer or mobile phone. It encrypts the connection and hides the navigation. However, it does not always work well and does not always meet our expectations. In this article, we will talk to you about why, even if you use a VPN, many applications will know where you are and will not be able to hide that information.
When you use a VPN, you connect to an external server that may be hosted in another country. This can help you change the location you are connecting from. It can be useful for accessing certain services that may be geo-blocked. For example, there are web pages or programs that don’t work in certain countries.
Although when using a VPN, the connection is encrypted, including your IP address, it is not the only thing that will determine your location. Another very important element is your device’s GPS. A VPN can be used to trick services that only use your IP address to determine your location, and not other services that may use other methods.
Keep in mind that your cell phone has a GPS. Many apps use coordinates to function properly. For example, a weather app. It receives that information and shows you the temperature in the city you are in, for example. Even if you connect via a VPN, they can still get your location information.
Basically, we can say that using a VPN will not change the GPS data that your device shares with the apps or services you use. So, they are a good option to know where you are at all times.
But they have another trick, which is to use nearby Wi-Fi networks. Access points have a unique MAC address, just like any device you use to connect to the network. This is transmitted to nearby devices. The devices will discover these networks, even if they are not connected.
This way, even if you disable GPS and use a VPN, they can use this third method to find out your location, even if it's approximate. Not all apps will have this ability, but the possibility is there.
There is also an option that allows Bluetooth, as well as nearby devices, to determine your location. Devices can transmit location in this way to allow certain functions. For example, at an airport, there may be small Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) devices, also known as beacons, which can then determine your location.
In short, while it’s interesting to use a good VPN to hide your location by encrypting your IP address, it doesn’t mean that apps can’t see your real location through other methods. As you’ve seen, there are different alternatives you can use.
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