Google updates Chrome on Android with approximate location sharing to balance privacy and utility

Google has announced that the Chrome app on Android will now allow users to share their approximate location with websites instead of their precise GPS coordinates. This update is designed to balance privacy with utility, enabling general queries like weather updates without revealing exact positions, while still permitting precise data sharing when required.

The new feature grants users flexibility to choose between approximate and precise location data on a per-website basis. Google states that this capability prevents the need to share exact coordinates for general information requests, though users retain the option to share precise location data if a specific site requires it for functionality.

Concurrently, Google is introducing new APIs that allow developers to specify exactly what type of location data their sites require. A Google representative emphasised that developers are encouraged to review their location needs and only ask for precise location data when it is strictly required for site functionality.

The approximate location sharing feature is scheduled to roll out to desktop Chrome within the coming months. While the exact timeline is not specified beyond this general timeframe, the update marks a significant step in extending privacy controls across the browser ecosystem beyond mobile devices.

It remains unclear what specific plans Google has for implementing approximate location sharing on Chrome for iOS. However, iPhone and iPad users have had the option to enable approximate location data for specific apps for several years, though this does not offer the same granular control for individual websites as the new Android feature.

The source material describes the announcement as a minor privacy win for Android users, noting that the change offers a useful option for those concerned about privacy without sacrificing the ability to access general local information.