I think you all remember the scandal locationgate in which Apple was accused of storing data on users' locations, data that can be easily accessed by others. Now the scandal is coming back, but this time Google is drawing everyone's attention and the problem is much more serious. It seems that when we use Google Maps, our iDevices and Macs transmit to Google servers the MAC of our terminals or other identification IDs of the components. Now if Google kept the information secret there would be no problem, but Google allows access to this data by anyone and using it a Mac/iDevice can be located with a precision of approximately 100m.
American company Skyhoo wireless tested the system those from Google and using an identification ID of some laptops he managed to locate them on Google Maps without the slightest problem even though the respective products did not have built-in GPS. Now anyone who has the MAC address of your iDevice/Mac could use the system of Google and Google Maps to locate your device and implicitly you anywhere and anytime. Of course, the location can only be done if you are connected to the Internet, because without a GPS the service has no other way to work. In the tests carried out by the company, approximately 10% of the verified products were found using Google Maps and the public location service, but of course they also knew the IDs of the respective products.
The good part is that if someone steals your Mac/iDevice you can find it as soon as it connects to the internet, the bad part is that anyone can locate you. In the end, Google is a kind of "big brother" that controls everything.
