Google maps is a fantastic service. That said, it’s a Google service and that means it comes with a cost of some of your privacy. Sure, you can “turn off” google services and “turn off” the options for it to track your recent trips but, there’s no way of trusting that Google is not actually still doing so just without showing you the data.

There aren’t really any great options when it comes to using a GPS navigation system because it is literally (as it is intended to be) a tracking device.

Although, when you have a gps system that isn’t connected to any other information of yours, it’s definitely a lot better than using Google maps on your phone. Having gps tracking enabled on a device that has all of your personal information on it (contacts, photos, fingerprints, conversations, bank account info, etc.), is simply thoughtless.

If you need gps to get around, have a standalone gps unit that has zero information of yours other than your location linked to it – that’s bad enough.

Cell phones were a dream come true. They allowed us to communicate from anywhere with anyone. Then came the smart phone and it had access to all of the information in the world and it fits in your pocket. At this point though, they have become a nightmare. Now they are a tracking device. They allow companies to hear everything we say and see everything we do online. They see who we hang out with, who our family members are. They know where we go to work. They have our bank account information. They have the passwords to all of our online accounts. Now they even have our fingerprints and our retina scans. They have our voice signatures as well. These corporations with this data could literally make another copy of you with all of the information that they have. All of this as a tradeoff to being able to post selfies and call your grandma. It’s disgusting.

To get away from as much of this as possible there are a few options.

With an android device we can install a custom rom that has no connection to google whatsoever. That’s definitely a great start. Some of these such as copperhead os even use sandboxing. Make sure to also deny all ‘permissions’ for apps. No reason a calculator needs your location.

Aside from this we could just make the jump back to a non-smart phone. Sadly it is actually very hard to find a phone now that doesnt have internet connection and wifi and bluetooth (all of which are security concerns). Either way having a phone that has no ties to Google, Amazon, or Facebook is a great start.

Another thing to look for would be removable batteries. If you can find a phone with an easily removable battery, you could simply take the battery out when you aren’t using the phone to keep anyone from using it to track you or collect your data. Removable batteries would also allow you to keep extra backup batteries charged and easily swap them in when yours dies.