Google Chrome on Android now lets you block precise location tracking on websites. Users can grant sites access to approximate location data instead of their exact GPS coordinates.
The feature works by allowing Android users to choose "approximate" location permission rather than "precise" when visiting a website. This gives websites enough information to deliver location-based services, like local weather or nearby restaurants, without exposing your exact address or movements.
Privacy researcher and child safety expert Joan Donovan explains that location data represents one of the most invasive tracking methods available. "Kids especially are vulnerable to location tracking since they don't always understand the implications," Donovan noted in previous research on youth privacy. This Chrome update directly addresses that risk.
The feature mirrors similar privacy controls Apple introduced on iOS years ago. Android's operating system has supported approximate location permissions since Android 12, but Chrome's integration makes the feature more accessible to everyday users who may not know to dig into Android settings.
For parents, this matters because many popular apps and websites track children's locations. Gaming apps, social platforms, and map services collect this data to build advertising profiles. Approximate location reduces that tracking surface while preserving functionality.
Implementing the feature is straightforward. When a website requests location access, Android users now see a permissions prompt offering three choices: "Allow," "Allow approximate location," or "Don't allow." Selecting approximate keeps websites from knowing your precise movements.
Google rolled out this update gradually across Android devices running Chrome. If you don't see the option yet, update Chrome through the Google Play Store. The feature works on Android 6.0 and newer versions.
Parents managing children's device privacy will find this control useful alongside other Chrome privacy settings like blocking third-party cookies and disabling ad personalization. Combined with parental monitoring apps and regular conversations about online safety, approximate location sharing creates another layer of protection against unwanted tracking.