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Google Maps is a type of cellular purposes most of us have used at one level. It is fashionable for a motive: it really does what it is imagined to, and it is free.
However Google Maps nonetheless comes with a value. The app is infamous for gathering an incredible quantity of consumer information, a lot in order that Google has confronted critical strain from regulators around the globe to switch it.
The excellent news is, there are different related apps that truly respect your privateness and will not compromise your safety. Listed below are 5 alternate options you could possibly check out.
1. OsmAnd
OsmAnd is somewhat distinctive, so far as navigation software program goes. For a begin, it is open-source. The app additionally works utterly offline, which does not simply save customers from roaming expenses when overseas, but additionally ensures higher safety and privateness.
The maps on OsmAnd are recurrently up to date, whereas the app itself has a number of helpful options, reminiscent of voice steerage, site visitors warnings, re-routing, and extra. It additionally has foot and mountaineering trails, in addition to biking paths, which is nice for many who take pleasure in out of doors actions.
Crucially, OsmAnd notes in its privacy policy that it doesn’t accumulate personally identifiable information. It does accumulate different kinds of information by default, however the consumer can simply modify permissions within the settings menu. This alone makes OsmAnd far safer and extra personal than Google Maps.
OsmAnd’s monetization mannequin is just not based mostly on information assortment, so the app has a premium model, or somewhat numerous completely different premium variations. Customers have the choice to subscribe on a month-to-month foundation, or make a one-time buy. With that mentioned, OsmAnd can be used totally free.
Obtain: OsmAnd for iOS | Android (Free, subscription accessible)
2. Sygic Maps
Based in 2004, Sygic is a Slovakian company that focuses on navigation software program. Its merchandise is probably not as fashionable as Google Maps, however Sygic was really one of many first corporations to supply navigation apps for smartphones.
Sygic supplies numerous navigation options, together with skilled navigation for fleets and cars—Ford, Volkswagen, Toyota, for instance, use Sygic’s merchandise. However the firm’s cellular app provides quite a bit, together with offline navigation, TripAdvisor suggestions, journey guides, and so forth.
The free model works nice, and one can argue that it’s by no means inferior to Google Maps. Nonetheless, the premium one (based mostly on a subscription mannequin) contains offline 3D maps, pace digicam alerts, real-time site visitors info, signal recognition, and even issues like info gasoline worth updates.
Sygic makes it very clear in its privacy policy what sort of information it collects, shops, and shares. And just about all private information it gathers is deleted after a sure time frame, starting from three months to a few years.
Obtain: Sygic Maps for iOS | Android (Free, subscription accessible)
3. Apple Maps
It’s a widely-known proven fact that Apple devices are safer and extra personal than these utilizing the Android working system. The identical may be mentioned for Apple’s software program merchandise, which accumulate a minuscule quantity of information examine to these developed by Google and different tech giants.
That is one of many causes Apple Maps is a much better alternative than Google Maps, should you care about defending your privateness. In reality, as the corporate states on its official website, Apple Maps solely collects private info “submitted by way of Scores & Photographs or Report an Subject.”
Apple Maps is probably not as highly effective as another related purposes, however it works simply positive and has modern, intuitive design. The issue is, in fact, the app is barely accessible on iOS units.
Nonetheless, there may be a simple workaround should you’re utilizing Android.
Should you’re on Android and need to use Apple Maps, all you should do is entry the DuckDuckGo search engine by way of your browser—DuckDuckGo’s map system is definitely powered by Apple Maps.
Obtain: Apple Maps for iOS (Free)
4. HERE WeGo
Should you’re a millennial or older, you undoubtedly bear in mind old Nokia phones—everybody owned one within the early 2000s. What most individuals do not know is that Nokia had its personal mapping software program. It went by way of a number of iterations and identify modifications through the years (it was really referred to as Nokia Maps at one level), and rebranded as HERE Maps in 2012.
In December 2015, Nokia’s HERE was bought to a consortium of German car corporations. Quickly after that, it was rebranded as HERE WeGo. The HERE WeGo app is now accessible on all main play shops, and truly does a fairly good job getting you from level A to level B.
Extra importantly, HERE WeGo respects consumer privateness in a approach Google Maps doesn’t. Unsurprisingly, it nonetheless collects some private info, however this may be disabled within the settings menu.
HERE WeGo doesn’t promote or share consumer information with third-parties with out the consumer’s specific permission, in line with its privacy policy. Plus, the app has some fascinating options Google Maps lacks, which makes it an all-around nice alternative.
Obtain: HERE WeGo for iOS | Android (Free)
5. Navmii
Navmii makes use of a mixture of synthetic intelligence, crowdsourcing, and open information to generate maps. It’s appropriate for each people and companies, and utilized by corporations reminiscent of Jaguar, Shell, Land Rover, and Philips. Navmii provides completely different options for automotive navigation, truck navigation, and cellular navigation.
Accessible on each iOS and Android platforms, the Navmii app accommodates advertisements and includes in-app purchases, which is definitely one thing to remember. Nonetheless, the overwhelming majority of options can be utilized freed from cost, so this would possibly not be a difficulty for many customers.
When it comes to information assortment, Navmii is way much less aggressive than Google Maps. As acknowledged in its privacy policy, the app collects a restricted quantity of knowledge, largely what customers explicitly comply with share. It does accumulate private information, however it doesn’t share it with third events, except required to take action by regulation.
It’s potential to opt-out of information assortment, so be sure you do this should you’re not snug with Navmii accessing your information. All in all, Navmii is a succesful mapping and navigation app that does not violate consumer privateness in a serious approach.
Obtain: Navmii for iOS | Android (Free, in-app purchases accessible)
It is Time to Ditch Google Maps
Google Maps is beneficial, highly effective, correct, and simple to make use of. However if you wish to hold your privateness, it is best to keep away from it. OsmAnd, Sygic Maps, Apple Maps, HERE WeGo, and Navmii is probably not excellent, however they’re definitely nice alternate options.
And if you would like to moreover increase your privateness, contemplate downloading different security-focused apps. Whether or not you are utilizing an iPhone or Android gadget, they will make an actual distinction.
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