Does anyone have a recommendation for the most privacy-friendly map app (doesn’t collect or log data to accumulate routes generated, or other stuff) that can be used as a GPS when traveling in a car? And would it work off of contact information in the stock app that comes with iodé? I just use the phone, no fancy stuff in my car.
Also, if I use a VPN, I presume I have to disable it while I’m utilizing a map/GPS service since my actual location and the VPN would 99% likely be different.
Is the best option to have VPN on & location services completely off until I travel, then turn location services on for that app & disable VPN. Then, re-enable VPN once on cell service (if my provider covers cell) when I reach my destination — unless WiFi happens to be available?
Personally, I like Magic Earth and will pay $1/year (or whatever ridiculous low cost) to continue to use it.
I tested several on that list, and in my area, none where nearly as accurate as magic earth. And ME still promote a privacy-first message.
Iode made the change because iode tries to promote open source products.
Thanks for the forum link! I checked it out, and am trying one of the options from F-Droid. I’ll have to see how it works out. Would I even have to turn VPN off when using cell data to travel? or just let it be until I connect to a WiFi network again, and then check it? And I assume once I turn off location services in System Settings, there will not be location data anymore?
I swap around. Some maps can’t find locations until you type in a full address & sometimes you cant even do that if it is a new road. Try a variety.
I use Magic Earth, Here We Go, & Scout. Between the 3 I can find any address. Magic is very good in Europe though - extremely precise. In the US, maybe because there’s a lot of change to roads & new roads all the time, it can’t always find addresses. If it’s a longstanding road plan I am sure it does as well as it does in EU. Depends on where you live and how old the road plan is I think.
The maps should use your GPS for location accurately, unless you spoof your location. So as long as you have downloaded offline maps, you could turn off cell, or hit Airplane mode, and the map app should still function. You could also just leave it on, and with your VPN, it should still be OK.
The best thing to do would be to go out for a drive, and flip switches, so that you get an idea of how the app performs.
Organic maps is very privacy friendly (https://organicmaps.app/). And can be used completely offline, once the maps for the area you would be in are downloaded. It is very basic and does not have much features but totally does the job.
The GPS sensor is a separate part of your phone from your modem that doesn’t get affected by your VPN, so what you asked about disconnecting your VPN doesn’t apply.
Many of the FOSS maps use OpenStreets for a data source. The problem I ran into, and I have compared many of them, is that OpenSteets data, in my particular area of the country lags behind (as much as 5 years) in location data. There are businesses in OpenStreets that just don’t exit anymore, and businesses that have existed for 5 years that don’t show up.. So it’s difficult for me to switch. And I’ve been quite happy with their app.
Just an FYI, as I think this was a concern for many privacy folks… I was out on Magic Earth’s site today. They have a big banner that says they are soon implementing a subscription gateway that is free from Google and Apple store. So you can subscribe, $1/year I think, and buy direct.
I’m not super proud of it, but I use Waze without logging in on a Graphene OS device. It does not have any integration to my contacts, which would be my preference anyways.
Also, I have Proton VPN running at all times and it does not interfere with Waze operation when it comes to determining posistions.
Have you looked into using Waze?
Try OsmAnd+ from f-droid (while it is available). It use offline charts. Use your phone GPS även cruising. Good way directions for car,bike and walk.
I use osmand with the open street map files installed to be able to type address normally.