According to Digital Trends, Google is testing a new approximate location toggle in Chrome for Android, specifically in version 142.0.7442.171. The feature prevents websites from accessing precise GPS-based location data while still allowing them to see your general area. Chrome itself maintains precise location permission at the operating system level but doesn’t share that exact data with websites. This brings Chrome’s location handling closer to Android’s app-level model that offers better user control. The update represents a major shift toward web-privacy parity with native applications, reducing unnecessary exposure of sensitive location information while maintaining essential functionality.
Why this actually matters
Here’s the thing about location permissions – most people either give everything or nothing. You’re either telling every website exactly where you are down to the meter, or you’re completely blocking location access. That binary choice has been broken for years. Now you can let a weather site know you’re in Chicago without revealing you’re sitting in that specific coffee shop on Michigan Avenue. It’s the privacy equivalent of having a conversation in a crowded room versus whispering coordinates into someone’s ear.
The bigger privacy picture
This isn’t just about comfort – it’s about creating sustainable privacy practices. When people feel they have control, they’re more likely to keep features enabled rather than turning everything off. Think about it: how many times have you denied location access because the request felt too invasive? With approximate location, you might actually say yes to legitimate uses like local news or restaurant recommendations. The tracking and hyper-localized advertising that makes people uncomfortable? That gets significantly harder when websites only know your city rather than your exact block.
What comes next
If this testing goes well, we’ll probably see this become default Chrome behavior on Android. And you can bet other browsers will follow suit. Apple’s Safari team is definitely watching this closely. Basically, we’re looking at approximate location becoming the new normal for the mobile web. It’s about time the web caught up with the privacy controls that native apps have offered for years. The real question is: what took so long?
