• After 15+ years, we've made a big change: Android Forums is now Early Bird Club. Learn more here.

Can I Block App From accessing my GPS location?

I think so. I guess you need to set a mock location somehow (if not, will it default to somewhere or report true location? I don't know). Guess you could test it using a location sensitive app of your own.

What happens if they try to track you and find nonsense results I don't know.
 
Have you even read the brochure on what the app is for, that you keep on intending to mock your location? Basically the app they want you to use compares the routes you take to the location of your intended destination for delivery. If your IT guy gets spoofed locations from you, miles away from the intended destination, with a weird route that may actually end up showing on the servers that you never reached the delivery point, the least you'd probably get is a reprimand. At worst you get fired.

Read the purpose of the app. It compares the route taken by the employee to what is deemed as the shortest route. They want to know if you veer off course or take side trips and do other non work related stuff during work hours. Giving them mock location would show up on their reports that you aren't where you are supposed to be at a given time, for several instances.

It's not a matter of them invading your privacy anymore when they are trying to find out if you are doing what they pay you to do. I fear that forcing on your path of sending spoofed locations to your company's tracking system will lead to dire consequences on your end unless you take it up with your supervisor before doing anything as drastic as spoofing your location.
 
What you are describing is one aspect of the app. Yes, it has use in regards to the delivery chain (of which, I am not a part of). However, it also talks about the sales side by comparing sales information on a stop-by-stop basis, etc. The whole issue is the fact that I am paid for selling a product - period! As long as my sales numbers are acceptable - and they are - it does not matter HOW I run my routes. If they were providing me with gas reimbursements, or a company car, or paying me by-the-hour or on salary, I could understand tracking me to make sure I am maximizing all aspects of my day, etc. However, as a commissioned sales rep, I am being paid by what I sell, for the use of my knowledge and abilities to maximize sales. Once again, I realize this may not happen. I just want to have all of the knowledge of my options BEFORE the roll-out just to be safe.
 
So basically you're jumping the gun? From what you are talking about, they may not even tell you to get the app. As it is, everything is pure speculation on your part as it is.
 
Well... we have now been told to download the app and have been through our first training session. All of this without a single notification of any tracking abilities by, either, the app or the company. However, after a conversation with my general manager, I now know FOR SURE that we are being tracked! Without rehashing the entire conversation, he stated "yeah, I can track you through the app." When I expressed my opposition at this, he stated "you realize, don't you, that you are being tracked every second of the day by someone?" He then went into his belief that we no longer have any privacy and there is nothing that can be done about it. IMO, he was basically saying 'everyone else is doing it, why can't we?" I, again, expressed my opposition. He then stated, in a way that made me think he was actually trying to comfort me, "look, you don't have anything to worry about! It is only going to be used in situations where I need to start building a case against somebody." Apparently, he really thought that would change my mind! I mean, at what point does he decide that he wants to get rid of me, or anybody else, for personal reasons or simply because he feels we are making too much money, and would prefer a younger Sales Rep that he can pay less? He can then go back into our GPS history, find patterns that he does not like, and use those against us, or, in his words "start building a case against us". Not to mention that we have never been given any standards or expectations in regards to how we run our routes, when we start each day, when we end each day, etc. etc. My concerns were/are valid! Now, I have to find out a shure-fire way to block the app 100% of the time. My father, a mechanical and electrical engineer, suggested getting a metal box and leaving get the tablet in it to block all signals, coming and going. Only taking it out when I want to enter orders and am at a specific place, determined by me. While I am going to use this method, in conjuction with attempting to give false location information, I still hope to find a way to block the apps ability completely!
 
Slug said:
If this app is a requirement of your employment, than interfering with its operation may jeapordise the same. You really should think this through before doing something that you may later regret.
Click to expand...

That's what it sounds like, something that the employer requires. If dont want them to put it on own phone, i.e. Bring Your Own Device(BYOD)... Let them give you a company iPhone, that's the usual.....or find another job.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom