Location data are information about the geographic positions of devices (such as smartphones or tablets) or structures (such as buildings, attractions).

Unlike the use of data in the digital world (e.g., user data collected on social media), location data is free of context, i.e., it doesn’t record a person’s identity, demographics, or any other personally identifiable information. Businesses worldwide are using location data for the betterment of services, performing studies to improve lives, and solving numerous other challenges.

However, just like with any such information, consent conditions are applicable to the collection of location data. Data privacy laws like GDPR and CCPA empower users to take ownership of their information and govern how businesses are using it.

Under these consent conditions, data collectors must gain the consent of customers to use, store, manage, and share their data, while allowing them to modify or opt-out of their earlier preferences at any point in time.

GPS satellites broadcast their signals in space with a certain accuracy. However, this accuracy is not directly controllable by the app developer, at least not through any software mechanism. The accuracy received depends on additional factors such as satellite geometry, signal blockage, atmospheric conditions, and receiver design features/quality.

Horizontal Accuracy is a radius around a 2D point, implying that the true location is somewhere within the circle formed by the given point as a center and the accuracy as a radius.