The upcoming Android 16 update is set to enhance user privacy by providing greater transparency regarding location tracking by apps. Currently in beta, this feature is part of the Android 16 QPR3 (Quarterly Platform Release) and is expected to roll out early next year. According to reports from 9to5google, users will notice a new blue dot accompanied by a map icon located next to the battery meter at the top of the display. This indicator will only appear when an app is actively tracking the user’s location. By tapping on the dot in the notifications view, users can identify which app or apps are monitoring their whereabouts, allowing them to either close the app or adjust their location settings accordingly.
Enhanced Privacy Features
This new functionality builds upon a previous privacy feature introduced by Google, which included a green dot with a camera icon to indicate when an app was accessing the camera or microphone. In instances where an app is both tracking location and using the camera, users will see a combination of the two icons, as illustrated in screenshots shared by 9to5google.
Currently, this tool is exclusive to Pixel devices in its beta phase, but it is anticipated that it will be made available to other Android smartphones in the future, similar to how the green camera dot feature was rolled out previously. Overall, this software update represents a significant step forward in providing users with tools that enhance their privacy and control over personal data.
