Why should you think twice before location sharing?

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Why should you think twice before location sharing?

Thanks for asking.

We're becoming increasingly accustomed to being connected at all times. Thanks to our smartphones, we can even let selected people see exactly where we are. Location sharing is now commonplace, and it can be a practical safety tool for couples, friends and families. Still, it can also be a source of problems, which is what we're going to talk about today.

Why have we got into the habit of sharing our location? Well, as I said, it does have its practical uses. For example, it might reassure your partner or your parents that you've arrived home after a night out. It can help you find someone in a crowded place or follow a loved one's progress during a long journey. It can also save you from repeatedly messaging each other with updates.

Some people see sharing their location with a partner as a sign of trust or commitment. But the information provided by a small dot on a map is limited by nature. It may show where someone's phone is, but it still doesn't explain what they're doing, who they're with, or why they haven't replied. Parents also often use location sharing apps to give children greater independence whilst still being able to check that they're safe. And that continues into adolescence. Indeed, research by Unite students in 2025 found that 67% of parents use an app to track their child's location once they leave for university. But it's important for parents and children to discuss how and why these apps will be used, rather than the parents introducing tracking without the child's knowledge.

What's actually wrong with location sharing then? It sounds pretty useful to me. As I said, it depends on whether everyone has freely agreed to it. Location sharing can offer reassurance, but repeatedly checking someone's movements may fuel anxiety and suspicion. GPS information can also be delayed or inaccurate, potentially leading to unnecessary arguments. There's an important difference between choosing to share your location and being pressured into doing so. The Crown Prosecution Service says that monitoring someone's movements may form part of controlling or coercive behaviour. Similarly, UK domestic abuse charity Refuge warns that technology can be used to control, harass or intimidate a partner. Talking to HuffPost in 2024, therapist Kurt Smith said, In my experience counselling couples, I find that it doesn't build trust, it builds suspicion instead. Leading to questions, doubts and worries. All of which can turn into distrust of our partner and ruminating thoughts about worst-case scenarios. It also creates dependence on a device rather than communication with our partner and honesty in our relationship. Likewise, parents need to strike the right balance. Tracking may provide peace of mind, but constant monitoring can undermine trust or prevent young people from developing independence. Families should agree when tracking is appropriate and when it will be switched off. But there are privacy risks too. Yes, there are. Location data can reveal much more than your current position. Over time it may expose your home and workplace, your daily routine and visits to potentially sensitive places, like a hospital or place of worship. Apps may collect or store this information depending on their settings and privacy policies. If your account or phone is compromised, someone else could potentially gain access to your movements as well. To reduce those risks, share your location only with people you trust, and preferably for a limited period rather than indefinitely. If someone demands access to your location, or uses it to interrogate, threaten or control you, consider seeking confidential support.

There you have it!

Now you know why you should think twice before location sharing. In under three minutes, we answer your questions, and help you understand the true meaning behind the trends, concepts and acronyms that are making headlines. Listen along and you will really know for sure.

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Where some see heroes and others see egos, Bloomberg sees the era of billionaire athletes. A fad to some, the future of money to others. We see crypto's trillion-dollar swings, the end of jobs, or the end of human struggle. We see the endless funds fueling the AI hype. While others follow the noise, we follow the money.