Augusta, GA

What the Tech: How to tell if an app is using your location

Published

1 year ago

October 7, 2023

Press Room

What the Tech: How to tell if an app is using your location

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Recent studies show people look at their smartphones 58 times a day on average.

Other studies show the number of glances is closer to 100 times a day.

No matter how frequently you look at your phone, you may have never noticed a pretty important icon on the screen. It’s a small arrow at the top of the screen next to the time. iPhone users may not see it if the dynamic island displays notifications or apps currently in use.

Go ahead and take a look. Do you see it? If you do, you may wonder what it means.

The arrow represents your phone’s location settings, namely if an app has access and is currently using your location.

Some apps require using your location for their functionality.

Navigation apps such as Apple Maps, Google Maps, and Waze need your phone’s location in order to give directions. Weather apps need to know where you are to give current conditions. Apps that search for nearby gas stations, restaurants, coffee shops, and movie theaters require location as well.

Some apps though have access to your location that don’t really need it.

Apps like Pinterest, photography apps such as BeReal, ESPN, Flipboard, radio station apps, Snapchat, some smart home device apps, and Amazon, and Walmart shopping apps ask for your location as well.

To review apps asking for your phone’s location, go into settings, then privacy. Tap the Location Services settings to see all the apps that want to track you.

Gray arrows designate apps that have accessed your location within the past 24 hours. A purple arrow shows apps that have accessed your location within the last 24 hours.

You can restrict apps from accessing your location. You can authorize your location to apps to only when you’re using the app, or set it to “ask next time or when you share”.

Some apps require you to share your precise location. That makes sense for apps such as Uber, Lyft, W3W, and navigational apps. Others such as radio apps, local businesses, calendar apps, and photo album apps may only need your approximate location.

Many free apps not only track your location but can share the location information with other companies. They won’t do that without your permission though, which you may have given it when you first installed the app.

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Augusta, GA

One dead after being hit by car in Aiken County

Published

60 minutes ago

January 13, 2025

Press Room

One dead after being hit by car in Aiken County

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) -One person is dead after being struck by a vehicle on US 1 in Aiken County.

The South Carolina High Patrol and Aiken County Coroner’s Office said a pedestrian was walking south on US 1 near Bogeyville Road around 7:18 Sunday night when a 2021 Chevrolet Camero hit them.

The driver of the Camaro was not injured.

The woman was taken to Aiken Regional Medical Centers, according to Coroner Darryl Ables, where she died from her injuries at 8:35 Sunday night.

The victim’s name will be released at a later time.

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Augusta, GA

Tree giveaway helps Augusta get back to normal after Helene

Published

13 hours ago

January 12, 2025

Press Room

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – It’s been more than 100 days since Hurricane Helene came through our area.

Now, those in the CSRA are still cleaning up the aftermath.

On Saturday, Rooting for Augusta helped the area get back to normal.

“Every once in a while, we have a horrific event that unites us all, and we certainly had it with the storm. Everybody can agree that it’s a good thing to plant trees back in the right spots,” said Dennis Trotter with Rooting for Augusta.

Rooting for Augusta gave away 700 trees as part of the event.

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Augusta, GA

New Richmond County sheriff promotes deputies, other employees

Published

24 hours ago

January 12, 2025

Press Room

New Richmond County sheriff promotes deputies, other employees

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – After swearing in 100 new deputies at the beginning of his tenure, Richmond County Sheriff Eugene Brantley also addressed promotions and appointments for those in the sheriff’s office.

It happened on Friday before the winter weather got underway and impacted the region.

Brantley spoke with us after about why the new promotions, appointments and people in the sheriff’s office will benefit the community.

“For the most part, when you’re suffering from a shortage of staff like we have been and so many other agencies in the state of Georgia and around the country, I think it is a boost in the arm to onboard 100 people to help get things that we need slow down crime and stop what is plaguing our community,” said Brantley.

Brantley said it was the first step to making the community safer.

He says he has been working on improving the jail as well.

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