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It is easier than ever to disable Location Sharing on your Android phone

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It is easier than ever to disable Location Sharing on your Android phone

Privacy is a growing concern, especially regarding location tracking. Google has taken steps to enhance your control over location sharing on your Android, making it simpler for you to manage who can see your whereabouts. Let’s dive into this new feature that Google is rolling out and how you can utilize it effectively. (iPhone users, follow these tips)

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Location Sharing on Android in settings (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

The new Location Sharing toggle

Google has introduced a new “Google Location Sharing” toggle that is now integrated directly into the Android settings. This update eliminates the need to navigate through Google Maps to manage your Location Sharing preferences. The new feature is part of the latest updates to Google Play Services and is designed to simplify and enhance your control over location sharing.

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What Location Sharing means

Before you toggle this off, let’s take a moment to understand why you might want it on and what happens when you turn it off.

Imagine this: You’re meeting a friend in a busy city, and instead of sending a dozen texts back and forth, they can simply see your real-time location on Google Maps. That’s the power of location sharing. It allows you to share your exact position with specific contacts, along with useful details like your device’s battery level or your estimated arrival time if you’re navigating.

But when location sharing is off, your movements stay private. No one can track where you are, and your personal information is better protected from potential misuse. Apps and services lose access to your location data, which not only boosts your privacy but can also save battery life by cutting down on background tracking.

So, before deciding, think about what fits your needs best: staying connected or staying private.

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Supported devices and software

The feature is primarily available on Android smartphones, including popular models from brands such as the Google Pixel series (e.g., Pixel 6, Pixel 7), Samsung Galaxy series (e.g., Galaxy S21, Galaxy S23) and other manufacturers that run stock or near-stock Android versions. Certain Android tablets that support the latest versions of the operating system may also have access to this feature. The Location Sharing toggle is part of recent updates to the Android OS, specifically through Google Play Services. You should ensure your devices are running at least Android 12 or later to access this functionality effectively.

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How to update the latest software on your device

Ready to upgrade? Here’s how to do it, but first back up your device data (just in case):

Settings may vary depending on your Android phone’s manufacturer.

  • Go to Settings
  • Click System
  • Tap Software updates
  • Then click System Update
  • If available, tap Download and install
  • Wait for the download to complete and your device to restart

Steps to update software on Android (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

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How to disable Location Sharing on Android

Settings may vary depending on your Android phone’s manufacturer. 

  • Open the Settings app on your phone
  • Scroll down and click Location
  • Toggle off where it says Use Location so it turns gray. This will disable location sharing on your Android.

Steps to disable Location Sharing on Android (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

The benefits of enhanced location control

1) Improved privacy management

This new feature not only simplifies turning off location sharing but also enhances privacy management by providing transparency about who can track you. You can now feel more secure knowing you have control over your shared information, which is particularly beneficial in situations where privacy is paramount.

2) Easier communication with trusted contacts

Location sharing can be very useful for coordinating meetups, ensuring safety during travel or simply letting loved ones know you’ve arrived safely. Now, we have shown you how to disable location sharing, but here’s how you can share your real-time location with trusted contacts using Google Maps when Use Location is toggled on.

  • Launch the Google Maps app on your Android device
  • Tap your profile picture or initial in the top right corner
  • Then select Location sharing

Steps to share your real-time location using Google Maps on Android (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

  • Tap on Share location, or it might say New share
  • Decide how long you want to share your location (options range from 15 minutes to “Until you turn this off”)
  • Choose the contacts you want to share your location with from the list. If they don’t appear, tap More to find them.
  • If sharing with someone who doesn’t have a Google account, tap Copy to clipboard and paste the link into a text message or email.
  • Tap Share to send your location

Steps to share your real-time location using Google Maps on Android (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

Remember that people you share your location with can always see:

  • Your name and photo
  • Your device’s recent location, even when you’re not using a Google service
  • Your device’s battery power and if it’s charging
  • Your arrival and departure time, if they add a Location Sharing notification

They may also see other info depending on how you’re sharing. Learn more about Location Sharing.

Illustration of what people you share your location with can always see (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

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Kurt’s key takeaways

Google’s new “Google Location Sharing” toggle, now integrated into Android settings, simplifies and enhances your control over location sharing. With this feature, Google is striking a balance between convenience and robust privacy management, making it a welcome improvement for Android users.

Have you ever had a situation where turning your location sharing on or off was crucial? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.

For more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/Newsletter.

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Would you pay $8,000 for a robot to fold laundry?

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Would you pay ,000 for a robot to fold laundry?

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If your clean laundry has been sitting in a basket long enough to qualify as furniture, Isaac 1 may sound like the robot you have been waiting for. Weave Robotics has introduced Isaac 1, a mobile home robot designed to handle household chores that many of us keep pushing off to tomorrow. It can pick up dirty clothes, handle loaded hampers, fold laundry and put clothes away.

It can also help with making beds, fixing pillows and blankets, plus putting everyday clutter back where it belongs. That sounds pretty amazing to me, especially if your house has kids, pets or a laundry pile that seems to regenerate overnight. However, Isaac 1 also raises a very personal question: how much access would you give a robot inside your home if it meant fewer chores?

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Weave Robotics’ Isaac 1 home robot can fold laundry, make beds and tidy rooms, but its $7,999 price tag raises questions about cost and privacy. (Weave Robotics)

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What is the Isaac 1 robot?

Isaac 1 is a wheeled mobile robot built from the ground up for the home. Weave says it designed and assembled the robot in San Francisco. The robot has a soft fabric shell, a solid internal structure and a collapsible torso. It can shrink down when it is off duty or extend up to a more human height when it needs to work.

Unlike a robot vacuum, Isaac 1 can reach for objects, move items around and interact with clutter in your home. You control it through a smartphone companion app. That app lets you request a task on demand or schedule one for later. So, Isaac 1 could work while you are home or handle a chore while you are away.

How the Isaac 1 robot folds laundry and resets rooms

Isaac 1’s main features fall into two areas. The first is Laundry Flow. Isaac 1 can find dirty clothes, pick them up, handle loaded hampers, fold clothing and put items away. Depending on your home setup, Weave says Isaac 1 may also help with related tasks, such as loading and unloading clothes from a washer or dryer.

The second area is Daily Reset. That means Isaac 1 can tidy rooms so they feel ready to use again. It can make beds, straighten pillows and blankets and return toys, shoes and other clutter to their places. For many homes, that could be a big deal. Laundry and daily pickup chores tend to drain time because they never really end.

Isaac 1 robot specs for your home

Isaac 1 has an 8-hour battery life and a listed charge time of about two hours. It connects through Wi-Fi and has a footprint of 20.5 inches by 22 inches. Its height ranges from 3 feet to 5 feet 9 inches because the torso can collapse or extend.

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Weave also lists an 80-inch vertical reach and a 38-inch horizontal reach. Those specs help explain how Isaac 1 could reach beds, hampers, shelves and other parts of a normal home. It also uses a wheeled base, which Weave says makes it passively stable as it completes tasks.

At preorder, you can also choose a color preference, including Sage, Gray, Slate Blue, Terracotta or Vesper.

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Isaac 1 is designed to help with laundry, clutter and daily home resets while using cameras, Wi-Fi and possible remote assistance. (Weave Robotics)

Isaac 1 robot autonomy and privacy questions

Weave says Isaac 1 is autonomous by default for Laundry Flow and Daily Reset. However, the company also says teleoperation assistance may step in when needed to make sure tasks get completed. That detail deserves your attention because Isaac 1 works inside your home. Teleoperation means a person can help the robot remotely if it gets confused by an item, a room layout or a task. In some cases, that could make the robot more useful. It could also help prevent chores from getting stuck halfway.

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Weave says privacy is core to Isaac 1’s design. The company also says the robot has physical cues that show when it is working. However, Weave’s privacy policy says its robots have video cameras and may record visual content about their surroundings. That can include tasks being performed, objects in the robot’s field of view and people nearby. The policy also says Weave’s workforce may remotely access that information in connection with the robot’s operation. That does not mean you should panic. It does mean you should read the policy before putting down a deposit.

Isaac 1 may need cameras to fold clothes and move through your home. Still, your bedroom, laundry area and living room are private spaces. You deserve clear answers about what gets recorded, who can see it and how long it is stored. Before ordering, ask whether video can be deleted, whether you can opt out of AI training uses and how you can limit where the robot operates.

Isaac 1 robot price and preorder details

Weave lists two payment options for home customers. You can pay $7,999 upfront, with an optional $99-per-month premium membership, or choose a $449-per-month subscription plan. You can also preorder Isaac 1 with a fully refundable $250 deposit. That deposit reserves your place in line and remains refundable until your robot ships.

For some, the math may come down to time. If Isaac 1 handles enough laundry and daily cleanup, the cost may feel easier to justify. For others, $449 a month may feel like too much for an early home robot.

Isaac 1 robot shipping timeline

Weave says first shipments begin in fall 2026. California deliveries come first, with broader U.S. availability expected through 2027.

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After you preorder, Weave says you should receive a confirmation and thank-you email. As your delivery date gets closer, the company plans to coordinate a demo.

That demo may happen in person at a Weave location or remotely over a video call. Weave also says it will use that time to understand your top priorities for Isaac 1 inside your home.

What this means to you

If Isaac 1 works as promised, it could give you back time from chores that never seem finished. Laundry alone can take hours each week, especially in a busy household. It could also help if bending, lifting or carrying loaded hampers has become a hassle. For some homes, a robot that folds clothes and resets rooms may offer more than convenience.

However, Isaac 1 is still a connected device moving through private rooms. It uses cameras, connects to Wi-Fi and may involve remote help when needed. So before you place a deposit, think about your home layout and where you would actually feel comfortable letting it work.

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Weave Robotics says Isaac 1 can pick up dirty clothes, fold laundry and put items away after users schedule chores through an app. (Weave Robotics)

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Kurt’s key takeaways

Isaac 1 is the kind of robot that makes you stop and say, “OK, now we’re getting somewhere.” Nobody looks forward to folding laundry, making beds or picking up the same clutter again and again. These are the chores that eat up your precious time and seem never-ending. The price is the hard part. At $7,999 upfront or $449 a month, Isaac 1 has to do a lot more than look cool in a demo. It has to save you real time, work reliably and fit into your home without creating new headaches. Then there is the privacy side. Isaac 1 uses cameras, connects to Wi-Fi and may involve remote help when needed. That does not make it a dealbreaker for me, but I would want very clear answers before letting it work in private spaces like my bedroom or bathroom. I love the idea of a robot taking laundry off my hands. I am just not sure most of us are ready to pay nearly $8,000 for that privilege quite yet.

Would you let a robot see inside your home if it meant you never had to fold another load of laundry again? Let us know by writing to us at CyberGuy.com.

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No, Flock isn’t threatening people for debating surveillance

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No, Flock isn’t threatening people for debating surveillance

We’re aware of at least two forged letters circulating on the internet, including this one, that purport to be cease-and-desist letters from our legal department. To be clear: these letters did not come from me or from anyone at Flock.

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Fake VA shoe offer targets veterans

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Fake VA shoe offer targets veterans

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A flyer offering “free athletic shoes from VA” may look official at first glance. It uses VA-style branding, talks about health and wellness and even lists the MyVA phone number. That is what makes it so dangerous.

VA says the message falsely claims Veterans can receive free athletic shoes from VA. The agency says the promotion did not come from VA and has no connection to any official VA program.

The scam appears to be spreading through a flyer and online posts. It tells Veterans they may be eligible for free athletic shoes “at no cost to you.” It also shows popular shoe brands, steps to “redeem” shoes and a process that appears to involve a VA provider.

That may be enough to get someone to click, call, share or forward before they stop to think.

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Veterans are being warned not to click links, scan QR codes or share personal information tied to a fake VA shoe offer. (Kira Hofmann/picture alliance via Getty Images)

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Fake VA shoe offer: what VA says

VA says the free athletic shoe promotion is fake. It did not come from an official VA program, including VPRs, Central Office or Whole Health.

That is important because the flyer borrows the look and feel of a trusted government agency. It also uses health language to make the offer sound like a wellness benefit.

But let’s be real here. A free pair of shoes can sound harmless until the next step asks for your personal details.

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Why the fake VA shoe flyer looks so believable

This scam works because it mixes familiar names with an official-looking design. The flyer uses VA branding, a health-focused message and well-known athletic shoe brands.

It also presents the offer as a benefit. That can make people feel like they may miss out if they do not act.

Scammers know that veterans and families often deal with a lot of paperwork, benefit updates and health care messages. A fake flyer can slide into that confusion and feel more believable than it should.

How scammers use real VA details to build trust

One sneaky detail stands out. The flyer lists the MyVA number, but that alone does not make the flyer real.

Scammers often mix real information with fake offers. A real phone number, real logo or familiar agency name can make people lower their guard.

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That is why you should verify the offer through VA.gov, your official VA account or your local VA facility before responding.

What the fake VA shoe offer could steal

The flyer may look like it is only about shoes. The bigger risk comes next.

A fake offer like this could lead to a phishing page, a bogus form, a QR code trap or someone asking for sensitive details. That could include your Social Security number, VA login information, health information, address, bank details or credit card number.

Scammers may also use the information to target you again. Once they know you responded to a fake VA offer, they may try a follow-up call, text or email.

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A fake flyer claiming Veterans can get free athletic shoes from VA is spreading online, but the agency says it is not tied to any official program. (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs)

What to do if you see the fake VA shoe offer

Do not share it. Do not forward it. Do not fill out a form. Do not scan any code connected to it.

Also, do not provide personal, financial or health information because of this flyer.

Instead, warn veterans, family members and colleagues without spreading the image. A quick heads-up can help someone avoid a costly mistake.

Ways to stay safe from VA scams

A few smart habits can help you spot fake VA messages before they turn into a bigger problem.

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1) Verify the offer through VA.gov

Go directly to VA.gov or use your official VA account. Do not rely on a flyer, social media post, text message or forwarded image.

2) Do not scan QR codes or click links

A scam flyer may send you to a fake website that looks official. Type the web address yourself or search for the VA page directly.

3) Never share VA login details

Do not give anyone your VA.gov username, password or sign-in code. VA says it will not ask you to share login credentials in an email.

4) Protect personal and health information

Treat your Social Security number, address, date of birth, medical information and benefits details as sensitive. A free offer should never require that kind of information from a random form.

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VA says veterans should verify suspicious benefit offers through VA.gov, an official VA account or a local VA facility. (Antonio Diaz / Getty Images)

5) Call VA using a trusted number

If you have questions, contact VA through an official phone number, the VA website or your local VA facility. Do not trust contact details from a suspicious flyer alone.

6) Report the fake VA shoe offer

Veterans who suspect fraud can report it through VSAFE.gov or call 1-833-38V-SAFE. Reports help VA and other agencies track scams that target veterans.

7) Use strong antivirus protection

Strong antivirus software can help protect you if you click a bad link, scan a risky QR code or land on a fake website tied to a scam. Good protection can block malicious pages, warn you about suspicious downloads and help stop malware before it does damage. Get my picks for the best 2026 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices at Cyberguy.com.

8) Consider a data removal service

Scammers often use personal details found online to make fake offers feel more believable. A data removal service can help reduce how much of your information is sitting on people-search sites, including your address, phone number and other details that can be used to target you. Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web by visiting CyberGuy.com.

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9) Take action fast if you responded

If you already clicked, scanned, called or shared information, change your VA.gov password right away. Use a trusted password manager to create and store a strong, unique password you do not use anywhere else. Turn on multifactor authentication if you have not already done that. Then watch your accounts for suspicious activity.

10) Warn others without forwarding the flyer

Tell family members, friends and veteran groups that the offer is fake, but do not send the flyer along with your warning. Even if your goal is to help, someone else may miss your warning, save the image or share it again. Instead, send a short message that says the free VA shoe offer is a scam and tell them to verify any VA benefit through VA.gov or their local VA facility.

Kurt’s key takeaways

A free pair of shoes can make you drop your guard, especially when the flyer uses VA branding and familiar shoe names. That is the whole trick. Scammers are using trust to push veterans and families toward a bad link, a fake form or a request for personal info. Slow down and verify it through VA.gov or your local VA facility. And if you want to warn someone, send them a message saying the offer is fake instead of forwarding the flyer itself. That keeps the scam from spreading.

Would this fake VA shoe offer have made you pause, or would the official-looking design have fooled you? Let us know by writing to us at CyberGuy.com.

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