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How does gnome-maps get my current location?

On my desktop computer (arch) and laptop (debian) I use gnome-maps. On both devices I use a VPN. (iptables firewall does not allow non-VPN traffic, no DNS leaks.)

On my desktop, the "current location" is the city where the VPN is, as expected.

On my laptop however, gnome-maps is able to get my actual location (VERY precisely, almost down to the foot).

How is that possible? What techniques are used? The laptop does not have GPS.
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1 Answer

Bharatgxwzm
gnome-maps uses geoclue which in turn uses the names/MACs of the wireless networks names and Mozilla Location Services. That's how it gets your location. Here there is more information on wifi-based location technologies.

Dependencies might not allow for removal, but you can disable geoclue.

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