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Browser Location Permission: How to Turn It On or Off

All browsers have different processes to change location access

6 min. read

Updated onJune 17, 2024

updated onJune 17, 2024

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Key notes

Browser geolocation permission is a common thing with most browsers. User locations can be used for several purposes, and that is why most people don’t give access to it in apps. However, browser location permission is a request that the browser sends to users to allow access to your current geolocation.

Moreover, browsers like Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Opera One, Mozilla Firefox, and others take advantage of users’ locations to find relevant information. The browser searches through the businesses and places in your location to help you find activities and navigate easily.

Likewise, you can use browsers that support JavaScript to request users’ locations. It means you can request browser location permission with JavaScript.

Nonetheless, enabling geolocation access in your browser settings can detrimentally affect the users’ security. It gives access to malicious websites to know your geolocation which they can use for theft activities.

Hence, users will learn what the browser location permission does and how to turn it on and off.

Why do websites want to know my location?

Websites use your location to determine the contents that are appropriate and beneficial for you based on your geolocation.

For instance, browser location permission helps YouTube find videos and content suitable for your environment and location. Likewise, shopping websites may use your geolocation API to find goods available for your area.

However, a user’s location helps websites determine adverts that are appropriate and accessible for your location. It enables the website to scrutinize ads and display the adverts most relevant to your area.

Also, it improves site functionality. In other words, business websites, government websites, and location apps like maps can use your location to improve their services.

However, web apps like maps can use your location to provide you with local maps, identify nearby restaurants or hotels, and show directions.

Malicious websites can take advantage of users’ location for the wrong reasons that can’t be overemphasized. So, enabling location services for your browser can be beneficial and detrimental to users’ online security.

It allows them to access your whereabouts, and they can use it to plot dangerous things like online theft and sometimes physical theft.

Hence, we recommend that users turn off their location services to be safe. However, it doesn’t mean that you won’t be allowed to enable location access for websites.

Google can provide relevant information by accessing your location, but it can also be accessed by malicious sites and scripts if you’re not careful. You can easily hide your location by using a free VPN browser like Opera One.

Opera One comes with a built-in free and unlimited VPN that allows hiding or changing your location as you please. Moreover, it has other features like an ad and tracker blocker and a native AI.

Opera One

How do I change my browser location settings?

1. Google Chrome

After this process, browser geolocation permission would be disabled on your Google Chrome. Hence, it will not tie your activities to your location anymore.

2. Opera One

However, we recommend you close and relaunch your browser for the changes to sync correctly.

3. Mozilla Firefox

While in the location permission settings tab, you can change your browser geolocation access in your browser settings.

4. Microsoft Edge

Users can on and off location access and manage it for specific websites in the browser location permission settings.

How do I stop my browser from knowing my location?

Disable location access for your browser on Windows

However, to disable geolocation access for a specific app, do these:

These are the best ways to disable browser location permission on your device. Although you can disable browser location with Javascript, it requires understanding some codes. Hence, we have provided more straightforward approaches to it.

Nonetheless, turning on your browser location services can result in security breaches. Hence, users must know how to protect their browsers from online thefts. We recommend you read our article about themethods to protect yourself from browser information leaks.

Furthermore, VPNs are suitable for online protection. They protect you from being detected online while going about your online activities by connecting you to the internet through encrypted servers. So, it may be beneficial to know thebest VPNs for laptops with enhanced security and speed.

In caseGoogle thinks you’re in a different country, enabling these settings can help, so don’t hesitate to use them.

Kindly leave your feedback and suggestions in the comments section below. We’d like to hear from you.

Browser Location Permission: How to Turn It On or Off#

Why do websites want to know my location?#

Opera One#

How do I change my browser location settings?#

1. Google Chrome#

2. Opera One#

3. Mozilla Firefox#

4. Microsoft Edge#

How do I stop my browser from knowing my location?#