Google Chrome for Android Adds Approximate Location Option

Google has rolled out a new location-sharing option in Chrome for Android, allowing users to provide websites with an approximate location rather than precise GPS coordinates. The update, announced this week, introduces a choice in permission prompts between "Precise," which shares exact coordinates, and "Approximate," which reveals only a general area such as a neighborhood.

The change addresses scenarios where full precision is unnecessary. For local weather, news, or regional store hours, an approximate location suffices, according to Google. Users retain the ability to select precise sharing for needs like finding the nearest ATM, placing a delivery order, or navigation. "By letting you share your approximate location, we're giving you more control over your location data. And you can still share your precise location when it's needed, e.g., for navigation, so you won't lose functionality," the company stated in a blog post.

The feature is now live in Chrome for Android devices. Google plans to extend it to the desktop version in the coming months, though no timeline was provided for Chrome on iOS. To support developers, new APIs will enable websites to request either...