Google Maps gets real-time location sharing

When it comes to Google, many people are concerned about privacy, and rightfully so. Look, the company makes money through advertising and data collection. In other words, if you rely on the search giant's services, such as Gmail and Maps, the company probably knows a lot about you -- including the locations that you visit.

While exposing your location is normally something people try to avoid from a security perspective, today, Google is making it easier to do so. No, the search giant isn't doing it without your permission -- it is actually a very cool new feature. The company is enabling Google Maps users to share their real-time location with others. The reason that this is cool (and not scary) is that the user can choose with whom they share the location, and for how long it is shared. Your phone will even keep you notified that you are sharing your location -- just in case your plans change and you forget to shut it off. In other words, it is totally optional.

"Whenever you want to let someone know where you are, just open the side menu or tap the blue dot that represents where you are. Tap 'Share location' and then select who to share with and how long to share -- and you're done! You can share your real-time location with your Google contacts, or even share with friends and family by sending a link on your favorite messenger apps. When you're sharing your location, the people you've chosen to share with will see you on their map. And you'll see an icon above the compass on your own map reminding you that you're actively sharing your location. You can change your mind and stop sharing at any time -- it's entirely up to you," says Daniel Resnick, Engineering manager, Google Maps.

Resnick further says, "Next time you're on your way or running late, you can share your real-time location and trip progress from navigation as well. During your next trip, tap the 'More' button on the bottom on the navigation screen, and then tap 'Share trip.' When you share your trip with people, they'll see your expected arrival time and can follow your journey as you head toward your destination. Sharing automatically ends when you arrive."

This feature is more than just a fun gimmick -- it has many practical uses. From a business perspective, workers can share their locations with a boss, co-worker, or client to set better expectations of meetings. From a safety perspective, maybe someone is walking home alone in the dark and feeling a bit uneasy or scared -- they can share their location with friends and family for reassurance that they can be located if something bad was to happen. The possibilities are endless.

If you want to try the new functionality, Google is rolling it out starting today. It is available to all regions -- it is not a USA-ony affair. If you don't have the ability now, don't worry -- it will reach all users eventually.

Photo Credit: Shutterstock.com/Roman Pyshchyk