Before the launch of Android 12, it’s a requirement from Google/Android for apps using Bluetooth to obtain Location permission. This is because Bluetooth - a common pairing technology used by accessories like headphones, wearables, and smart home devices - is used to scan and “locate” the accessory. Later on, Google got feedback that this was confusing and over-granting Location permission, when the app just wanted to use Bluetooth.
With the launch of Android 12 in Oct 2021, Google came up with a solution. They created a new Nearby Devices permission to “Allow [an app] to find, connect to, and determine relative position of nearby devices.” So if you upgraded your Android device’s operating system to Android 12 and above, your TraceTogether App would be using the Nearby Devices permission, and no longer use the Location permission. You can verify this under your app settings 😊
Also, we only ask for Location / Nearby Devices permission on Android devices, not on iOS devices. Goes to show that TraceTogether doesn’t collect nor use our users’ geolocation data!
For more information, please see https://developer.android.com/guide/topics/connectivity/bluetooth/permissions.