mikaela.github.io/n/nomap.md

---
layout: mini
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title: "Opting out of WiFi positioning (_nomap)"
permalink: /n/nomap.html
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  - /english/2015/11/29/SSID_optout_nomap.html
  - /blog/english/2015/11/29/SSID_optout_nomap.html
  - /r/optout.md
  - /r/_optout.md
  - /r/_nomap.md
  - /r/_optout_nomap.md
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excerpt: Previously a blog post, now a note on _nomap in SSID.
---

# `_nomap`

_{{ page.excerpt }}_

`_nomap` in the end of your SSID will exclude your network from Google, Apple,
WiGLE etc.

Microsoft has a separate
[location services opt-out](https://account.microsoft.com/privacy/location-services-opt-out)
which uses MAC addresses instead.

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- [Why?](#why)
- [`_optout`](#_optout)

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## Why?

Privacy. WiGLE.net may point your home directly just by entering the SSID and
who knows how many similar services there are. While I have been thinking of
this since 2015, there is at least one case where this has been used:

- [Christian Haschek: The curious case of the Raspberry Pi in the network closet](https://blog.haschek.at/2018/the-curious-case-of-the-RasPi-in-our-network.html)

## `_optout`

Legacy from 2015-2016. Used to be part of Microsoft WiFi Sense that shared WiFi
networks and passwords to all contacts.