---
layout: mini
comments: true
title: "Opting out of WiFi positioning (_nomap)"
permalink: /n/nomap.html
redirect_from:
- /english/2015/11/29/SSID_optout_nomap.html
- /blog/english/2015/11/29/SSID_optout_nomap.html
- /r/optout.html
- /r/_optout.html
- /r/_nomap.html
- /r/_optout_nomap.html
- /nomap.html
- /_nomap.html
robots: yesai
sitemap: true
excerpt:
The underscore nomap suffix in SSID indicates your desire to opt-out of Wi-Fi
positioning systems and, in some cases, mass surveillance.
---
# `_nomap`
_{{ page.excerpt }} This used to be a not so great blog-post and has since
became a hopefully better note to whoever it may concern_
`_nomap` in the end of your SSID will exclude your network from Google, Apple,
WiGLE etc.
[Wikipedia has a more complete list of supporting services.](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wi-Fi_positioning_system#Public_Wi-Fi_location_databases)
Microsoft has a separate
[location services opt-out](https://account.microsoft.com/privacy/location-services-opt-out)
which uses MAC addresses instead.
**_Hidden SSID won't work for opt-out in some of those services. Refer to
[n/hiddenssid](hiddenssid.html)._**
Automaattinen sisällysluettelo / Automatically generated Table of Contents
- [Why?](#why)
- [`_optout`](#_optout)
## 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 in 2018:
- [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)
In the second quarter of 2024, researchers found that Apple allows tracking
Wi-Fi networks that hadn't opted out, including Starlink terminals in Ukraine
and Gaza.
- [KrebsOnSecurity: Why Your Wi-Fi Router Doubles as an Apple AirTag](https://krebsonsecurity.com/2024/05/why-your-wi-fi-router-doubles-as-an-apple-airtag/)
## `_optout`
Legacy from 2015-2016. Used to be part of Microsoft WiFi Sense that shared WiFi
networks and passwords to all contacts.
- [KrebsOnSecurity: Microsoft Disables Wi-Fi Sense on Windows 10](https://krebsonsecurity.com/2016/05/microsoft-disables-wi-fi-sense-on-windows-10/)