Geofencing can affect you in more ways than you think, so it’s a good idea to learn as much as you can about it.
This isn’t to sound dramatic, but geofencing is all around us. It’s one of those things that you might not even realize because it has become so integrated into our modern lives that we don’t even think about it much. However, it is essential to understand geofencing, so you know how your location data is used.
So, what is geofencing?
Geofencing is when someone (whether it’s you, a business, or something else) uses GPS to establish invisible virtual boundaries. Then, depending on the service or application for which the geofence is set, you will be able (or even not able) to access certain features. Essentially, you are “fenced” in the digital sense.
It’s a simple definition, but it can be difficult to visualize how geofences work in the real world.
How is geofencing often used?
If you have a smart home ecosystem, chances are geofencing will help you use some of its features. For example, if you set up a command that automatically opens the garage door when you are within a block of the house, this uses geofencing to operate the setting.
Essentially, geofencing uses your location data and applies specific conditions or task-dependent criteria to determine what enters or leaves the designated area. This can be especially useful for those with an in-depth smart home setup. Some apps even allow you to set these geofences yourself, although they aren’t usually called that.
But more than anything, geofencing is used by companies to send you targeted ads. The company’s app can detect when you are physically in a certain area, and when you are there, it can send notifications or text messages corresponding to your location.
For example, if you use Google Opinion Rewards, most of your surveys will be about whether you went to a store in a certain area. Google uses geofencing to generate surveys by identifying businesses in that specific area and populating a list for you. It’s a step beyond GPS, because Opinion Rewards doesn’t just ask you where you’ve been: it asks you about the places within the geofence where you are. maybe were.
The last common use of geofencing is related to regional restrictions, and it may be the one you are most familiar with.
Why are some services not available in my area?
When it comes to geofencing, many people have experienced situations where they cannot use a particular service in their area. Since geofencing and GPS can track where you are, something only available in another country or region is unlikely to be easily accessible.
However, this type of regional restriction has its own term: geoblocking. Geoblocking, as the name suggests, uses your GPS location to determine what internet content you can view. So if you’re in the US and want to watch something on a UK-only streaming service, you’ll encounter geo-blocking and won’t be able to use the service.
There are several reasons why businesses use geoblocking. The main reason is to comply with specific rules and regulations that they must adhere to, especially those related to licensing agreements or other copyright laws. Since these laws vary widely from country to country, many companies restrict access to their apps to ensure that the laws are not unintentionally broken.
However, it is a frustrating situation for the consumer when they are geo-blocked from a service they wish to use. Fortunately, there is a good way to bypass geoblocks.
How to bypass geoblocks
The easiest way to bypass a geoblock is to use a VPN (Virtual Private Network). VPNs have the ability to spoof your location, making it appear as if you are in another region or country.
If you connect to a UK server, the previously inaccessible streaming service is now available, although you’ll likely need to switch back to a US server if you want to get back to your usual Netflix viewing.
VPNs also have a few other benefits, the most important of which is their ability to keep your data secure and private. So not only can you bypass geoblocks, but you can also prevent services from using geofences to try to serve ads to you.
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