Showing posts with label Transit. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Transit. Show all posts

Tuesday, November 4, 2025

My Life in Motion

My Life in Motion is a non-linear photographic narrative that explores how I navigate daily life without a car. Through twenty images divided into five thematic sections, this project documents the rhythm, freedom, and intentionality of moving through my hometown of Provo using public transportation, biking, walking, and occasionally scootering.

This series is both personal and political. It reflects my choice to live without a car—not out of necessity, but out of a desire for simplicity, sustainability, and connection. Each image captures a moment in my routine: waiting at a bus stop, riding through tree-lined bike paths, reading on the bus, or walking home in quiet reflection. These are not just modes of transportation—they are acts of independence and mindfulness.

Provo’s vibrant murals, thoughtful infrastructure, and walkable streets are more than a backdrop; they are part of the story. By slowing down, I’ve discovered a deeper appreciation for my city’s beauty and culture. I’ve also found community—familiar faces on the bus, friendly drivers, and shared spaces that foster connection.

This project invites viewers to reconsider what it means to move through the world. It’s a celebration of motion, not speed; of presence, not convenience. It’s a reminder that freedom doesn’t always come with four wheels—it can come with two, or even just your own two feet.

INTRODUCTION


One Time in Provo

A mural sets the stage for this journey through my hometown. Provo is more than a place—it’s a canvas for movement, creativity, and everyday life.



Me and My Bike

This is me—no car, no problem. My bike is one of many tools I use to navigate the world around me, powered by independence and intention.



The Hub

Just a mile from home, the train station connects me to the entire region. It’s the heartbeat of my mobility, where every journey begins.



Art in Motion

Provo’s murals are everywhere, waiting to be discovered. Walking and biking let me slow down and see the beauty that cars often rush past.


HOW I GET AROUND TOWN


Pathways of Safety

A painted bike symbol marks the way. Provo’s dedicated bike paths make it easy—and safe—to choose wheels over engines.



Waiting in Motion

Feet planted, tires ready. At the bus stop, my bike and I pause together, ready to shift seamlessly from pedal to public transit.



Quiet Commute

Inside the bus, it’s calm and still. No traffic stress, no road rage—just peace, and the freedom to let someone else take the wheel.



The Green Corridor

Wide, tree-lined, and welcoming—this bike lane connects cities and communities. I sit on my scooter, grateful for the thoughtful design that makes movement feel joyful and safe.



DAILY LIFE


Steps From Work

The bus stop outside the university library is my daily gateway. I work and study here, and public transit makes it all seamlessly accessible.



Reading in Transit

Whether it's a book, audiobook, or podcast, my commute is a quiet retreat. I get 90 minutes a day to read, reflect, and recharge.



Walking Together

After the bus ride home, I walk the final stretch with others who also choose public transit. It’s a shared rhythm, a peaceful end to the day.



Scooter Groceries

My weekly grocery run is a 7-mile ride on my electric scooter. Parked outside Trader Joe’s, it’s proof that errands can be efficient—and fun—without a car.



JOY & FREEDOM


Train to Anywhere

Just a mile from home, the train opens up my world—from family visits to city adventures. It’s reliable, expansive, and liberating.



The Whole Lane

My bike stands proudly in front of a sign that says it all: “Bikes may use full lane.” Provo’s bike-friendly roads make riding feel safe and respected.



Options

Each day is a different adventure when my transportation options are virtually limitless. I decide how I travel depending on my mood.



Multi-Modal Freedom

My bike rides the bus with me, ready to go wherever the road ends. Combining transit and cycling gives me unmatched flexibility and freedom.



THIS IS HOME


Legs to Anywhere

Downtown Provo behind me, reminds me that my legs are enough. I walk this city with purpose, and it takes me everywhere I need to go.



Bike as Art

A bike-shaped rack stands as both utility and sculpture. Provo’s artistic spirit celebrates movement and creativity in everyday spaces.



Familiar Faces

A close-up of the bus that carries me daily. I’ve come to know the drivers, the riders, the rhythm—it’s more than transit, it’s community.



Heart of Provo

This sculpture near my home says it all. Living in a city full of art, culture, and walkable streets makes me feel connected and joyful.




[Project Created for ART 1050, Fall 2025]
aB . All Rights Reserved . 2025

Monday, August 11, 2025

Location Tracking and Privacy Short Paper

    I use a Google Pixel 6 smartphone, which runs on the Android operating system. Android determines location using a combination of GPS, Wi-Fi networks, cell towers, and Bluetooth signals. These technologies allow apps to access my location in real time, often without my direct input. Fortunately, Android gives users the control over location permissions, allowing me to manage which apps can access my location and when – whether only while the app is in use or even in the background. This paper explores how location services operate on my devices and investigates how three commonly used apps – Facebook, Transit, and Google Maps – collect and use location data. By reviewing their privacy policies and adjusting settings, I aim to better understand the balance between convenience and personal privacy.

1. Facebook: collects location data to personalize content, target ads, and suggest nearby events or friends. I can manage location settings and disable location history by going into my settings. Facebook tracks my location even when the app is not open if the background permissions are granted. According to SocialAppsHQ (n.d.), Their policy emphasized that location data is used for ad targeting, and users can opt out of some tracking features.

2. Transit: according to the Transit App (n.d.), tracks your real-time location, including latitude, longitude, speed, and time, to provide accurate transit data. Location tracking only occurs when the app is in the foreground, unless explicitly stated otherwise. Transit collects usage data, such as routes you interact with and device type. You can opt out by revoking location permissions in your phone settings.

3. Google Maps: uses your location for navigation, place recommendations, and location history. As of 2025, Google is shifting to store Timeline data on your device, rather than in the cloud. (Doffman, 2025) You can manage or delete your location history in your timeline, and your data is also used for ads and search personalization. (Google, 2025)

    To enhance privacy, I manually adjusted the settings for Facebook, Transit, and Google Maps on my Pixel 6 by disabling location access entirely through the app permissions menu. I also reviewed each app’s internal privacy settings to turn off location history, background tracking, and personalized features that rely on location data.
 

1. Facebook: I found instructions on iMyPass (n.d.) and CyberProtection (n.d.) to make my Facebook app more secure and prevent it from tracking my location, I can adjust several settings directly on my phone and within the app. On my Google Pixel 6 I went into the Settings > Apps > Facebook > Permissions > Location and selected “Don’t allow” to completely block Facebook from accessing my location. I then opened the Facebook app, tapped the menu (=) Settings & Privacy > Settings scrolled to Location and tapped Location History. I toggled Location History to Off. In the same location, settings menu, I looked for “Allow Location Access” and choose “Never” to prevent background tracking. I then went to Settings & Privacy > Settings > Activity Log. I tapped Filters > Categories > Logged Actions and Other Activity > Location History and deleted any stored location data.

2. Transit: According to the Transit App (n.d.), I can change privacy settings on my Google Pixel 6 by going to Settings > Apps > Transit > Permissions > Location and select “Don’t Allow” to block the app from accessing my location entirely. The App itself does not offer granular location privacy controls, but I can tap the gear icon at the top left on the main screen, scroll to “Getting around” > “Public transit” and disable transportation options I don’t use by unchecking them. I can also toggle off Transit map layers to reduce data visibility. I can change location access to “Ask every time” in Android settings, this way Transit only gets my location when I explicitly allow it.

3. Google Maps: to turn off location access for Google Maps I go to Settings > Apps > Google Maps > Permissions > Location and select “Don’t Allow” to block all location access. Open the Google Maps app, tap your profile icon > Your Timeline, tap the three-dot menu > Settings and privacy and under Location settings, turn off Location History. You can also delete past data by selecting “Delete all Location History.” If you don’t want location-based ads anymore, go to Google Account > Data & privacy > Ad settings and turn off Personalized ads. (Doffman, 2025) I noticed that once I had turned off all permissions, I can no longer receive turn-by-turn navigation to places or estimated travel times. I can still type in address or places and view maps and routes but without live tracking.

Based on the analysis, the following best practices are recommended:

1. Facebook: With all permissions turned off I can still view and post to Facebook and use the Messenger app. I won’t receive friend suggestions, receive local event recommendations, receive ads tailored to my location, and will not be able to tag a location. I don’t really use Facebook a lot and changing these settings won’t affect my use of the app. I think I will leave these settings in place for the time being.

2. Transit: I really cannot use this app with the changes I made, and I will need to change all the settings back. I use the bus daily to commute to work, the grocery store and everywhere else. When I changed all the settings, I am no longer able to use the “Go” feature which helps me navigate a route in real time. It stopped showing me which routes I can take, and I am no longer able to see which stops or routes are close to me. I lose all functions of the app if it cannot track my location in real time.


3. Google Maps: Instead of turning the setting to “Don’t Allow” I can have it set to “Ask every time” so I can choose when I want it to track me and I will still receive accurate directions, ETA estimates and navigations as long as I grant location access when prompted. I will avoid background tracking when the app is not in use, and I will still be able to use the app when needed.


    Based on my research, the best practices for maintaining privacy and security on a smartphone include regularly reviewing app permissions to understand what data each app can access and revoking any that are unnecessary. For location settings, it’s wise to choose “While using the app” or “Ask every time,” especially for apps that don’t require constant tracking. Disabling features like Location History and Precise Location further limits background data collection. Choosing apps that are transparent about their data practices and avoiding those with accessing or unclear permission helps reduce risk. Turning off ad personalization also minimizes tracking across platforms. Keeping your software up to date and using a strong screen lock are essential steps to protect your device from unauthorized access. (Consumer Reports, 2023).

    In an increasingly connected world, tracking has become a powerful tool embedded in everyday mobile experiences. Through this investigation of my Google Pixel 6 and the apps Facebook, Transit, and Google Maps, location services offer both convenience and complexity. While these apps rely on location data to provide personalized content, real-time transit updates, and accurate navigation, they also raise significant privacy concerns. By reviewing their privacy policies and adjusting permission, users can take meaningful steps to protect their personal data. Ultimately, maintaining privacy on a smartphone requires ongoing awareness, thoughtful permission management, and a willingness to prioritize security over convenience. As technology continues to evolve, so too must our understanding of how to safeguard our digital footprints.


References:

Consumer Reports. (2023, October 12). How to protect your privacy on your smartphone. Consumer Reports. Retrieved August 3, 2025, from https://www.consumerreports.org/electronics/privacy/how-to-protect-your-privacy-on-your-smartphone-a1047623171/

CyberProtection. (n.d.). Stop Meta from tracking your information on iOS and Android. CyberProtection. Retrieved August 3, 2025, from https://www.cyberprotection.com/post/stop-meta-from-tracking-information-on-ios-android

Doffman, Z. (2025, May 17). Google is deleting all your location data—Do not miss deadline. Forbes. Retrieved August 3, 2025, from https://www.forbes.com/sites/zakdoffman/2025/05/17/google-is-deleting-all-your-location-data-do-not-miss-deadline/

Doffman, Z. (2025, May 17). Google is tracking your every move—Here’s how to turn it off in 3 steps. Tom’s Guide. Retrieved August 3, 2025, from https://www.tomsguide.com/computing/mobile-apps/google-is-tracking-your-every-move-heres-how-to-turn-it-off-in-3-steps

Google LLC. (2025, July 1). Privacy policy. Google. Retrieved August 3, 2025, from https://policies.google.com/privacy?hl=en-US

iMyPass. (n.d.). How to stop Facebook from tracking your location. iMyPass. Retrieved August 3, 2025, from https://www.imypass.com/gps-location/stop-facebook-tracking/

SocialAppsHQ. (n.d.). Guide to Facebook privacy. SocialAppsHQ. Retrieved August 3, 2025, from https://www.socialappshq.com/facebook/guide-to-fb-privacy/

Transit App. (n.d.). Manage your public transit options. Transit. Retrieved August 3, 2025, from https://help.transitapp.com/article/107-manage-your-public-transit-options

Transit App. (n.d.). Privacy policy. Transit. Retrieved August 3, 2025, from https://transitapp.com/privacy

[Written for TECH 1010 class UVU Summer 2025]
aB . All Rights Reserved . 2025