Your location data is one of the most sensitive pieces of information you share, but are you trusting Google and Apple with every place you go? In this episode, Jordan Bravo and Stephen DeLorme explore private alternatives to mainstream navigation apps that don't track your movements. They cover privacy-focused options like Magic Earth and Organic Maps built on Open Street Maps, reveal how to use Waze on GrapheneOS without Google Play Services, and discuss the ultimate privacy solution: standalone Garmin GPS devices. Plus, news about Proton's new AI assistant Lumo and the company's concerning move away from Switzerland due to emerging surveillance laws. Show Notes: https://atlbitlab.com/podcast/private-gps-and-maps 00:00 Why Privacy Laws Can't Be Trusted - Jordan's Opening Quote 00:10 Introduction and ATL BitLab Sponsorship 01:32 Welcome and Contact Information 02:27 News: Proton Announces Lumo AI Assistant 03:35 - Proton's Privacy Claims for Lumo 05:31 - Testing Lumo's Capabilities and Models 12:22 - Privacy Trade-offs vs Google/OpenAI 13:28 - Proton vs Big Tech Business Models 15:10 - Proton Moving Infrastructure Out of Switzerland 16:21 - Swiss Privacy Laws Under Threat 17:18 - Jordan's Take on Privacy Law Volatility 17:35 - European "Euro Stack" Initiative 20:27 Main Topic: Private GPS and Navigation 21:12 Introduction to Open Street Maps 22:00 Magic Earth: Premium Privacy Navigation App 23:50 - $0.99/year pricing model 24:48 - Jordan's experience with Magic Earth 26:20 - Search limitations vs Google Maps 29:22 Organic Maps: Free but Limited UX 30:40 Waze on GrapheneOS: Surprising Discovery 33:14 Garmin Standalone GPS: Ultimate Privacy 34:30 - Benefits of dedicated navigation device 37:24 - Garmin dash cam capabilities 38:22 - Garmin watches for privacy-conscious users 39:39 BTC Map: Bitcoin Business Directory 43:00 Mapbox for Developers 45:28 Boost Segment: Anonymous and Keith Sharp 47:17 Conclusion and Contact Information
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Recorded in Atlanta's freedom-tech hackerspace, the ATL BitLab podcast covers the world of freedom technology, including bitcoin, privacy tech, nostr, sovereign computing, and more. Some episodes are geared towards the absolute beginner and some go deep into the weeds with how the technology works. There's something here for everyone.