> Apple Maps wouldn’t have this issue. It’s capable of running offline (without a data connection) because it can download maps to the device.
Why would that matter? Even if the map data is cached locally, a navigation app obviously needs a GPS location from the phone, which requires it to be granted permissions. And the fake data would be equally disastrous to any navigation app.
Or are you suggesting that if Apple were to add a feature for generating fake data, it'd only apply to 3p apps and not their own? I'll admit that it would be totally on-brand behavior.
If you don't have a data connection then it's fine to give location data to an application because there's nowhere it can send it. With properly designed APIs, the app shouldn't be able to store the location data either, only display it to the user by calling the map API.
Location can, and is, stored in the local device and uploaded when connected. Location data is tiny compared to something like video.
All apps can store data because most need to store data if just for settings and cached. Especially any offline navigation app. There is a difference between app storage and general storage.
If you don't give the location data to the application, how is it going to do navigation, finding restaurants near you, and all other similar features?
Why would that matter? Even if the map data is cached locally, a navigation app obviously needs a GPS location from the phone, which requires it to be granted permissions. And the fake data would be equally disastrous to any navigation app.
Or are you suggesting that if Apple were to add a feature for generating fake data, it'd only apply to 3p apps and not their own? I'll admit that it would be totally on-brand behavior.