geolokacija

Geolokácia (geolocation) is the process of determining the real-world geographic location of a person, device, or object, typically by collecting data from multiple sources. It yields coordinates such as latitude and longitude and an accuracy estimate, along with a timestamp and the method used. Geolocation is used across many digital services to tailor content, improve navigation, or enable location-aware features.

The main technologies include GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) such as GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, and BeiDou for direct positioning; Wi‑Fi positioning that uses known access point locations; mobile network methods such as cell-ID triangulation; IP-based geolocation from databases; and Bluetooth beacons or sensor fusion to improve indoor accuracy. Outdoor positioning can be within a few meters with GNSS, while urban canyons or indoor settings may yield larger errors; IP-based methods can be less precise.

Common applications include mapping and navigation, location-based services and content, asset and fleet tracking, geofencing, emergency services, and data analytics. Many apps require user consent before collecting location data and may allow users to opt in, opt out, or limit sharing.

Privacy and data protection are central concerns. Geolocation data can reveal sensitive information about individuals, requiring compliance with laws such as the European Union's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and similar regimes elsewhere. Data should be stored securely, anonymized where possible, retained only as long as necessary, and subject to user rights to access, correct, or delete.

Challenges include variable accuracy, privacy concerns, the risk of spoofing or jamming, and political or regulatory considerations about data localization. Ongoing research seeks to improve indoor positioning, privacy-preserving approaches, and reliable cross-source fusion.