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If you like the idea of sharing your location with family and friends for safety, but don't enjoy the thought of being constantly tracked, you're not alone.
Most location-sharing apps work on an always-on basis, tracking your every move by default. And those that prioritise encryption and privacy, like Apple's Find My solution, don't work for households with family members who use rival devices, like Windows or Android. Cybersecurity firm Surfshark, which has been listed as one of the providers behind the best VPN deals, plans to tackle this issue with its brand-new app, HeyPolo.
The team built the app around the idea that staying connected shouldn't mean giving up your independence. It's designed to create a more balanced experience, with consent at the heart of everything. You get to pick exactly what information goes out, who sees it, and how long they can view it.
Edvinas Sersniovas, CEO at HeyPolo said, "People want safety, but they don't want to sacrifice their autonomy or feel controlled by those they trust. We are changing the perception that location sharing must equal surveillance."
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So what can you actually do with HeyPolo? HeyPolo is built to work for everyday family life. Whether you're coordinating school runs, keeping tabs on teenagers, or checking in on elderly relatives, the app helps you stay connected without anyone feeling watched.
Cybersecurity firm Surfshark has created the location-sharing app HeyPolo — designed to protect your privacy
|SURFSHARK PRESS OFFICE
Mr Sersniovas said, “As a father myself, I wanted to create an app that could help me ensure my family’s safety while respecting and protecting their data at the same time."
You've got three visibility options to choose from. You can share your precise location, show just a general area, or go completely private when you need some space.
If you're tracking your friends or family, you can see what time they arrive at certain locations, such as home, school, or work
|SURFSHARK PRESS OFFICE
There's also a clever timer feature, similar to what's available in the Find My app on iPhone. You can set exactly when sharing starts and stops, and once that timer runs out, tracking ends completely.
Your data is meant to stay protected, too. Everything is encrypted while it's being sent, and the company has never planned to sell your location information to anyone else.
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To use the app, you need a paid subscription with prices starting at either £5.99/month, or you can pay £47.88 for an annual plan — saving you £24. You can also create as many groups as you like and invite friends and family without paying extra for each person.
HeyPolo is available to download from both the Google Play Store and the iOS App Store. If you're not sure if you want to fully commit to a paid subscription, New users get a 30-day free trial to test it out.