How to Update Phone Location Permissions for Accurate GPS Tracking in VeriClock

This article provides an explanation of the updated location permissions for both Android and iOS devices. It details how these changes affect continuous tracking and how to configure location permissions for the VeriClock app.

VeriClock location tracking services allow an employer to:

1. See the location where an employee clocks in and clocks out

2. See the path an employee travels while clocked in (continuous tracking)

3. Look up an employee's location if the employee is clocked in (ad hoc lookup)

4. Set a geofence around a specific location to (geofence):  

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  • only allow an employee to clock in and/or out if in the geofence
  • automatically clock an employee out if they leave the geofence while clocked in

In order to use features #2, #3 or #4, the VeriClock App is required to access the phone's location even when the App is not in use.  The App is NOT considered in use if the employee closes the App after clocking in or the app is moved to the background while clocked in.

Since March 29, 2021, all apps that access location when not "in use" will need to be approved by Google and verified that the app only accesses the data as per our policy. Otherwise, app updates may be blocked and the app may be removed from Google Play. (1)  In order to be approved as an app that accesses location when not "in use" the user must give permission to the app to access location "Always".

In order to comply with Google's requirements, VeriClock has released an update to its App that features a prominent disclosure

As outlined in our Privacy Policy, VeriClock will never sell, trade, or otherwise transfer personally identifiable information (including location data) to outside parties. 

Options for Employers

Employers using VeriClock should consider if continuous tracking and/or geofencing is required.  If tagging clock in and out is sufficient, the App permission can be set to "Only While Using"

If continuous tracking and/or geofencing is required, inform employees that:

• location data is never stored if the employee is NOT clocked in
• "Always Allow" is required because the App is not considered in use if the employee switches to another app or closes the VeriClock App while clocked in

For information on how to enable GPS tracking in an employee's phone, see:

• How to Configure your Android settings for GPS tracking
• How to Configure your iPhone settings for GPS tracking

For more information on Location Services, please feel free to contact us at one of the numbers below or shoot us an email. We're also available by chat - Just click the tab at the bottom right of the screen.

Phone	800.379.2001 (US and Canada)
Phone	+ 1.778.785.6018 (Everywhere)
Email	[e-mail]

(1) Link to Google Developer article on the topic.