Is Google Maps tracking Android phones?

I just saw today on BBC Click that Google is going to track every Android device and display its position, direction and speed PUBLICLY. I don't know the details of this project, but I do know now that I WANT OUT!!! how do I opt out or make my devices invisible or difficult to find?

Please don't just reply with "buy another OS or device" because the powers that be probably got plans to track the others too. I need to know how to BLOCK this?

What do you know about it?