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Google collects metadata from Android phones

borncity.com

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Re: Google collects metadata from Android phones

#41

Post by [deleted] »

microtonal wrote: post #39
lost_name wrote: post #23

For what it's worth, I have my doubts that this applies to a generic call/sms on any old Android device. I would think it's more likely to apply to services such as the Hangouts calling or Google Voice, and probably Google Fi, all of which make sense to collect that data, but the privacy policy doesn't absolve itself of that. > When this Privacy Policy applies > Our Privacy Policy applies to all of the services offer…

For what it's worth, I have my doubts that this applies to a generic call/sms on any old Android device. Does it matter? This is completely in line with their privacy strategy the last few years. Slowly add new terms to the privacy policy, so that people find it acceptable. When asked, point to some unharmful or obvious application. At any rate, it makes it possible to do what the article stated. And since a lot of s…

[deleted]

Re: Google collects metadata from Android phones

#43

Post by lallysingh »

akerro wrote: post #9
tshtf wrote: post #5

Is the calling or called number only passed when "Caller ID by Google" is enabled? https://support.google.com/nexus/answer/3459196?hl=en

Looks like a different `spying` mechanism. The one described in the article also sends metadata about texts.

Caller ID also applies to text messages, right? They have phone numbers on them too.

Re: Google collects metadata from Android phones

#44

Post by toyg »

supernovae wrote: post #27
jswny wrote: post #15

Are people really surprised about this anymore? I can't say that I am. Google is a company which makes a lot of money off of their platforms. I expect them to be collecting data wherever and whenever they can. I see stories like this every day but I've become accustomed to it because it's such a normal practice nowadays, especially from a company like google which provides so many advertising services. I'm not saying…

Maybe not surprised, but they begrudge everyone else for this more than they do google, and that's what I think sucks. It seems OK for Apple/Google to do whatever they need to do to have a competitive app store with all its analytics and understanding its customer to sell it advertising but if other companies do it, its all the sudden the sky is falling

It's probably because Google is perceived as giving you something like search, email, maps etc, which is very valuable, and "in exchange" it does stuff that does not directly impact your life. Similarly with Apple, which also works as a status symbol.

The sequence is also important: first they build services and products, sell (or give away) them on their merits, and then turn the analytics to 11. Doing both at the same time is a no-no, but once a user is dragged in, natural laziness and other migration costs kick in.

They are long cons, and to be fair, the products are pretty nice.

Re: Google collects metadata from Android phones

#46

Post by toyg »

johnsea wrote: post #33

A Gooxit would be in order. From time to time I wonder why the EU accepts foreign companies stealing so much personal data. China did the right thing. We should learn from them. India, afaik, also has better protection.

Classic example of the difference between nation-states and macro-powers btw. Should an individual market, even a rich one like the UK, complain about this and that, Google would shrug. But when it's the whole of the EU talking, they better listen.

Re: Google collects metadata from Android phones

#47

Post by 27182818284 »

techthroway443 wrote: post #42
cm3 wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Definitely not since we've learned that (some) webpages send each keystroke while on the login page.

What is this referring to?

I believe this is referring to the ebay password submission that was on the front-page yesterday. The summary was that Ebay seemed to be sending each typed character of the password field back home.
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