So we need a fork that runs sans Gapps
Already exists: Use cyanogenmod or replicant, and don't install google play services or any google apps.
Replicant has too limited support for devices as of now
Google collects metadata from Android phones
111–120 of 263 posts
Re: Google collects metadata from Android phones
#112Are 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…
I now expect the world to fall down on Google as they did on Microsoft with Windows 10, or will the SV darling be forgiven?
Re: Google collects metadata from Android phones
#113Earlier quoted context omitted.
All thanks to the users of advertising companies who trade privacy for free or cheaper stuff. We used to have paid, more private tech. Still do actually. Almost no money in it with bankruptcies and acquisitions by shady firms more common than getting on Global 2000.
This feels a bit like blaming unsafe working conditions and 12-hour work days at the beginning of the industrial revolution on workers, because they signed the contracts (this was the prevailing narrative from factory owners at the time too). At some point, society came to the conclusion that the workers and factory owners were not on equal footing, and so rules were instated, despite strong protests from the factory…
People LOVE their phones and the functionality it provides, this is not analogous to being forced into shitty miserable manufacturing jobs to buy food for your kids. You can buy a dumbphone with a contact list that makes calls, but people don't.
Re: Google collects metadata from Android phones
#114The article seems to imply that this is a recent addition to the privacy policy. Google keeps archived versions of their privacy policies ( https://www.google.de/intl/en/policies/privacy/archive/ ), and you can easily see that the "telephony log information" was added in the March 1st 2012 revision of the Google privacy policy. You can see a summary on https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2012/02/what-actually-changed-... A…
Yeah, it was so well announced that multiple HN readers -- including me -- who strongly tend towards the privacy sensitive are shocked that they're doing it.
Re: Google collects metadata from Android phones
#115A 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.
I moved my e-mail off Google a few years ago after the PRISM leaks (which the world seems to have collectively forgotten about), but it's not easy. I've posted an article before on my struggles with running my own e-mail server and my messages going straight to spam (even with valid DMARC, DKIM and SPF records).
I have a lot of friends internationally and I feel I can't exit FB, Google Hangouts, etc. The idea of federated social networking never really made it. :(
Re: Google collects metadata from Android phones
#116But what is the paid alternative of all this privacy invasion? Even Apple is doing it now.
If you care about privacy on your mobile phone consider supporting alternatives such as Neo900 (preorders are available): http://neo900.org/faq#floss
I really want to support the Neo900 but the estimated $1,100 price tag for a complete phone is prohibitive.
Re: Google collects metadata from Android phones
#117Are 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…
Few years ago i worked in security software company (antivirus, firewall etc). We collected almost all possible data about users. You can imagine what kind of data...system uptime, configuration, web searching history, even bank payment details.
From those days i am not surprised with this practice.
Re: Google collects metadata from Android phones
#118For 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…
The blog post states that
> during each phone call, Android tries to connect to a Google server
Re: Google collects metadata from Android phones
#119I assume the reach of HN means more than a few people who are reading this thread are currently working with telemetry or tracking data. Yet rarely do I see any posts offering an insider's perspective of how it is used. Obviously there are privacy and ethical barriers, not to mention NDAs. But without the opposing view these discussions are always heavily slanted toward the "data collection is bad" opinion with no evidence that the data being collected is actually being used in the nefarious ways being speculated.
Who will be the Snowden of the advertising industry?
Re: Google collects metadata from Android phones
#120Earlier quoted context omitted.
gotta love the double standard. when verizon did their super cokie, everyone went crazy (as they should). now that its google (doing that since before verizon it seems) the top coment is a googler throwing the issue to the side in a hitchhikers-guide-to-galaxy way ("you should have checked the alpha centaury records in 2012")
The privacy policy actually says you don't have to check: >Our Privacy Policy may change from time to time. We will not reduce your rights under this Privacy Policy without your explicit consent.
All fine, but it is left conveniently unspecified what is meant by "reduce your rights". In fact, I don't even know my rights as I was not explicitly presented them in the form of a list in the first place, making the "reduction" ambiguous.
Admittedly it is not as easy to spin this as a more explicit ToS, but I am sure that with a sufficient number of legal experts, this has considerable leeway in terms of interpretation.