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Verizon announces plans to install a download-tracking app on its Android phones

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Re: Verizon announces plans to install a download-tracking app on its Android phones

#12

Post by hprotagonist »

for now, i am nice and cozy in my iOS walled garden. The advantages of doing business with hardware companies is that it's much more clear that i'm paying them scads of money for a handset, instead of any other financial transaction.

Re: Verizon announces plans to install a download-tracking app on its Android phones

#13

Post by jaredandrews »

Verizon is the only cell company that has coverage in my home town in central Massachusetts. Thus I have used them all my life.

I recently had my first "positive" customer service with experience with Verizon switching to their unlimited plan. My bill dropped significantly. ($120 base -> $80 but really $200 -> $80 because I always go over on data)

I just noticed that I have a "phone upgrade" waiting as well. I am an Android dev and typically just buy unlocked phones when I need them and switch SIM cards. This sort of shit is why. Even as it is, Verizon branded phones are filled with crapware you can't delete. It sucks knowing that thru my monthly bill that I am subsidizing a "phone upgrade" program that I am never going to take advantage of due to the way Verizon molests Android before giving you the phone.

Re: Verizon announces plans to install a download-tracking app on its Android phones

#14

Post by _m8fo »

Is this really that different from Verizon phones having Google services enabled by default (if that's even true -- I don't use Verizon). Why is Verizon spying on you any worse, or better than Google or Facebook?

No one should spy on you. Period.

Re: Verizon announces plans to install a download-tracking app on its Android phones

#15

Post by moltenbobcat »

jaredandrews wrote: post #13

Verizon is the only cell company that has coverage in my home town in central Massachusetts. Thus I have used them all my life. I recently had my first "positive" customer service with experience with Verizon switching to their unlimited plan. My bill dropped significantly. ($120 base -> $80 but really $200 -> $80 because I always go over on data) I just noticed that I have a "phone upgrade" waiting as well. I am an…

Surely they are going to be loading it using Carrier Configuration tied to the sim card... As soon as you put a verizon sim card into your unlocked non verizon phone it installed a bunch of helper apps.

https://source.android.com/devices/tech/config/carrier.html

Re: Verizon announces plans to install a download-tracking app on its Android phones

#16

Post by Vermeulen »

_m8fo wrote: post #14

Is this really that different from Verizon phones having Google services enabled by default (if that's even true -- I don't use Verizon). Why is Verizon spying on you any worse, or better than Google or Facebook? No one should spy on you. Period.

By using Google's free services you agree to giving them data - that's not how customers want to use an ISP.

Google is a company that relies on trust. If I can't trust them with my data their business will seriously suffer. Verizon in no way cares about users trusting them, it's not in their business model.

It needs to be a choice what companies I trust with my data

Re: Verizon announces plans to install a download-tracking app on its Android phones

#18

Post by jaywunder »

_m8fo wrote: post #14

Is this really that different from Verizon phones having Google services enabled by default (if that's even true -- I don't use Verizon). Why is Verizon spying on you any worse, or better than Google or Facebook? No one should spy on you. Period.

The reason why I'm okay with Google, but not Verizon spying on me is because I pay Verizon but I don't pay Google. Verizon shouldn't have to sell my data for more money because they already charge money for their service. If their service is too expensive then Verizon can charge more money. However Google gives me services for free so I expect they'll sell my data to other companies.

Re: Verizon announces plans to install a download-tracking app on its Android phones

#19

Post by mtgx »

swiley wrote: post #11

When people say it's no big deal that Android is hard fot the user to compile, control, and modify, remember this.

Ironically, this is mainly happening because Android is so "open" (to carriers and OEMs). Android's openness was never intended to be for users (if we're talking licenses and such, not feature-wise, which is just a design decision Google makes, like whether or not to have more advanced camera menus, and so on).

It's hard to say whether Google would sell everyone's Android's data anyway, if it had 100% control over Android, but I imagine it wouldn't let carriers or OEMs add whatever tracking apps they wanted on the devices.

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