New study: Google manipulates users into constant tracking
forbrukerradet.no
New study: Google manipulates users into constant tracking
1–10 of 463 posts
Re: New study: Google manipulates users into constant tracking
#2Definitely. I think the initial setup of an android phone is pretty similar to that of windows 10. You have to read everything very carefully to avoid all the dark patterns and hidden consents for tracking.
Re: New study: Google manipulates users into constant tracking
#3"If you have something that you don't want anyone to know, maybe you shouldn't be doing it in the first place."
Eric Schmidt, 2009
Re: New study: Google manipulates users into constant tracking
#4I tried using Google Maps without search history turned on. It's basically a downgraded version. They tied saving locations with the search history, so it won't let you search for friends' contacts, set a home address, etc. Is it on purpose? I don't know, but I find it weird that they would tie some unrelated features together. Why does setting a Home address require search history?
Re: New study: Google manipulates users into constant tracking
#5This is scary stuff. Thank you norway for taking the fight against Google.
How can you turn this off on an android?
Re: New study: Google manipulates users into constant tracking
#6They constantly berate you to deactivate no tracking preferences on google maps. When you're aware of this fact you start seeing it everywhere, not just on google. For example, on Pinterest they will berate you to sign up using highlighted buttons on land, and the x button is out of the way on the top right corner.
This end result is due to product managers/devs looking at conversion rates and optimizing for whatever their metric of success is, which in this case is creating accounts and users being more "engaged" with the platform. 3 or 4 rounds of A/B testing and you get the most efficient (read: manipulative) method of getting users "engaged". There may be no intention of manipulation but using empirical evidence to achieve your metric of success will tend to make your product manipulative.
Re: New study: Google manipulates users into constant tracking
#7"If you have something that you don't want anyone to know, maybe you shouldn't be doing it in the first place." Eric Schmidt, 2009
Those who have nothing to hide have nothing to fear.
(edit, I'm posting this in support of the parent comment, as it has overtones of this famously chilling phrase)
Re: New study: Google manipulates users into constant tracking
#8The thing that drives me nuts is (at least last time I set them up) Google Home and Android Auto both require Location and Web Activity permissions at an account level. I don't understand why Google just can't offer a subset of functionality on these devices rather than forcing you to have enable these permissions.
Re: New study: Google manipulates users into constant tracking
#9This is scary stuff. Thank you norway for taking the fight against Google. How can you turn this off on an android?
iOS is becoming more attractive by the day.
Re: New study: Google manipulates users into constant tracking
#10Honestly tired of Europe pretending like they are so high and mighty for flagging tech companies for "privacy violations." Frankly it's insulting to say that adults cannot decide for themselves how they want their data used. At this point, users know if you turn on Google tracks you. It is worth it to many for the convenience of quality results Google delivers. If it isn't turn it off. But to say it is Google's fault is nonsense.