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New study: Google manipulates users into constant tracking

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Re: New study: Google manipulates users into constant tracking

#31

Post by maxxxxx »

levesque wrote: post #4

I 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?

Yeah. Tying setting the home address to search history is pretty sleazy and there is no good explanation for this other than bullying people into turning on tracking. I am really getting tired of companies that want to suck up every piece of data.

Re: New study: Google manipulates users into constant tracking

#33

Post by Tepix »

ThomPete wrote: post #15

I for one are happy to be tracked so that my experience is optimal. Edit: I understand the potential issues and especially with someone like Google using it for other things. But I am more concerned about the backlash against using data to improve our world. There are many different areas which would be improved greatly from more data and would be to everyone's benefit. Personally I have always shared as much as I ca…

I hope you never suffer bad consequences of giving up your privacy.

Re: New study: Google manipulates users into constant tracking

#34

Post by maxxxxx »

levesque wrote: post #13
sf_rob wrote: post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

They appear to have fixed this in the past year. I had the same issue.

As of last month it still wasn't the case for me. In the end, I turned back search history on, I decided to pay the 'price' for the features.

That’s what they want and I am sure it’s very successful. Still very sleazy.

Re: New study: Google manipulates users into constant tracking

#35

Post by lbj »

At some point we need to sit down and map, exactly what kind of information can be extracted from which meta-data sets.

For instance, screen time is also sleeping habits, for some its toiletbreaks. If its toiletbreaks, its stomach/health related. Couple that with location, its eating habits and risk factors. Couple that with phonelogs its much much more.

Once we have that mapped out, we can do an honest evaluation of whats being tracked, because every extrapolation possible will at some point be turned into usable data (my theory).

Re: New study: Google manipulates users into constant tracking

#36

Post by levesque »

paganel wrote: post #26
levesque wrote: post #4

I 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?

> so it won't let you (...) set a home address That's a feature for me.

It's pretty useful when you use your phone a lot for navigation / GPS. Saves you a bunch of time, but true it does have the cost of letting Google know where you live (although there are so many other ways for them to get that information that I'm not worried about that part).

Re: New study: Google manipulates users into constant tracking

#37

Post by maxxxxx »

sf_rob wrote: post #8

The 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.

Thy can do this but they don’t want to.

Re: New study: Google manipulates users into constant tracking

#38

Post by dddddaviddddd »

levesque wrote: post #4

I 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?

Additionally hypocritical since turning location history back on will restore your home address — Google's been keeping it all along and just denying you access to it.

Re: New study: Google manipulates users into constant tracking

#39

Post by gdulli »

sborra wrote: post #19

Google Maps works just fine with the GPS from my phone's sensors, but _every single time_ I bring up the app, it asks me to enable device location and Google Location Services. I stubbornly (and maybe foolishly) keep opting out of every Google tracking option, it's crazy how annoying they are if you do this.

This happens to me too, various opt-in nags on both desktop and mobile. Using google maps has become a chore for me. I used to like going to the site or the app and browsing around for fun to learn about a new place. Now I only use it when I absolutely need to.

Re: New study: Google manipulates users into constant tracking

#40

Post by colde »

tossaccount123 wrote: post #21
baxtr wrote: post #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

https://wikileaks.org/google-is-not-what-it-seems/ A good read on Google and Eric Schmidt's relationship with the State Department and federal government in general "There was nothing politically hapless about Eric Schmidt. I had been too eager to see a politically unambitious Silicon Valley engineer, a relic of the good old days of computer science graduate culture on the West Coast"

I am not sure that is really a trustworthy source at this point. Particularly since it seems to focus a lot on involving Hillary.
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