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Google knows where we are, and so do advertisers

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Re: Google knows where we are, and so do advertisers

#211
post #127

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Last I checked Google didn't sell data to anyone either. I'm also interested in the claim that Apple Maps collects less data in this respect - they both report your current location for traffic analysis and have your day-to-day movement option available (the same that powers Find My Friends on iOS). Are you sure you're just not rationalizing Apples collection? It's kinda important to be realistic when it comes to pri…

> Last I checked Google didn't sell data to anyone either. If they allow advertising based on constraints on that data, they are selling it, albeit indirectly.

This is what I meant by selling data.

The only data I know of that they sell directly is to NSA where they provide access to data and get money for it. They are largely compelled to do this though and I expect anyone in the US with data would be forced to as well.

Interestingly since google could deanonymize if they wanted, I wonder if nowadays NSA is just sucking in all our profiles from google and then deanonymizing to have de facto profiles on every human on the planet.

Re: Google knows where we are, and so do advertisers

#212

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Sadly yes. It is probably a software component problem that bluetooth is bundled with location services, but without the separation from GPS, I have serious concerns about privacy, even if I think that I only use well behaved apps.

Bluetooth and location services being bundled is a policy decision by Google. If one has a database filled with historical correlations between bluetooth devices "in range" and GPS coordinates, it is possible to get a pretty accurate fix on someone's location from the current devices that are in range. This is the reason why Google has bundled Bluetooth and GPS in one permission. Of course, the very fact that these p…

It's practical and also Apple does, but it's confusing for most users. I wish both platform explaining why it's bundled on the screen. Maybe create a permission only able to connect specific OUI would be a solution?

Re: Google knows where we are, and so do advertisers

#214

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I installed GrapheneOS a few weeks ago. The first thing I said to someone that asked about it is "for the first time my phone isn't my enemy". OK the second thing was "but I can't do almost anything with it :D "

Many people would be fine with the trade-off _if they knew they have to/they could take it_. Google and the likes have made it very difficult for you to be even aware that was an option.

I don't agree. The information is there, even the YouTube algorithm (the last part of my life that isn't deggogled) is recommending me degoogling videos!

People just don't care enough, even among my fellow geeks I had to "battle" to get them to install Signal because I couldn't use WhatsApp anymore.

We are bombarded with news about revolting situations and at one point there's so much outrage one can take. So the Evil Big tech spying is very low on the list of most people especially since they don't see the damage.

Re: Google knows where we are, and so do advertisers

#215
post #204

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I did go from 0-100. Sorry - but I'm glad I caught your interest. If we were on a desert island, and I were to ask you to give me 40% of your income/produce and take out loans from me to buy your hut and donkey, you would rightly refuse. If I and 5 others where to do the same, you might consent, but you wouldn't think it was right. The system we have though - that no one asked for or signed into - is a system people…

Your comment is hopelessly naive. There will always be grifters, conmen, thieves, etc and anarchy only empowers them. Every nice place in the world is one with a well functioning , transparent and accountable hierarchy. Your "solution" doesn't scale to millions of people.

I think the opposite ie that every nice place in the world is destroyed by a well functioning hierarchy. Say Romania, where you had lots of small agriculture - when they joined the EU, big agra moves in and as part of the agricultural policies, small farms are converted to big ones, that follow the worst agricultural practise. This is by design. Where you had unique expressions, once the system is in place, what you have is well-ordered people and Starbucks. It is based in fear. It is not our natural state.

Hierarchies are not transparent. If you are in a corporation, do you know what you boss is aiming for? What his boss's targets are? None of them are accountable. They would fire others in a sec if it was expedient for them. The system itself, makes people act daily like conmen, thieves. It turns people inside out - to take care of others is to fail financially - look at nursing.

Hopelessly naive is right. I don't care. I only have to answer to myself, and my heart and intuition. I don't want to be a part of the ever-increasing dystopia we are creating for ourselves. I judge for myself what is 'good' and act accordingly. I think that at the end of this experience we judge ourselves and our actions here. Our time here might not be all we experience. (Yes, I think the materialistic expression of our lives is a lie too.) I hope I am able to say I took the time to understand myself, to find out what's right, to have taken some actions in that direction. And I don't mean giving to so-called charitable organisations!

Re: Google knows where we are, and so do advertisers

#216

One of the most disappointing changes in Android recently is that any network-assisted geolocation plugins must now be installed as a system app, not a user app. That means that even if you use LineageOS where most Google stuff has been stripped out, getting a GPS fix through network assistance still sends data to Google servers. Only a tiny minority of users are comfortable working with the command line and will ins…

I invite you to try iodéOS, where they stripped out Google's DNS & SUPL servers, and allow you to directly select the location module of your choice ..

Does iodéOS disable sending the IMSI along with all SUPL requests? [0]

What about A-GPS MSA handling? [1]

[0] https://review.lineageos.org/c/LineageOS/android_frameworks_... [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A-GPS#Modes_of_operation

Re: Google knows where we are, and so do advertisers

#217
post #216

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I invite you to try iodéOS, where they stripped out Google's DNS & SUPL servers, and allow you to directly select the location module of your choice ..

Does iodéOS disable sending the IMSI along with all SUPL requests? [0] What about A-GPS MSA handling? [1] [0] https://review.lineageos.org/c/LineageOS/android_frameworks_... [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A-GPS#Modes_of_operation

[deleted]

Re: Google knows where we are, and so do advertisers

#218
post #216

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I invite you to try iodéOS, where they stripped out Google's DNS & SUPL servers, and allow you to directly select the location module of your choice ..

Does iodéOS disable sending the IMSI along with all SUPL requests? [0] What about A-GPS MSA handling? [1] [0] https://review.lineageos.org/c/LineageOS/android_frameworks_... [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A-GPS#Modes_of_operation

[deleted]

Re: Google knows where we are, and so do advertisers

#219
post #55

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Ugh, that's very disappointing then, I've always advised Lineage to people who wanted to deGoogle their phones :/

There's GrapheneOS if you have a Pixel 2+ or /e/ os for other phones.

/e/ is based on LineageOS, not even the latest at that, and searching on it a bit smells a bit of BS.

Re: Google knows where we are, and so do advertisers

#220
post #14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

At least Europe has made progress and prohibits the "it's in our 20 pages privacy statement" approach. The user must be explicitly informed and then provide consent. If it's unclear what you're consenting to, the consent isn't valid.

https://privacy.microsoft.com/en-us/privacystatement Yup. (Note: I went through an EU country in their region picker, went to sitemap and this is the URL I got).

You selected the US region according to the URL. But the point isn't that they can't have this privacy statement. The point is that it doesn't provide them the right to use your data.
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