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Android launches yet another way to spy on users with “Privacy Sandbox” beta

arstechnica.com

51–60 of 156 posts

Re: Android launches yet another way to spy on users with “Privacy Sandbox” beta

#51
post #23

I've been staunchly on the Android side of the Android / iOS question, but this carry-on with refusing to block tracking like Apple has done is really making me consider switching.

> refusing to block tracking

You realize that Apple is still doing the tracking, just not allowing third parties?

Re: Android launches yet another way to spy on users with “Privacy Sandbox” beta

#53
post #50

Earlier quoted context omitted.

But Privacy Sandbox seems legitimately bad. How is pointing that out clickbait? It's okay to criticize a technology company, even — or perhaps especially — if it is the manufacturer of a device one uses.

You're missing the forest for the trees - it's the pattern we're commenting on. ArsTechnica (with Ron Amadeo as Android author) has a consistent history of hit pieces in this area that's easy to see - even when it comes to hardware reviews theirs standout as especially negative in comparison to everyone else. Is Privacy Sandbox really a lie and bad? Who knows, ArsTechnica will be biased against it either way so you n…

Ron has such a weird mix of being the only guy willing to state the obvious and being completely unhinged. Like he's willing to state that curved screens and camera notches and no headphone jack are stupid, but he also consistently says whatever Pixel is newest is the best android phone ever despite usually not being more than 72 hours away from Ars Technica posting a story about whatever batshit insane hardware fault the Pixel is currently suffering from.

Re: Android launches yet another way to spy on users with “Privacy Sandbox” beta

#54

Nonsense like this makes me happy to be on GrapheneOS.

I just tried GrapheneOS yesterday. Installation on my new phone was a breeze, but once I was in, there was... Nothing. The "Apps" app, which I assumed was an alternative to the Google Play store, had literally nothing except a link to install Google Play services.

So I installed that and the Play store, which, due to GrapheneOS's sandboxing, was probably better than the stock Android. But it didn't even work well. Plenty of apps I tried to install wouldn't. After about 3hrs of playing with it, I said "fuck it," and flashed the stock Android back onto the phone.

I really want to switch, but that was far too much work.

Re: Android launches yet another way to spy on users with “Privacy Sandbox” beta

#55
post #34

I have been using LineageOS on old Pixels/LG phones for over a year and half now. So far no real problems and it is hella lot faster then the stock Android they came with. I find my needs really just sit between a dumb phone and all the gadgets and software of the latest smartphones - if it can call, run a chat messenger, snap an occasional photo that's really about it.

For a pixel I would highly recommend GrapheneOS

Re: Android launches yet another way to spy on users with “Privacy Sandbox” beta

#56
post #51
post #23

I've been staunchly on the Android side of the Android / iOS question, but this carry-on with refusing to block tracking like Apple has done is really making me consider switching.

> refusing to block tracking You realize that Apple is still doing the tracking, just not allowing third parties?

It would increase the privacy of Google products if they blocked third-party tracking on their devices. It would be more private still if Google didn't do their own tracking but that is still a separate point.

Re: Android launches yet another way to spy on users with “Privacy Sandbox” beta

#57
post #52

So, is this the return of FLoC[0]? They didn't get buy-in from other browsers, so they are doing it at OS level. Nice /s 0: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federated_Learning_of_Cohort...

Its even worse, its not replacing current tracking!

> On Android, the Privacy Sandbox tracking is in addition to all the usual individual tracking methods; it's not being pitched as an alternative to anything. The Privacy Sandbox on Android is toothless, and Google has no plans to reduce tracking on Android.

Re: Android launches yet another way to spy on users with “Privacy Sandbox” beta

#58
post #23

I've been staunchly on the Android side of the Android / iOS question, but this carry-on with refusing to block tracking like Apple has done is really making me consider switching.

I'm considering one of the Linux phones, don't use many apps anyway. I know that's a hard sell for most but it's becoming a real option even for normal users.

I would recommend a Pixel with GrapheneOS or calyx.

You get the usability of Android with (optional)sandboxes google services/microg.

Almost all apps work and its really usable.

Re: Android launches yet another way to spy on users with “Privacy Sandbox” beta

#59

Ron Amadeo is so relentlessly critical of Google I've stopped reading his articles. Overall I find coverage on Ars to be pretty good but he really seems to have an axe to grind.

What? What is false in this article? Its better then believing google lies, it doesn't even replace current tracking!

> party tracking cookies in Chrome once the system rolls out. On Android, the Privacy Sandbox tracking is in addition to all the usual individual tracking methods; it's not being pitched as an alternative to anything. The Privacy Sandbox on Android is toothless, and Google has no plans to reduce tracking on Android.

Re: Android launches yet another way to spy on users with “Privacy Sandbox” beta

#60

Nonsense like this makes me happy to be on GrapheneOS.

I just tried GrapheneOS yesterday. Installation on my new phone was a breeze, but once I was in, there was... Nothing. The "Apps" app, which I assumed was an alternative to the Google Play store, had literally nothing except a link to install Google Play services. So I installed that and the Play store, which, due to GrapheneOS's sandboxing, was probably better than the stock Android. But it didn't even work well. Pl…

One tip, use Aurora store instead of Google play, after that everything will work fine.

GrapheneOS developers aren't really the most considerate of beginners.

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