Google collects metadata from Android phones

Related question: given how short supported update cycles for Android devices are, which of the sub 100EURO Android phones on AliExpress are a reasonable choice in terms of installing an Android fork? I'm eyeing a cheap phone because I expect to buy another one in less than 2 years because of update support politics.

Re: Google collects metadata from Android phones

#5

Post by tshtf » Fri, Jul 01, 2016, 2:09 PM UTC

Is the calling or called number only passed when "Caller ID by Google" is enabled?

https://support.google.com/nexus/answer/3459196?hl=en

Re: Google collects metadata from Android phones

#6

Post by thewavelength » Fri, Jul 01, 2016, 2:09 PM UTC

Does someone really wonder about that?

Re: Google collects metadata from Android phones

#7

Post by akerro » Fri, Jul 01, 2016, 2:09 PM UTC

cm3 wrote: post #3

Is there an Android fork where this isn't a problem and which you could suggest?

Depending on how it is implemented. If it's coded into Android OS that's a bigger problem, if it's included in Gapps, you can just remove them of block their connections on firewall.

If I correctly understand `Last modified: June 28, 2016, they are writing`, this feature should not be available before that date, so either it comes as an update to a gapps or to Android.

Re: Google collects metadata from Android phones

#8

Post by cm3 » Fri, Jul 01, 2016, 2:10 PM UTC

thewavelength wrote: post #6

Does someone really wonder about that?

Definitely not since we've learned that (some) webpages send each keystroke while on the login page.

Re: Google collects metadata from Android phones

#9

Post by akerro » Fri, Jul 01, 2016, 2:11 PM UTC

tshtf wrote: post #5

Is the calling or called number only passed when "Caller ID by Google" is enabled? https://support.google.com/nexus/answer/3459196?hl=en

Looks like a different `spying` mechanism. The one described in the article also sends metadata about texts.

Re: Google collects metadata from Android phones

#10

Post by ocdtrekkie » Fri, Jul 01, 2016, 2:12 PM UTC

cm3 wrote: post #3

Is there an Android fork where this isn't a problem and which you could suggest?

Part of the problem is the large percentage of apps that are now tied to proprietary Android, and won't run without Google Apps installed. Even Microsoft apps like Outlook and Skype won't load without Google Play Services installed. (The version of Skype on the Amazon Appstore is around a year old, and won't even take my login credentials.)

So even if you find a relatively safe Android version to use, you're getting a heavily gimped experience where a very limited selection of apps work. (Generally, what you find on F-Droid.)