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Google to turn on activity tracking for many users who turned it off

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Re: Google to turn on activity tracking for many users who turned it off

#11
post #5

What is going on inside Google? Far worse search results recently, verbal ads during Maps navigation directions, and stuff like this. Do they see some writing on the wall (eu pressure?) and they’re squeezing as much as they can while it’s an option?

Verbal ads during navigation?! I haven't really been driving anywhere new since covid started so I must have missed it. What are they like? "Take the next exit for a delicious Big Mac!"

Re: Google to turn on activity tracking for many users who turned it off

#12
post #6

Dear Google: you are becoming less likable by the second. For a long time you were the champion of user experience and you forced a lot of sleazy products to change or go out of business. Recently, it's like you've systematically discovered every dark pattern your evangelists once scorned. Please, please flip the don't be evil bit back to on. Evil Google is not very likable.

They are monopolizing evil too now!!

Re: Google to turn on activity tracking for many users who turned it off

#13
post #3
post #2

That reads as "too many users were disabling our creepy shit, so we're re-enabling it!"

YouTube recently did the same with autoplay. I hate autoplay with a passion, and watching the setting suddenly turn itself on again made me incoherently angry.

I had that last week.. I thought I turned on by mistake as they made too close to navigation bar and other buttons..

Re: Google to turn on activity tracking for many users who turned it off

#14
Use LineageOS+microG and (at the very least) Aurora Store on your phone. Use Firefox containers to sequester all Google services away from your other activity. Of course, use uBlock Origin. Achieve near total peace of mind when faced with things like this.

Soon, I want to unsubscribe from all YouTube channels and move them over to RSS. I'll use a third-party YouTube client to watch videos queued from my feeds. Then, gradually replace the YouTube feeds with equivalent PeerTube/other feeds, since some creators I follow are doing that. I am thinking Brave Search might be a good replacement for Google as well. After this, I may not even need the Firefox container.

Re: Google to turn on activity tracking for many users who turned it off

#15
post #5

What is going on inside Google? Far worse search results recently, verbal ads during Maps navigation directions, and stuff like this. Do they see some writing on the wall (eu pressure?) and they’re squeezing as much as they can while it’s an option?

A gigantic pile of cash yet no world changing ideas to throw money at. No big ideas. Google is essentially search and ads today. Nothing more.

A series of startups will begin to cut away at the fat and the cycle will continue.

Re: Google to turn on activity tracking for many users who turned it off

#16

The fact that they're doing this should tell you all you need to know about Google's sense of integrity - or rather, total lack thereof. What ever happened to "Don't be evil"?

They got rid of that tagline with project Dragonfly

Re: Google to turn on activity tracking for many users who turned it off

#17
post #9

So glad I switched to Duck Duck Go two months ago. Another reason to wean myself completely off Google products.

I've been on ddg for years now. The only time I have to use Google is when I'm hunting for very specific memes from years ago.

Re: Google to turn on activity tracking for many users who turned it off

#18
post #5

What is going on inside Google? Far worse search results recently, verbal ads during Maps navigation directions, and stuff like this. Do they see some writing on the wall (eu pressure?) and they’re squeezing as much as they can while it’s an option?

Verbal ads during navigation?! I haven't really been driving anywhere new since covid started so I must have missed it. What are they like? "Take the next exit for a delicious Big Mac!"

"Turn after the Dunkin Donuts on the right onto Maple Street"

Re: Google to turn on activity tracking for many users who turned it off

#19

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Verbal ads during navigation?! I haven't really been driving anywhere new since covid started so I must have missed it. What are they like? "Take the next exit for a delicious Big Mac!"

"Turn after the Dunkin Donuts on the right onto Maple Street"

This has been in my app for a couple years - I hate it every time. Not only is it very clearly advertising, it's nearly always useless because the restaurant/whatever is barely or not at all visible on the approach to the turn. It's pretty clear they're going for paid landmarks, not useful ones (though I don't like landmark-directions either way).

Re: Google to turn on activity tracking for many users who turned it off

#20
post #6

Dear Google: you are becoming less likable by the second. For a long time you were the champion of user experience and you forced a lot of sleazy products to change or go out of business. Recently, it's like you've systematically discovered every dark pattern your evangelists once scorned. Please, please flip the don't be evil bit back to on. Evil Google is not very likable.

For me, the very extensive track record you allude to is more than enough to convince me that Google's never flipping the "don't be evil" bit back on. It's gone. Done. Sayonara. Adios. Bon voyage. Kaput. Fin. Au revoir.

Good riddance to bad rubbish.

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