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Google chief: I'd disclose smart speakers before guests enter my home

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121–130 of 573 posts

Re: Google chief: I'd disclose smart speakers before guests enter my home

#121
post #33

How is this even legal if wiretapping is illegal in many places?

I don't think there's anywhere where it's illegal to record conversations of both parties know about it.

California is a pretty relevant example.

Re: Google chief: I'd disclose smart speakers before guests enter my home

#123
post #43

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Why are you carving out Android instead of all smartphones? Also, you can turn off OK google in Android, although they don't make it as easy as they should.

I assume you ask that because you are aware that any device with the capabilities of a smartphone can be made into a powerful surveillance device by whoever the entity is that has control over it. I see variations of that argument very often. Its essence goes like this: A: This is a proven threat. B: But so could be this and that. A: Right, could be. B: But we can't get rid of them all, so let's just do nothing. Here…

Are you suggesting there's proof that Google Assistant on Android devices is always listening even if it's turned off in settings?

Re: Google chief: I'd disclose smart speakers before guests enter my home

#124
Not being funny but i have a nest and i don't remember anything i the set up about any microphone at all, also i don't remember anything about agreeing to share personal data.

I assumed it would be uploading usage and stats as nobody respects privacy but that is very different to actual recordings or images ffs.

i live in the EU so this seems a pretty clear breach of GDPR no? i would have needed individual opt in consent for each of these (i would have thought)

Re: Google chief: I'd disclose smart speakers before guests enter my home

#126
post #73

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Google has implemented this asshole design/nagware in many products to push unnecessary to me and invasive data collection or functionality I want won’t be available. For example, their maps app on iOS won’t save locations for me unless I sign in an enable web history tracking. I get prompted every time I try to save a pin as well as every once in a while I’m case I change my mind. It’s a free app and it’s Google’s p…

I think Google Maps not saving your history as you described is an incredibly bad, frustrating experience. FFS, my phone has gigs of RAM, why can’t Google Maps remember the address I searched for ten minutes ago? One minute ago? This is 2019. It has been this bad for a decade plus. Embarrassing IMO and demonstrates true UX myopia and true UX incompetence.

Normally I'd say "never attribute to malice that which can be explained by incompetence," but I really do think Google could fix this if they wanted to.

It still sucks because they don't want to fix it. Google makes their money off of people giving up info for ad targeting, and a user who only contributes one or two manually saved locations probably costs them more than they stand to gain.

Re: Google chief: I'd disclose smart speakers before guests enter my home

#127
post #16

Google could have the device say that it records conversations the moment it detects an unknown voice. Google could even ask that unknown voice for consent.

Didn't Nest want to create devices with cameras? It should just do face recognition to detect people who hasn't consented.. /s And just like clicking "I'm under 18" on porn sites takes you to disney.com, or "continuing to use this site means you accept cookies", if they don't consent, stuff connected to Google would stop working... "Ok Google, turn on the kitchen lights". "Operation failed with error undefined!"

What's the point of a security camera if it can't record strangers?

Re: Google chief: I'd disclose smart speakers before guests enter my home

#128
post #52
post #43

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I assume you ask that because you are aware that any device with the capabilities of a smartphone can be made into a powerful surveillance device by whoever the entity is that has control over it. I see variations of that argument very often. Its essence goes like this: A: This is a proven threat. B: But so could be this and that. A: Right, could be. B: But we can't get rid of them all, so let's just do nothing. Here…

They are most likely asking because the main competitor to Android devices also has an always listening assistant.

Capability, yes. Correct me if I'm wrong but I don't believe it's enabled by default?

Re: Google chief: I'd disclose smart speakers before guests enter my home

#129
post #115

I was a huge Google Fan but this is becoming lunacy. I understood trading some data and privacy for great search results, maps and free quality email. But people willingly bringing always on listening devices in to their homes (beyond what smartphones are already capable of) I just can't comprehend it. Why would people voluntarily do this in exchange for being able to ask for weather, play a playlist, add a todo and…

Do you own a cell phone?

Re: Google chief: I'd disclose smart speakers before guests enter my home

#130
post #115

I was a huge Google Fan but this is becoming lunacy. I understood trading some data and privacy for great search results, maps and free quality email. But people willingly bringing always on listening devices in to their homes (beyond what smartphones are already capable of) I just can't comprehend it. Why would people voluntarily do this in exchange for being able to ask for weather, play a playlist, add a todo and…

Do you own a cell phone?

Having a cell phone does not invalidate their legitimate critique.
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