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Android Cellphones Privacy Security

Study Reveals Android Phones Constantly Snoop On Their Users (bleepingcomputer.com) 113

Posted by BeauHD from the always-watching dept.
A new study (PDF) by a team of university researchers in the UK has unveiled a host of privacy issues that arise from using Android smartphones. BleepingComputer reports: The researchers have focused on Samsung, Xiaomi, Realme, and Huawei Android devices, and LineageOS and /e/OS, two forks of Android that aim to offer long-term support and a de-Googled experience. The conclusion of the study is worrying for the vast majority of Android users: "With the notable exception of /e/OS, even when minimally configured and the handset is idle these vendor-customized Android variants transmit substantial amounts of information to the OS developer and also to third parties (Google, Microsoft, LinkedIn, Facebook, etc.) that have pre-installed system apps." As the summary table indicates, sensitive user data like persistent identifiers, app usage details, and telemetry information are not only shared with the device vendors, but also go to various third parties, such as Microsoft, LinkedIn, and Facebook. And to make matters worse, Google appears at the receiving end of all collected data almost across the entire table.

It is important to note that this concerns the collection of data for which there's no option to opt-out, so Android users are powerless against this type of telemetry. This is particularly concerning when smartphone vendors include third-party apps that are silently collecting data even if they're not used by the device owner, and which cannot be uninstalled. For some of the built-in system apps like miui.analytics (Xiaomi), Heytap (Realme), and Hicloud (Huawei), the researchers found that the encrypted data can sometimes be decoded, putting the data at risk to man-in-the-middle (MitM) attacks. As the study points out, even if the user resets the advertising identifiers for their Google Account on Android, the data-collection system can trivially re-link the new ID back to the same device and append it to the original tracking history. The deanonymization of users takes place using various methods, such as looking at the SIM, IMEI, location data history, IP address, network SSID, or a combination of these. In response to the report, a Google spokesperson said: "While we appreciate the work of the researchers, we disagree that this behavior is unexpected -- this is how modern smartphones work. As explained in our Google Play Services Help Center article, this data is essential for core device services such as push notifications and software updates across a diverse ecosystem of devices and software builds. For example, Google Play services uses data on certified Android devices to support core device features. Collection of limited basic information, such as a device's IMEI, is necessary to deliver critical updates reliably across Android devices and apps."
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Study Reveals Android Phones Constantly Snoop On Their Users

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  • Weasel wording (Score:5, Insightful)

    by PhrostyMcByte ( 589271 ) <phrosty@gmail.com> on Tuesday October 12, 2021 @09:33PM (#61886227) Homepage

    While we appreciate the work of the researchers, we disagree that this behavior is unexpected -- this is how modern smartphones work. As explained in our Google Play Services Help Center article, this data is essential for core device services such as push notifications and software updates across a diverse ecosystem of devices and software builds. For example, Google Play services uses data on certified Android devices to support core device features. Collection of limited basic information, such as a device's IMEI, is necessary to deliver critical updates reliably across Android devices and apps.

    I'm sure most of the data collected is actually used for normal device function. But, the spokesperson was careful to not say this is the _only_ thing your data is used for. This is their standard weasel-wording that pops up all over their OS any time you try to decline sharing data.

    • While we appreciate the work of the researchers, we disagree that this behavior is unexpected -- this is how modern smartphones work. As explained in our Google Play Services Help Center article, this data is essential for core device services such as push notifications and software updates across a diverse ecosystem of devices and software builds. For example, Google Play services uses data on certified Android devices to support core device features. Collection of limited basic information, such as a device's IMEI, is necessary to deliver critical updates reliably across Android devices and apps.

      I'm sure most of the data collected is actually used for normal device function. But, the spokesperson was careful to not say this is the _only_ thing your data is used for. This is their standard weasel-wording that pops up all over their OS any time you try to decline sharing data.

      Try declining their terms of service. They're pretty clear you have the right to do so, because they always ask for your permission. Let me know if you fail to experience the equivalent of electronic leprosy.

    • It got interesting when my Galaxy tab A started serving up ads and youtube suggestions based on stuff I had spoken aloud the day before, but never typed in anywhere. I got a clue real quick and put crazy-glue over the mic. And tape over the selfie cam.

      • You hear this sort of anecdote about alleged eavesdropping all the time, but I think it's more plausible that someone you were speaking to Googled the topic, and then Google decided to serve you ads based on your proximity to that individual.

        • This is closer to the truth. I've had the same thing happen, but I read a very interesting article the other day that explains things pretty well:

          https://www.mcnuttpartners.com... [mcnuttpartners.com]

          • Cute article, but fuck, that's a lot of white-washing.

            We'll see if they have the cojones to post a critical comment.

            Your comment is awaiting moderation.

            The only true way to stop being subject to social media marketing algorithms? Quit altogether.

            Could you expound a bit on how to do this? I am not a member of facebook, yet facebook keeps a "shadow profile" on me. My ad blockers find and block facebook scripts on more than 80% of websites I visit. And who knows how many other companies have shared data about me with facebook in transactions I know nothing about and have no control over.

            I would love to 'quit altogether' but I have yet to figure out how. So if you have a solution, do tell.

            Also, isn't it a bit disingenuous to pretend that some companies haven't been exposed doing exactly what you've described? Samsung and Vizio were both caught red-handed recording private conversations through their televisions. Facebook admitted that they recorded private conversations (though they promised they weren't using those recorded private conversations for "targeted marketing"). Apple, Amazon, and Google have all been found to be sending random audio - including things like very intimate moments - from their "smart" devices and phones back to themselves, without permission or warning.

            You paint a rosy picture, but I'm afraid it is not a very realistic one.

        • That would be very possible, but there is nobody else in the house. I live alone.

      • and tinfoil on your head.

    • Re: (Score:3)

      by DarkOx ( 621550 )

      core device services such as push notifications and software updates

      Yeah I am not buying it. "core device services" can be almost anything, and probably 99% is nothing the consumer wants. Why do need that telemetry for software updates? The only data you conceivably *need* for software updates is the current installed versions Android SDK version, and device model. You don't actually *need* much of that. Easy enough to have the phone query some play store API for package-id, versions greater than X.Y.Z? The API responds with "the listing of higher versions and their minimum

  • Google's business model (Score:5, Insightful)

    by khchung ( 462899 ) on Tuesday October 12, 2021 @10:03PM (#61886287) Journal

    Anyone who is surprised by this must be completely ignorant of Google's business model.

    Google is an advertising company specializing in using big data to deliver ads, data about people is the lifeblood of Google. Passing up any opportunity to collect more data about more people is anathema to Google's existence, and it is surely ingrained into every Google employee that they should aim to collect, collect and collect more data.

    Asking Google not to collect your data is the same as asking Google employees not to get paid.

    • Re: (Score:3, Insightful)

      by Ostracus ( 1354233 )

      All the more reason to use an Apple phone since that's not their main business.

      • It doesn't make one squat of difference if it is their "main" business or not.

        They engage in the same business. They sell the same data about you.

        So you also bought your hardware only from one company. That's relevant how?

        • What is the evidence based on this? Because I haven't heard of apple selling your data at all... and who to? Because if you haven't noticed, Apple makes money on selling hardware. Not selling ads

        • It doesn't make one squat of difference if it is their "main" business or not.

          They engage in the same business. They sell the same data about you.

          So you also bought your hardware only from one company. That's relevant how?

          Prove it or STFU, Troll.

    • Just about every app developer of any size uses their apps to spy on you.

      • Re:Not just Google (Score:5, Insightful)

        by khchung ( 462899 ) on Wednesday October 13, 2021 @02:44AM (#61886753) Journal

        Just about every app developer of any size uses their apps to spy on you.

        And why would they if not for advertising companies willing to pay for the data collected?

        Writing code to collect telemetry, paying for server and bandwidth to receive telemetry, processing and storage the data, all of these costs money. No sane dev would do it unless there are companies ready and willing to pay for the data.

        It is the same with drugs. Effective control means hitting the supply chain, blaming the end points won't get you anywhere.

        • Re: (Score:2)

          by sheph ( 955019 )
          I think it's both. While it's true without companies paying to consume the data the problem wouldn't exist it's also true that users willing to blindly surrender their privacy for the latest shiny contribute to the problem as well. Just like your drug analogy. Without suppliers the problem wouldn't exist, but if there was no one willing to buy it the suppliers would dry up and blow away. Both need to exist for the business model to work. We as the end users have the most power over what we choose to sh

          • Re: (Score:2)

            by jvkjvk ( 102057 )

            If you are asking for a change in human nature, all i can say is "good luck". Otherwise, what type of change can we make to the user side of the equation?

  • Democracy and freedom are not new concepts. But they/it never lasts long. If you want it picture of the future, imagine a boot stomping on a human face. For the next thousand years/forever, what's the difference at this point?

  • LineageOS (Score:5, Informative)

    by WaffleMonster ( 969671 ) on Tuesday October 12, 2021 @10:19PM (#61886313)

    This report is a bit misleading. They installed LineageOS *and* Google malware. LineageOS does not come with Google malware that is a separate package.

    "LineageOS build 17.1-20210316, opengapps 10.0-nano-2021031"

    For /eOS they used MicroG.

    So really what they are comparing is MicroG with Google Apps.

    Personally if I went thru the trouble of installing LineageOS I'm not going to ruin it by also intentionally installing Google malware.

    • Re:LineageOS (Score:5, Insightful)

      by aqui ( 472334 ) on Tuesday October 12, 2021 @11:00PM (#61886393)

      The other point missed by the article is that if you run lineage OS even with opengapps (or even Stock) if you also run a decent firewall (properly configured) with root permissions, that can provide application level access control you can eliminate leaked data for applications that don't need access, and significant reduce leaked data for applications that need connectivity (by limiting when they can access the net).

      If you don't have root access on your phone even then you can reduce the leaking by making use of firewalls that pretend to be a VPN. I've used Netguard on phones where I don't have root, and could at least limit application level leaked info.

      If you're curious what is being leaked you can also turn on logging in the firewall.

      The key thing to realize is your phone is a computer... if you're concerned about "leaking" you should also take a careful look at your laptop or desktop running windows and phoning home.

      What we need is legislation about privacy and data collection, with steep fines that make it unprofitable if caught... I hope we will start to see laws catch up some what in the next 5 years ( likely not in the US, but in Europe and elsewhere).

      • Re:LineageOS (Score:5, Interesting)

        by WaffleMonster ( 969671 ) on Wednesday October 13, 2021 @12:08AM (#61886545)

        The other point missed by the article is that if you run lineage OS even with opengapps (or even Stock) if you also run a decent firewall (properly configured) with root permissions, that can provide application level access control you can eliminate leaked data for applications that don't need access, and significant reduce leaked data for applications that need connectivity (by limiting when they can access the net).

        FWIW LineageOS has per application network access controls built in. Root not required.

      • The other point missed by the article is that if you run lineage OS even with opengapps (or even Stock) if you also run a decent firewall (properly configured) with root permissions, that can provide application level access control you can eliminate leaked data for applications that don't need access, and significant reduce leaked data for applications that need connectivity (by limiting when they can access the net).

        So, what you are saying is that if you have no life and spend hours on end configuring and maintaining a fucking Firewall on your phone, you can have a kinda-sorta device that kinda-sorta rapes you kinda-sorta less brutally.

        Or, you can just get an iPhone and get on with your life without all the data-sucking.

        Prove me wrong, I dare you.

    • The problem with Lineage is that the official version of the distro does not support signature spoofing, making troublesome to properly install microG. Fortunately "Lineage OS for microG" fork exists.

    • Re: (Score:2)

      by thmass ( 8856821 )
      LineageOS is NOT google free out of the box. /e/ os is. AOSP, from which LineageOS pulls sources still has "call to google" parts (gps, dns, ntp, google synchronisation services..). Those parts when removed from LineageOS sources then becomes /e/ os. Source: https://e.foundation/wp-conten... [e.foundation].
      • I don't think that's completely accurate. I know lineage doesn't use the Google sync services unless you install gapps. You also don't have Google play store either.

      • LineageOS is NOT google free out of the box. /e/ os is. AOSP, from which LineageOS pulls sources still has "call to google" parts (gps, dns, ntp, google synchronisation services..). Those parts when removed from LineageOS sources then becomes /e/ os. Source: https://e.foundation/wp-conten [e.foundation]....

        Personally not a fan of e/OS substituting Google's services for someone else's services the only difference is in who runs them. I just want a pocket sized computer that does what I want. Don't need my contacts and data synchronized to someone else's servers. Exporting data or creating a full system image backup is simple and takes little time.

        When I get a new phone have a list of things that are changed like firewalling webview and anything else with no reason to access network, disable captive portal d

        • Don't need my contacts and data synchronized to someone else's servers. Exporting data or creating a full system image backup is simple and takes little time.

          Then it doesn't much matter which Android derivative you use. Just don't put a Google account on it.
          I've been using Android since 2.3.6 Gingerbread, and never put a Google account on a device. It saves data, saves storage, and saves privacy.

    • This report is a bit misleading. They installed LineageOS *and* Google malware.

      So they installed LineageOS and the packages which are needed to make a smartphone functional.

      Don't delude yourself with clever words like "Google malware". A smartphone needs more than just an OS or you may as well go and buy a old Nokia 3310. Finding a list of apps that makes a phone smart rather than just being a big screen which can make calls, play music and show you an internet page which *doesn't* collect your data is nearly impossible.

      I went through the trouble of installing LineageOS, and used Goog

      • Re: (Score:2)

        by Fruit ( 31966 )

        Don't delude yourself with clever words like "Google malware". A smartphone needs more than just an OS or you may as well go and buy a old Nokia 3310. Finding a list of apps that makes a phone smart rather than just being a big screen which can make calls, play music and show you an internet page which *doesn't* collect your data is nearly impossible.

        While that is ostensibly true, that does not mean that opengapps is the only way to get there. You could install microG like /e/ does, or use Aurora.

        I went through the trouble of installing LineageOS, and used Google's apps. Why wouldn't I? The benefit of Lineage isn't some anti google bullshit, it's to get Android free from Samsung, or LG, or whoever made your phone's fuckery.

        I installed LineageOS explicitly to be delivered from Google.

      • Finding a list of apps that makes a phone smart rather than just being a big screen which can make calls, play music and show you an internet page which *doesn't* collect your data is nearly impossible.

        So list your requirements. What is LineageOS for microG missing that you require in order for your phone to be "smart"?

        • Syncing with my Google calendar and integrating with Google home for a start. ;-)

          • So get a Google phone since it and your other home devices like to listen and watch you, in addition to the data sharing.

            • There's more to a phone than the software. I wasn't interested in a Pixel, and the Samsung phone I went with had a bastardised version of Android on it. Lineage + Google's Apps made for a great alternative.

          • OK, so that's part of your definition of a smartphone. But this is a very individual thing. I've never wanted any kind of an online calendar; the local calendar on my phone is good enough for me. I don't have any need to use another device to look it up or add to it. And I never heard of Google home before.

            It seems a very restrictive definition to require a phone to use a specific list of services in order to be a smartphone.
            I think most people are looking for talk, text, email, web, and a few apps--maybe s

    • Re: (Score:2)

      by gweihir ( 88907 )

      Thanks, that is what I was looking for. Did not really make sense that /eOS would be better than LineageOS in this regard.

  • Google spokesperson said, madly cackling (Score:5, Funny)

    by sinij ( 911942 ) on Tuesday October 12, 2021 @10:39PM (#61886349)
    In response to the report, a Google spokesperson said: "While we are figuring why these researchers weren't preemptively banned from the Internet we now control, we disagree that this behavior is unexpected -- stealing your soul is how we designed our smartphones to work. As explained in our Google Play Services Terms of Services, on page 666, we now own your souls. For example, Google Baphomet services uses souls on certified Android devices to support core device features. Collection of limited soul information, such as a device's idolatry information, is necessary to deliver critical updates reliably across Android devices and apps."

  • When you get a free OS (Score:4, Insightful)

    by fod_dzug ( 6598790 ) on Tuesday October 12, 2021 @11:01PM (#61886395)
    You are the product. I used to hate Apple for charging so much more for their phones, now I'm really thinking it is worth it.

    • Re: (Score:3, Insightful)

      by thegarbz ( 1787294 )

      now I'm really thinking it is worth it.

      I too prefer the pot over the kettle. Personally I'm happier leaking data to Google than Apple looking over my shoulder to see if I happen to have an immoral picture on my phone.

      The reality is, everyone spies. The question is what they do with your info. Ending up in some database to get served ads vs being actively and specifically investigated and reported for content is the lesser of two evils in my eyes.

      • now I'm really thinking it is worth it.

        I too prefer the pot over the kettle. Personally I'm happier leaking data to Google than Apple looking over my shoulder to see if I happen to have an immoral picture on my phone.

        The reality is, everyone spies. The question is what they do with your info. Ending up in some database to get served ads vs being actively and specifically investigated and reported for content is the lesser of two evils in my eyes.

        Apple backtracked on the child-porn stuff. Funny that Slashdot never reported that, eh?

        • Why are you lying, Slashdot absolutely reported that [slashdot.org]. I say 'lying' because this is so easy to confirm with a simple search.
          But they merely delayed it, they didn't cancel it. It's clear they're just waiting for the controversy to cool down before pulling the trigger. They say this explicitly in their statement:

          [...] we have decided to take additional time over the coming months to collect input and make improvements before releasing these critically important child safety features.

          • Why are you lying, Slashdot absolutely reported that [slashdot.org]. I say 'lying' because this is so easy to confirm with a simple search.

            But they merely delayed it, they didn't cancel it. It's clear they're just waiting for the controversy to cool down before pulling the trigger. They say this explicitly in their statement:

            [...] we have decided to take additional time over the coming months to collect input and make improvements before releasing these critically important child safety features.

            Actually, I didn't see that article. Thanks for the update!

            But I am pretty sure that, after they saw all the pushback, they are just going to let this "feature" die on the vine.

        • Apple backtracked on the child-porn stuff. Funny that Slashdot never reported that, eh?

          Apple hasn't backtracked anything, they delayed it, they still intend to go through with it, and above all it was covered on Slashdot. I don't understand what is supposed to be funny about your ignorance.

    • Not so for LineageOS and /e/ (or however it's spelled).

  • Google is the surveillance state (Score:5, Insightful)

    by Required Snark ( 1702878 ) on Tuesday October 12, 2021 @11:24PM (#61886441)
    And of course so is Apple.

    They both track you 24/7, know how you spend money (if you use their payment apps), and keep track of your phone calls. And there is effectively no oversight of what they do with this information.

    What more could a surveillance state want from the masses?

    • Oddly enough, before the smartphone era, Ma Bell kept track of your phone calls too. And if you go back far enough, back in the days when calls were routed by the Operator (instead of automagically), the Operator listened in to any call she wanted to.

      So, what has changed? And why did you expect that anything you broadcast to be private and/or secret?

      • In the good old days of POTS (plain old telephone service) the phone company did not have geolocation data on individuals as they moved about in their daily lives. Cell phones provide this information even when no calls are being made. Given that phones are most often used by a single individual the level of tracking is unprecedented.

        Additionally both the OS and the apps collect/leak vast amounts of personal information. Phone users don't know exactly what is collected and have basically no control over wh

  • Google bad (Score:5, Insightful)

    by Uldis Segliņš ( 4468089 ) on Tuesday October 12, 2021 @11:32PM (#61886455)
    Yeah right, Google play needs all that identification to deliver apps or updates. Why don't such programs on PCs require that as necessary effect? Why can apt or any other package manager provide that functionality and not require SIM, IMEI, phone number, your phonebook, GPS locations, dikpics and G knows what else? Google should burn in GDPR flames and pay 4% of their worth cause of this. This bullshit is not opt in, it is undenyably opt out and then loose core functions of a system. Which have no relation and necessity for me, so all the 'smartfones are like that' is just because big bully has made it so. Like bragging to slaves about their state - it is what the world is in 1600, get back to work, provide me with that sweet sweet sugarcane infonectar.

  • The Solution to Better Phone Privacy is Simple (Score:5, Interesting)

    by theshowmecanuck ( 703852 ) on Tuesday October 12, 2021 @11:38PM (#61886459) Journal

    Don't use a 'smart phone'. If you need instant communication, an old school flip phone works quite well. The truth we overlook is that we don't really need smart phones. You can get by quite easily with just a purpose built phone if you really want to more privacy. You get more and better information density with a voice call instead of texting. Sure, smartphones have some nice features but as much as some would like to rail, none of them are essential to living. I think people were better connected to other people and the world in general before everyone became glued to their phones. There is so much detrimental to using all those apps all the time, and the pressure of believing you have to be connected 100% of the time, that lack of privacy is probably the least of their issues. So really, this article is basically useless in a real sense.

    • Re:The Solution to Better Phone Privacy is Simple (Score:5, Insightful)

      by Tony Isaac ( 1301187 ) on Wednesday October 13, 2021 @12:40AM (#61886607) Homepage

      When I was a kid, we all lived entirely without computers, or cell phones of any kind. I certainly don't want to go back to that life!

      Sure, you can live without a smartphone. But most of us don't WANT to.

      • Not saying don't live without computers. They've kind of grown on us. But we really don't need smart phones. And if you really WANT one, I'd say don't bitch if it is smart enough to spy on you. I have one, but honestly I don't understand why I pay more for a phone that is obsoleted in a few years that I can do less on than with a computer. Especially when I don't use it for more than email and some text messaging. I have no use for most of the apps that are on it. I'd rather talk to real people than make be

        • I don't bitch about my phone spying on me. Being spied on is a given, whether you use a smart or dumb phone.

          Every store you shop at, is spying on you. Your employer spies on you. Every web site you visit on your desktop computer, spies on you. Every step you take down a city street is caught on dozens of cameras. Even your dumb phone pings cell towers constantly, and tracks your location. This spying started long before the PC was a thing. The only way to live without being spied on, is to rough it in the w

      • Re: (Score:1)

        by Anonymous Coward

        You said it yourself, it's a want, not a need.

        • Of course! You obviously WANT a desktop computer, because you apparently used one to post this comment. That desktop computer is just as surely spying on you, as any smartphone.

      • Same here. 1960's, 70's, and 80's. I think going back would spark a massive improvement in humanity, though. People would actually learn how to be with each other again instead of trolling for attention and hating each other based on symbol manipulation.

        • We all view the "good old days" with affection, don't we.

          I don't think they were better days. There were things that were better, and other things that were worse.

          • I actually do think they were better days. And it's not just nostalgia. The world has gone to shit since then in many subtle ways, much of which would change if people actually had to interact face to face. For example, you did not have the current levels of extremism in politics, nor did you have mass shootings let alone in schools.

            • And it's not just nostalgia.

              Yes, it's your lack of information, not nostalgia.

              Our "Current levels of extremism in politics" is normal. We literally fought a civil war. There have been multiple times where a Congressperson assaulted or killed another Congressperson. Tulsa was burned to the ground, with plenty of mass shootings while it happened. "Bleeding Kansas" happened. Here's a list of mass shootings [wikipedia.org] that goes back to the 1920s.

              The fact that you know about our political divisions now doesn't mean those divisions are new. Only

              • This.

                As we grow up, we all become more aware of the imperfections of the world around us. When we were young, our parents and our naivete shielded us into blissfully believing that the world was a good place. It wasn't.

    • Don't use a 'smart phone'. If you need instant communication, an old school flip phone works quite well.

      This used to be the case, but it is becoming harder to "just use an old school phone." The 2G network has been turned off in many areas, and 3G is soon to follow. This will make genuinely old phones unusable.

      Sure, there are modern, new phones that work like old phones (usually targeted at seniors) but under their skin, these tend to run android. This is one example I'm familiar with: https://www.opelmobile.com.au/... [opelmobile.com.au]

      As well as potentially leaking everything you do to Google, running android (even a cut-do

    • Don't use a 'smart phone'. If you need instant communication, an old school flip phone works quite well. The truth we overlook is that we don't really need smart phones

      We don't need TV remotes either. We use them because they make our lives better, easier, more convenient. You don't need supermarkets either. Go live in the country off the land. Grow your own food. Make an Apple pie from scratch, don't use cake mix.

      The world is full of things we don't "need" but actively choose to do because the alternative is an inefficiency we actively chose to do without.

    • Re: (Score:3)

      by Misagon ( 1135 )

      One problem is all those services, such as online banking, that require two-factor authentication. And where two-factor authentication is only available through a smartphone app on a more recent version of iOS or Android. The app developers do not develop for any other smartphone OS as they don't have enough marketshare, and the apps require a recent version because of security updates.

      So far, I've been able to live without using these apps, but I have had to jump through hoops as regular tried and true way

  • Personal computing doesn't exist (Score:5, Interesting)

    by NotEmmanuelGoldstein ( 6423622 ) on Wednesday October 13, 2021 @12:19AM (#61886573)
    A Samsung update installed Facebook and a year later another update removed it. The latest update has Samsung Chat repeatedly demanding my phone number of all things and a swipe in the wrong direction begins installing Samsung FREE. Then Google update harasses me to install the latest version of some unnecessary applet. Richard Stallman is correct, propriety operating systems are being designed to disobey the user and serve corporate masters.

    • Why is Samsung bugging you and not me? I have a new Samsung phone, no Samsung Chat on it. I do seem to have Samsung Free, it's one of those apps that I've never run that just sits there, never sends me notifications, and never does anything. Why are you letting apps bug you, Android allows you to block Apps from notification privileges.

      And yes Google bugging you to update your apps is a good thing. I just logged into my Stallman sanctioned OS via SSH and you know what I was greeted with immediately above my

    • Re: (Score:2)

      by tsqr ( 808554 )

      It's very simple to disable Samsung Free. [guidingtech.com]

  • That was really a bullshit answer.

    Hey Google the vast majority of Americans have no fucking idea of what you are doing, and if they knew you would seriously feel the brunt if their blunt instruments.

    This really is the most disingenuous thing I've heard. My guess is a big class action suit soon.

  • Man, a LOT of posters are missing the point... (Score:3)

    by arQon ( 447508 ) on Wednesday October 13, 2021 @12:34AM (#61886599)

    Google saying that spyware is "core device services" is not news - the only "noteworthy" part of that comment is Google admitting it so bluntly.

    The "news" part of this is that basically EVERY app on an Android phone is ADDITIONAL spyware, and is always running even if never actually run by the user, and none of it can be stopped, let alone removed outright. That part is something that most people don't know, even if they do already know about *Google's* spyware. That's the difference.

  • iPhones spy on you too (Score:3)

    by Tony Isaac ( 1301187 ) on Wednesday October 13, 2021 @12:45AM (#61886617) Homepage

    What's the default search engine on iPhone/ Google, of course.
    What's the most popular iPhone maps app? Google Maps is virtually tied with Apple Maps for this honor.
    Just about every iPhone app out there is ad-supported, which means that it is spying on you.

    You can't hide just by using an iPhone.

  • Developing a full-featured mobile operating system costs hundreds of millions of not billions of $ a year and hundreds of highly skilled an paid engineers. And Google isn't doing this out of altruism, it needs to make money to keep its shareholders happy.

    Feel free to install an open-source version of Android or any other operating system. You'll quickly find out that most of these are subpar compared to Google's Android version. Depending on your modus operandi this may be acceptable, but for most people

  • Comment removed (Score:3)

    by account_deleted ( 4530225 ) on Wednesday October 13, 2021 @03:18AM (#61886805)
    Comment removed based on user account deletion

    • "this is how modern smartphones work."

      I hope Google is paying him a lot of money to sell his soul and lie like that.

    • Somebody mod this up. Best comment I've read today. But don't give up on privacy settings... at least the EU has some ability to push back. In the US we barely have any government types trying... well maybe now they've gotten around to it, but it took them 20 years.

  • An OS by an Ad company tracks users?
    Inconceivable!

  • MicroG + Root firewall and app disabling/removals and this goes away. A bit of a thing to set up. Once you do you're good for years. Can even be done to manufacturer roms.

  • Figures. Maybe I go back to a landline now..
  • If you're this concerned about your "privacy", why TF are you carrying a cellphone in the first place? You do realize that cellphone can be tracked by its pings to the nearest cell towers, right? That's how a f'ing cellphone works. You people want all the conveniences then cry and demand "privacy" that would break every convenience you want. And no, your Apple phone isn't any more "private".

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