New Google Privacy Policy

[zuben el genub]

As far as I understand, Google is only using your location to help you in traffic, appointments, alarms, etc... It doesn't sound to alarming yet.

Rooted the phone - maps, latitude are frozen. GPS off. (Simply don't use it.) Only location is by cell tower.
Will Google try to make me restore the junk?

 

[tylerdurden123]

Maybe because Apple's products work like new for 10+ years, when Windows and Android will be trash in a year or two. And because Steve Jobs says they don't track you and never will. I do know he is now dead, but I trust Apple products over all others because they don't break, or get hacked. When I bought my Android phone, I wasn't expecting this, that is all. And I think Verizon is going to have a hail storm on their hands because anyone with an android phone is having these changes forced upon them.

Oh and not to mention the apps that Apple exceeds Android with

 

[lunatic59]

Maybe because Apple's products work like new for 10+ years, when Windows and Android will be trash in a year or two. And because Steve Jobs says they don't track you and never will. I do know he is now dead, but I trust Apple products over all others because they don't break, or get hacked. When I bought my Android phone, I wasn't expecting this, that is all. And I think Verizon is going to have a hail storm on their hands because anyone with an android phone is having these changes forced upon them.

I think you are sadly mistaken. Apple tracks as much if not more user data than Google.

Apple's iPhones and Google's Androids Send Cellphone Location - WSJ.com

BBC News - iPhone tracks users' movements

South Koreans sue Apple over iPhone user data - Philly.com

Germany chimes in on Apple iPhone user data

Oh and not to mention the apps that Apple exceeds Android with

Other than games, there are very few Apple apps that don't have Android versions or equivalents. The converse is also true.


On a more official note: Please watch your language in the open forums. While you may not consider some terminology vulgar or offensive, many do. Please review the site rules if you have any questions.

 

[tylerdurden123]

Try creating music on an Android. Being a music producer, Apple's apps far exceed any of Android's... You have Fruity Loops, a Moog Synthesizer, etc. etc.

 

[Kicksilver]

I don't.

So makes no difference to me.

Android is totally wireless, that's the advantage.

 

[lunatic59]

Sorry, but you cannot continually make gross over generalizations without being called on it. While there are many iOS apps that have more features or slicker UI than their Android counterparts, the converse is also true. It is rather pointless to argue about it. If you find iOS apps to be suited for your needs and Android lacking, then your device path should be obvious.

You example made me giggle, however. "Fruity Loops" is now known as FL Studio and what you are specifically referring to is the mobile edition for iPhone. You might be surprised to know that an Android version is in the works. What I found even more comical is that there is no native OS X version for the studio app. If you want to run it on Apple Products you must use Boot Camp to run Windows Vista/7 or run it in a virtual machine.

If we can get past the hyperbole and discuss facts and features (keeping it civil for everyone's benefit), that would be of interest.

 

[appreviews]

Don't take this as Apple hate simply because i'm not praising them, but their privacy policies are really no different.

Google didn't so much change their privacy policy as merged all the different policies they had to have users agree to into one service, or at least that's the aim. If you think you didn't or won't agree to a similar policy when you get an iPhone you either didn't read it or might be in for a surprise. BTW you will also have to agree to Googles user agreement if you plan on using the maps function of iPhone since it's provided by Google Maps.

as for apple products lasing 10 years, my iPhone lasted less than 1 year and got terrible signal compared to my incredible S in this relatively rural area when it did work, which is what originally convinced me to switch to Android.

iPhone is a series of phones Android is a platform, yes there are crap android phones that can be picked up on the cheap and will act slow and clunky, but there are also phones that are designed to perform can compete with the likes of the iPhone.

 

[aysiu]

Maybe because Apple's products work like new for 10+ years, when Windows and Android will be trash in a year or two.

Do you own any Apple products? This sounds a lot like "the grass is greener..." wishful thinking. I have an iPod, two Macbook Pros, and an iPad. I assure you what you are saying is not true. But if buying an Apple product makes you happy, you should buy one.

 

[A.Nonymous]

Rooted the phone - maps, latitude are frozen. GPS off. (Simply don't use it.) Only location is by cell tower.
Will Google try to make me restore the junk?

If they do, you may have a gripe. If they don't, it's a non-issue.

 

[tcat007]

To be expected, Apple bashing in an Android forum... I'd hate to see what is said over at the Apple forums! Only reason I quite using Apple (20 years ago) was their poor reliability, and high cost. I must say their screens and graphics software are probably the best (or at least use to be), but Windows/Android has definitely caught up... at a much better price point.

 

[Nodders]

To be fair, this thread was starting by someone who had an issue with the privacy policy (which is fair enough), the precise details of which are unstated (which suggests they don't know what they are), and then in the next post or two starts noting that apple apps are way better than android in their opinion. If thats the case then it is pretty stupid to be leaving android because of a knee-jerk reaction to a change in privacy policy rather than because they brought into the wrong system. It's fair enough to prefer apple products over andxroid, or vice versa (without hearing the tired accusation of apple/android bashing)- we are of course allowed our own opinions, but the little notes to invoke response, without any supporting discussion or debate suggests a pretty obvious troll.

 

[aysiu]

To be expected, Apple bashing in an Android forum...

I haven't seen any Apple bashing here. People have basically just said Apple isn't any better than Android/Google, not that it's so much worse. The only bashing here has been on Android/Google by the OP.

See this is Android/Google bashing:

Apple products are far superior

Maybe because Apple's products work like new for 10+ years, when Windows and Android will be trash in a year or two.... I trust Apple products over all others because they don't break, or get hacked.

Oh and not to mention the apps that Apple exceeds Android with

Try creating music on an Android. Being a music producer, Apple's apps far exceed any of Android's...

Can you find me equivalent Apple bashing quotations in this thread? One person referred to Apple as evil. Pretty much all the other statements are "Apple isn't any better" and not "Apple is far inferior" or whatnot.

 

[Slug]

I will be leaving behind my android phone for the iPhone 4s because I do not accept Google's privacy policy

Sorry that you only just joined AF, to promptly leave the Android community so soon.

Merging this topic into the existing thread in The Lounge/Google, where it is on-topic.

 

[aysiu]

I'm far more concerned about quality of service than "privacy," since Google won't know anything more about me in March than it does now.

I don't like "smart" predictions. If I'm looking for something, I want to search for it and find it. I don't want Google trying to predict "Are you really looking for this?" or completing my search for me or giving me results they think are more personally relevant while obscuring results I may actually be looking for. This already happens with their stupid "instant search," which appears to be in full effect, even though I've turned it off in my Google search settings.

If I usually order pizza every Friday night, I don't want Google thinking I'm interested in only pizza places and then hiding Chinese food nearby when I search for restaurants, for example.

 

[A.Nonymous]

I'm far more concerned about quality of service than "privacy," since Google won't know anything more about me in March than it does now.

I don't like "smart" predictions. If I'm looking for something, I want to search for it and find it. I don't want Google trying to predict "Are you really looking for this?" or completing my search for me or giving me results they think are more personally relevant while obscuring results I may actually be looking for. This already happens with their stupid "instant search," which appears to be in full effect, even though I've turned it off in my Google search settings.

If I usually order pizza every Friday night, I don't want Google thinking I'm interested in only pizza places and then hiding Chinese food nearby when I search for restaurants, for example.

I get what Google is trying to do, but it's the execution of it I'm not sure of. Ideally, if you want to order pizza, you might be interested in not just pizza places, but in the pizza places that your friends recommend and think are awesome so those might show up first. But I can also see where you don't care what your friends think. You just want pizza places.

 

[tylerdurden123]

All Verizon had to do to keep mine and my family's business was to move my upgrade up 6 months, but they wouldn't so I'm just cancelling my service and not paying them another dime. I have quit using all Google services.

Now I'm no legal expert but from what I've read in the new policies there is no provision that specially grants them any rights to force services upon a customer. If you don't want to use one of their services you don't have to... and if, for whatever reason, they change one of their services and, as a courtesy, enable the new service for you, you simply terminate that service.

If you have a contract with an Android phone these changes apply to you and are being forced onto you no matter what. Verizon wouldn't upgrade me six months early so I could get a non-android phone, so now I'm cancelling my account with them and not giving me another dime.

Google's recently announced privacy policy that becomes effective on March 1, 2012 is very disturbing! Google said that literally everything on an Android phone will be monitored and tracked including location. They said, if you don't like the new policy, cancel your gmail account. If you do that, you can't use your Android phone. Quite arrogant for Google! I like my new Android phone, but now I'm probably going to get rid of it...

Just wait till the government decides that it must obtain (steal) all of this information from Google for national security purposes.

 

[freeze13]

All google has done is to be more upfront about what they all ready do. Everyday of your life someone is collecting info about you from what TV show you watch to what soda you buy with your snickers bar. You want to free of that move to a deserted island.

 

[IOWA]

All Verizon had to do to keep mine and my family's business was to move my upgrade up 6 months, but they wouldn't so I'm just cancelling my service and not paying them another dime. I have quit using all Google services.

So now your quitting a company because you want free/early upgrades? No offense, but that's childish and insanely unreasonable.

 

[blacktip]

Here is my perspective on this issue, that I havent seen posted yet.

Lets look at this issue and compare it with the other things that are going on in the internet world rigth now. Such as sopa, acta, pipa, megaupload, anonymous etc.

It is the US govt that is trying to gets those laws passed, so they are able to easily close down websites (around the world) if those websites 'violate' copyrights. They wouldnt even have to go to court for that.
What did happen last week? Megaupload was taken down, without the laws even being active already. Can you imagine...

To me its kinda strange they can close websites even outside the US, dont you think?
Anyway, in some ways this looks quite simular to the NDAA that Obama singned into law beginning this year. Which allows for 'suspected terrorists' (read: anyone who is a threat to 'national security') to be arrested and put in jail without trial for indefinite time.

So if google, apple, twitter, facebook or whatever company is keeping track of your personal data, it will become easily for the FBI to recognize you as a suspected terrorist.
As the google policy says quite clearly, they wont give the data to third parties except under the following circumstances:
* meet any applicable law, regulation, legal process or enforceable governmental request.
* enforce applicable Terms of Service, including investigation of potential violations.

Here is an article from 'Russia Today' stating: 'FBI would like to follow you on Facebook and Twitter'

To follow up on this: Brits were denied access to the US last week over some tweets.

Sorry, I cant post any links. But you can still look it up on google if you dare.

 

[IOWA]

Here is my perspective on this issue, that I havent seen posted yet.

Lets look at this issue and compare it with the other things that are going on in the internet world rigth now. Such as sopa, acta, pipa, megaupload, anonymous etc.

It is the US govt that is trying to gets those laws passed, so they are able to easily close down websites (around the world) if those websites 'violate' copyrights. They wouldnt even have to go to court for that.
What did happen last week? Megaupload was taken down, without the laws even being active already. Can you imagine...

To me its kinda strange they can close websites even outside the US, dont you think?
Anyway, in some ways this looks quite simular to the NDAA that Obama singned into law beginning this year. Which allows for 'suspected terrorists' (read: anyone who is a threat to 'national security') to be arrested and put in jail without trial for indefinite time.

So if google, apple, twitter, facebook or whatever company is keeping track of your personal data, it will become easily for the FBI to recognize you as a suspected terrorist.
As the google policy says quite clearly, they wont give the data to third parties except under the following circumstances:
* meet any applicable law, regulation, legal process or enforceable governmental request.
* enforce applicable Terms of Service, including investigation of potential violations.

Here is an article from 'Russia Today' stating: 'FBI would like to follow you on Facebook and Twitter'

To follow up on this: Brits were denied access to the US last week over some tweets.

Sorry, I cant post any links. But you can still look it up on google if you dare.

The scary part of that law, is what they've determined to be a threat. For instance, food stockpiling (having over x amount of days of food in your possession) is considered a threat. Growing large gardens and bartering is considered a threat. Owning a large firearms cache is considered a threat. I'm really disliking this trend.

 

[A.Nonymous]

Nothing I've read about this disturbs me in the least. Certainly not to the point where I would cancel any of my Google services. Google has all of this information about me already. They've been collecting it for years and have been transparent about collecting it. I've never been able to opt out. All that is changing is they're collecting all this information under one umbrella. To me that isn't disturbing. I'd still like an explanation from someone as to what has changed that they find so outrageous.

 

[Slug]

If you have a contract with an Android phone these changes apply to you and are being forced onto you no matter what.

Tbh I don't see the problem. I've read the policy document thoroughly several times and see nothing there that is different to how things are now; it's simply stated explictly rather than implied. It's also very easy to tailor exactly what information you choose to share if you take some time to explore the various options in the Google Dashboard and your Profile settings.

Regardless of the above, the policy change is Google's not Verizon's. The latter provide a mobile network service, nothing more.

As the google policy says quite clearly, they wont give the data to third parties except under the following circumstances:
* meet any applicable law, regulation, legal process or enforceable governmental request.
* enforce applicable Terms of Service, including investigation of potential violations.

I think you'll find that the above has been there in Google's policy since the very beginning. It's nothing to do with SOPA, ACTA or anything else, simply a legal requirement. You'll find similar in the T&C you agreed to when you joined Android Forums, and every UK ISP I've used for the past 20 years has had the same thing in their privacy policies.

There are a couple of topics in the Politics & Current Affairs section discussing SOPA and ACTA which may be of interest to you, namely ACTA has been signed and SOPA internet censorship bill.

 

[SamuraiBigEd]

Most of the complaints I am seeing are based on what other people have written about it elsewhere and not from the privacy policy itself. Personally I see no problem with it if they are going to share the info between Google services only, it does create a better user experience. If they abuse it then the issue begins but I have seen nothing in the policy that even hints at that possibility.

I started a Picasa account back when it was brand new and promptly deleted everything after reading the EULA, they basically had the right to use your images any way they wanted with no compensation to you. I went to Flickr which has a photographer friendly EULA and privacy policy and haven't looked back but Picasa later adjusted their policy to be like Flickr's and I am considering it again because of the user experience and customization Google is currently purporting to offer with these changes.

I like the fact that all my Google accounts will be linked and can work in conjunction to provide a better user experience, and I will add the caveat again as long as they keep it on the level.

 

[OfTheDamned]

I'm not sure if people are overlooking it or just haven't mentioned it, but Google is an advertising company first and everything else second. All the products that we enjoy are funded by their extremely successful advertising business. They have tracked your trends and the things you do for a long time to advertise to you in each and every product they offer. This is nothing new and it hasn't changed since day one. The main difference is that they are now sharing the information across all of their products. So now, the upcoming football game in your calendar may spark an ad for a football ticket broker. This ad may carry over to your web browser, your gmail account, ticket sales locations to show up in Google maps or your mobile web browser. They are trying to be more accurate with their advertising. The way I see it, the only thing this really does is make them better at advertising towards you based on the things you like. If you hate the ballet it does no good for them to advertise the new ballet that is coming to your town. This makes them better at what they do and gives companies more of a reason to advertise with them. This in turn brings in more revenue which allows them to develop more things that we all may enjoy using.

Now before anyone says that they don't want advertising, remember that everything you use on a regular basis is provided to you for free. The only thing you pay for is the service from the wireless carrier of your choice and the hardware provided by the manufacturer. It is no different than playing Angry Birds with ads instead of paying extra money for it.

As far as turning your information over to a federal agency, that policy has been there for quite a while. It is no different than the FBI having a watched book list.

Trust me, I am an extremely private person and none of this concerns me in the least.

 

[zuben el genub]

Regardless of what Google is doing with privacy - they need to do something about a couple of issues that are not mentioned.

I cannot sign out of Market or email on the phone. Google assuming one user is a pain. Which means I can't hide email addy. This bothers me as it's the main email. We don't subscribe to the ISP's. I haven't had spam in it, as I have throwaway account for that. When you buy an Android phone, this is never mentioned by the carrier.

I would prefer that Google just use the mailing name and NOT the actual email.

Just use Zuben instead of Zubenelgenub@nonsense.com.
If I'm signed in - Google knows the addy.