[E_man]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeepEmbrace;12633034
Hmm... this is a conundrum. I suppose you can download stuff manually.
But its now that i realise if you de-google your phone.... it just turns your android into a normal phone :S

Edit: After putting Cyanogen, i put google maps, market, facebook back. And that was it. never use the gmail,gtalk clients or any of the other stuff.

Nice and smooth runnings

Yep, you de-google your android phone, you don't get a whole lot. You can you things like getjar, but that's nothing like the real thing.

 

[e_dogg]

Quote:

Originally Posted by nathris;12631668
If you think that Google cares about you as an individual your the most egomaniacal person I've met. Google just wants to improve their search/ad algorithms. They aren't out to get you.

Thanks for judging me.

Ever had to deal with identity theft? I have...and it's a royal pain in the butt that I don't want to have to deal with again. No, I don't think that Google is out to get me. I just don't want to have personal info out there in random places that don't need it. Especially things like where I'm at at any given time.

Also, here's a little more detail about the Google Doodle SSN debacle before you give them a free pass on it.

http://news.cnet.com/8301-17852_3-20035164-71.html

This isn't the only example of the company not thinking through privacy issues. Buzz, Streetview, and SSID cataloging are a few other questionable projects (in fact, they recently settled a class action lawsuit over Buzz).

Quote:

Originally Posted by nathris;12631668
And if you think other companies aren't doing this you're sadly mistaken. Your wife has a Windows Phone 7. Did she remember to opt out of the "Customer Experience Improvement Program"? If not, Microsoft already has detailed information on how she uses her phone.

I know for a fact that Microsoft doesn't collect PII (personally identifiable information) without expressly telling the person why they need it. They also don't ever even ask for more information than that need for a given purpose. I also know firsthand the safeguards put in place to prevent even internal Microsoft employees from viewing PII. Plus, I'm pretty sure that the only SSNs that Microsoft has ever asked for are from employees.

Note that the Customer Experience Improvement Program doesn't link any PII with the user of the device. All they know is a GUID of the device (which isn't related to the device serial number or anything) and usage statistics. I would be ok with that.
Quote:

Originally Posted by ZainyAntics;12632824
Why would anyone hate an iPhone 4? I can understand a 3G or 3Gs, but the iPhone 4 is such a feature rich and gorgeous phone.

When it's jailbroken.. the things you can do with it are awesome

The iPhone 4 hardware sucks. I bought one on launch with a bad proximity sensor so I returned it for a new one, which also has the same problem. Now the home button often doesn't work, requiring me to press the button 20-30 times for it to register.

And don't get me started on iTunes. It's the more horrible POS software I've ever used.

So yeah...I hate my iPhone 4. I'm going to try to get a replacement before the warranty is up (or make a claim via Squaretrade) then sell this pile of junk before the next iPhone iteration comes out to flood the market.

 

[hawaiian_geek]

^^^Id theft is a PITA but then again any company can pass along personal info.....What makes you think Iphone can't be compromised? Bottom line is any company can breach security information....hell the state of hawaii had breached personal info. on 30,000 government employees back in the 90's....those poor employees were victims of ID theft as well....

 

[teajayyy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by drew630;12627557
Google already knows who you are, where you live, and what kind of porn you like. What's left to hide?

lololololol

 

[Tom1121]

Quote:

Originally Posted by e_dogg;12638376
Thanks for judging me.

Ever had to deal with identity theft? I have...and it's a royal pain in the butt that I don't want to have to deal with again. No, I don't think that Google is out to get me. I just don't want to have personal info out there in random places that don't need it. Especially things like where I'm at at any given time.

Also, here's a little more detail about the Google Doodle SSN debacle before you give them a free pass on it.

http://news.cnet.com/8301-17852_3-20035164-71.html

This isn't the only example of the company not thinking through privacy issues. Buzz, Streetview, and SSID cataloging are a few other questionable projects (in fact, they recently settled a class action lawsuit over Buzz).

I know for a fact that Microsoft doesn't collect PII (personally identifiable information) without expressly telling the person why they need it. They also don't ever even ask for more information than that need for a given purpose. I also know firsthand the safeguards put in place to prevent even internal Microsoft employees from viewing PII. Plus, I'm pretty sure that the only SSNs that Microsoft has ever asked for are from employees.

Note that the Customer Experience Improvement Program doesn't link any PII with the user of the device. All they know is a GUID of the device (which isn't related to the device serial number or anything) and usage statistics. I would be ok with that.

The iPhone 4 hardware sucks. I bought one on launch with a bad proximity sensor so I returned it for a new one, which also has the same problem. Now the home button often doesn't work, requiring me to press the button 20-30 times for it to register.

And don't get me started on iTunes. It's the more horrible POS software I've ever used.

So yeah...I hate my iPhone 4. I'm going to try to get a replacement before the warranty is up (or make a claim via Squaretrade) then sell this pile of junk before the next iPhone iteration comes out to flood the market.

My iPhone 4 is fine, and so is my 2 buddies, one whom is a bit of a clumsy man and has left his in a pile of snow in wal mart parking lot for an hour, dropped it down stairs and other stuff, it's in an otterbox defender but still, in no way does the hardware suck. Also I doubt Google cares at all about your information unless you're a spy why should you care?

 

[e_dogg]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom1121;12640228
My iPhone 4 is fine, and so is my 2 buddies, one whom is a bit of a clumsy man and has left his in a pile of snow in wal mart parking lot for an hour, dropped it down stairs and other stuff, it's in an otterbox defender but still, in no way does the hardware suck.

Glad to hear that your iPhone 4 is fine. I'm batting 0 for 2 with mine...so from my perspective, that's pretty crappy.
Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom1121;12640228
Also I doubt Google cares at all about your information unless you're a spy why should you care?

Please send me your name, address, phone number, and SSN. I promise I won't do anything bad with it. Why should you care if I have it if you're not a spy?

 

[Retrospekt]

Like others said, you could get Cyanogen mod. I had it for a while but it killed my battery life compared to the 1.6 that came with my G1. They're still nice phones without google software, you'll just have to root the phone and manually download packages for programs you'd want.

On a sidenote: When my G1 asks me to log in to my gmail account, it explicitly asks me if I want to share information with google. I check no. If they still collect PII after that, well...that would seem illegal.

Edit: On another side note: Stop bashing e_dogg. He came in here to ask a question, and did so in a kind manner before insults and assumptions of his personality came flying in left and right. I know a lot of people that don't want to carry around a 'tracking device' of sorts in their pocket all day. To some it sounds paranoid, to others it makes complete sense. If you don't have any advice to give, you don't need to post harmful things.

 

[justarealguy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Retrospekt;12644183
I know a lot of people that don't want to carry around a 'tracking device' of sorts in their pocket all day. To some it sounds paranoid, to others it makes complete sense. If you don't have any advice to give, you don't need to post harmful things.

To think that carrying a cell phone around isn't a tracking device is simply naive.

 

[Plex]

Is this some kind of ploy or do you actually believe that you are important enough for Google to care about your personal information as an individual? If the latter, then that's the weirdest twist of narcissism and paranoia I think I've witnessed all week.

On the other hand, you could just be buying into some of the ridiculous media over-hype? If you were a previous victim of identity theft, does that mean you're "scarred," and now even multi-billion dollar massive conglomerates are out to get you?

I'm just curious, of course. In the meantime, have fun trying to de-Google everything in your life. Why stop there? Twitter and Facebook clearly need to go as well. Shoot, you might as well cancel your Internet all together as I'm sure your ISP has some sensitive information about you. You're information is FAR less secure with that company than it is with a global powerhouse. Do you run a background check on the customer rep who asks for your social number and DOB every time you call for support? You need to stay on top of these things you know! Trust NO ONE.

 

[Retrospekt]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Plex;12644279
Is this some kind of ploy or do you actually believe that you are important enough for Google to care about your personal information as an individual? If the latter, then that's the weirdest twist of narcissism and paranoia I think I've witnessed all week.

On the other hand, you could just be buying into some of the ridiculous media over-hype? If you were a previous victim of identity theft, does that mean you're "scarred," and now even multi-billion dollar massive conglomerates are out to get you?

I'm just curious, of course. In the meantime, have fun trying to de-Google everything in your life. Why stop there? Twitter and Facebook clearly need to go as well. Shoot, you might as well cancel your Internet all together as I'm sure your ISP has some sensitive information about you. You're information is FAR less secure with that company than it is with a global powerhouse.

It isn't about google being out to get anyone. Data is collected and transferred, stored, and transferred who knows how many more times before it reaches it's final destination. Networks are never entirely secure and there have been hundreds of cases where companies confidential customer files are accessed and SSN's and such stolen. Obviously the chances of this happening, especially with a large company like google, are minuscule. But the chance is there.

 

[Plex]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Retrospekt;12644294
It isn't about google being out to get anyone. Data is collected and transferred, stored, and transferred who knows how many more times before it reaches it's final destination. Networks are never entirely secure and there have been hundreds of cases where companies confidential customer files are accessed and SSN's and such stolen. Obviously the chances of this happening, especially with a large company like google, are minuscule. But the chance is there.

My point is, the "chance is there" with nearly everything you do, everywhere, everyday. It's silly just to point a finger at Google. That's called scapegoating.

 

[error10]

I am not concerned about Google having my personal data, per se. I am concerned about my personal data falling into the wrong hands, i.e. the government, through no fault of Google's.

 

[e_dogg]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Retrospekt;12644294
It isn't about google being out to get anyone. Data is collected and transferred, stored, and transferred who knows how many more times before it reaches it's final destination. Networks are never entirely secure and there have been hundreds of cases where companies confidential customer files are accessed and SSN's and such stolen. Obviously the chances of this happening, especially with a large company like google, are minuscule. But the chance is there.

Thanks Retrospekt.

This is along the lines of what I was getting at. Though I think that Google's stance on privacy (or lack thereof) is pretty well known.
Quote:

Originally Posted by Plex;12644328
My point is, the "chance is there" with nearly everything you do, everywhere, everyday. It's silly just to point a finger at Google. That's called scapegoating.

Sure, the chance is there. It's about minimizing risk and not exposing myself in ways that increase the odds of something happening.
Quote:

Originally Posted by error10;12644395
I am not concerned about Google having my personal data, per se. I am concerned about my personal data falling into the wrong hands, i.e. the government, through no fault of Google's.

Exactly. As I mentioned earlier, I don't think that Google is "out to get me". However, they have no business having PII data that can fall into the wrong hands when they clearly don't need PII data.

If I'm signing up with AdSense and getting paid by them, fine they can have my SSN or Tax ID for 1099 tax reporting purposes. There's a need for them to have that information, so they can. However to do something like enter a contest, there's absolutely no need for a SSN or birth city. So why give it to them and expose yourself in that manner? And even more concerning is why are they even asking for such personal data in the first place?

Anyway...I got my answer to the original question. Thanks for those who provided the info I was looking for.

 

[nathris]

Quote:

Originally Posted by e_dogg;12644117
Please send me your name, address, phone number, and SSN. I promise I won't do anything bad with it. Why should you care if I have it if you're not a spy?

Google has my credit card number. Does that mean I should give it to you as well?

The company you work for probably has your full SSN, not just the last 4 digits. What guarantee do you have that they won't turn around and sell it to someone else?

Hell. OCN has your IP address. How do you know Admin hasn't bribed your ISP to get your personal info?

 

[hellonwheelz]

The chance for misuse of what should be private info is there, it's not zero at all. I've never been in a car crash, but its not a bad idea to use a seatbelt.

 

[Stealth Pyros]

Lol @ people that give out more information to their local CASHIERS and wireless phone provider reps (SSN, credit card, address) and are so skeptic about Google/other companies collecting some useless information.

 

[t3lancer2006]

Um, you don't have to give google anything but your name to use Android from what i remember, maybe your address. That's it.

 

[layitonme]

I appreciate this is a really old post, but still relevant!

Having a Nexus 5 for the better part of a year, I started to go on this very exploration. Partly because I like to exercise a healthy amount of cynicism in ones ability to 'divorce' onself from a corporate brand, but also it appears to be a rather impossible challenge!

That said, there are ways to do this with Lollipop. Below are my work-arounds to de-googlefy and some shortcomings with 5.0.1

• Installed Cheatah Launcher and replaced Google Now with it
• Disabled detailed location accuracy gathering for Google
• Disabled search, maps, and youtube history
• Installed Opera, and do not use Google
• Always Search with duckduckgo.com, a search launcher app is available, and you can set the default browser to opera
• Installed an alternative map product
• use a non-google email
• encrypted phone
• I haven't installed a third party keyboard but think this is necessary, then realized I would rather trust a Google keyboard until I can verify a more robust one (i.e. banking apps now tend to have their own keyboard)
• installation of the Tor project suite of applications, and relying on the Tor browser for true security
• Downsides in using the above, which is no criticism of Google by the way. But stating the facts I can identify with regards to protecting anonymity.
• I find the Google Now information that I enabled and then later stopped, I can still access the Google Now launcher and have it show me travel estimates on nearby public transport, so there is multiple location/privacy settings to amend
• The Google Maps product is superior to the alternatives
• relational third party cookies still track you with a single Google-linked website. This is more invasive than what Double-Click could dream
• decryption laws could moot your privacy efforts
• The device's hardware is Google approved. Just like Toshiba, Seagate, or other hardware and hard drive providers, makes their chips and firmware susceptable to covert monitoring (which has recently been in the news since Feb 2015)
• you are still limited on cookie handling by the browser, which is usually rather clumsy in my experience
• Not having the app store makes for a very manual exercise, and at the same time privacy demands on many app store products are rediculous
• Fine-grained access permissions per app are still lacking, with no audit logging to know what information goes where