Firing Google

[AMonger]

Ok, so let's say I object to Google's latest assaults on privacy and want to de-Google my life. Obviously, that means some basic things like disabling Google analytics, using Scroogle or something else for Web searches and such, abandoning gmail, etc.

But firing Google leaves me with some problems that have to be solved. I've got an Android phone and an Android device, both with substantial time left on their contracts, and nowhere to go if I want a decent phone from a company that has even a modicum of respect for their customers' privacy.

iPhones suck--had one and hated it--and Apple is not much better on privacy than Google.

Windows was busted for spying on users through the camera, asking if users' locations could be used for geotagging, and using location data even if they said no. Their devices are notoriously insecure and major PsIA, and everybody knows their OSs have back doors built into them.

I've had a Blackberry, and wasn't real thrilled with the experience. They're a little too business-oriented for me. I don't do a lot of gaming, but don't want to give up the amount I do.

Then there's Google Maps, which I use all the time and for which I've found no decent substitute, especially at Google's price. I have the free version of VZ Navigator, but that doesn't even navigate; it just gives a static map.

I don't mind doing a hodgepodge solution. I could abandon my gmail account--keep it open and send nothing but junk mail there, just keep it open to use Android devices. Then I could use my laptop more, running a live distro so nothing gets saved--cookies or anything--after I power down, and use my Android device for the wireless access through the hotspot function. But even that leaves me open to tracking because all my traffic would still flow through my Android device, and would mean I'd lose all the convenience of the expensive tablet I bought. I'd have to go back to lugging around a laptop, and I'd be unable to save what I want to save.

So I don't know what to do. We need a completely open-source phone designed with privacy in mind.

Anybody done this--kept all the utility and convenience factors while cutting the cord between the privacy invaders at Google, Apple, and Microsoft? How do I accomplish this?

You know the problem with bad cops? They make the other 5% look bad.

 

[Turtle]

Basically, don't log in to any of Google's services when you use them. If you aren't logged in they won't track you.

 

[AMonger]

Basically, don't log in to any of Google's services when you use them. If you aren't logged in they won't track you.

So how do I log out on my Android device?

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You know the problem with bad cops? They make the other 5% look bad.

 

[Turtle]

Settings, Accounts, remove account. But honestly, using an Android phone without Google like trying to use Windows on a laptop without actually using Windows, or using a Mac without using anything Apple. The OS may be called Android, but it's a Google phone. The Google Marketplace is gonna be really boring without Google.

Before doing anything rash, read up some more on the privacy concerns, and see what Google's response is to the Congressional questions about it. Mostly, it's not that big a deal, really.

 

[AMonger]

Settings, Accounts, remove account. But honestly, using an Android phone without Google like trying to use Windows on a laptop without actually using Windows, or using a Mac without using anything Apple.

Well, yeah, REMOVE account, sure, but like you say, it's pretty worthless that way. I don't even think it will function to any significant degree that way. So you can't sign out, like you would on a laptop? And that doesn't really mean they're not still tracking you, just that they don't admit to tracking you. Being that selling individualized advertising is their stated business...

The OS may be called Android, but it's a Google phone. The Google Marketplace is gonna be really boring without Google.

You can't even sign in without it. Once in a while, there's a screw-up and I can't sign in to the marketplace, and I have to either sign in to webmail to get it to work, or waiting about 15 minutes will fix it. Others report having this problem. So, yeah, it's useless that way, by design. I'm going to have to take the steps I can now and then replace both devices later in the contract or when they expire. I just don't know what steps I can take now, and what to change to later. Seems an entrepreneur would sense people's desire for privacy and design a completely open-source platform dedicated to privacy.

Before doing anything rash, read up some more on the privacy concerns, and see what Google's response is to the Congressional questions about it. Mostly, it's not that big a deal, really.

I can't imagine taking Google at their word on that. I'd say their word is worth nothing.



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You know the problem with bad cops? They make the other 5% look bad.

 

[Turtle]

Can't have your cake and eat it, too. If you want a Google phone, you're gonna have to deal with Google. If you want an Apple phone, you're gonna have to deal with Apple. If you want a Microsoft phone, you're gonna have to deal with Microsoft. It's really that simple. You can't be truly anonymous on the Internet, either, despite what people think. The only way to be truly anonymous and untrackable with a cell phone, any cell phone, is to never turn it on.

 

[Slacktide]

Amazon app store is a great app to replace the market place. It has everything the market place does and they have a free app every day.

I'm thinking that if you want to gain more privacy on your phone you may be able to get it by rooting your device. I am not familiar enough with the process, it is something I have just started reading about.

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