Re: is Android a privacy nightmare?
I am kind of on middle ground on this subject. I agree that privacy on the internet or android phone is mostly laughable, but I agree with Danny, sometimes, I just don't care anymore.
I also agree with Alik on the key points that, I am just not doing anything that google or anyone else would even care about.
If they are reading my messages, they more than likely think I am insane and have decided to spy on someone else instead.
I do like the privacy Apple provides, ad free me/icloud email addresses, apps start with no permissions etc but I also like google services, so by the time I put G+, Google now, Google maps etc etc on my iPhone and hand over permissions I am not really protecting myself much. I allow G+ to back up all my photos etc. I love it, its easy, I don't have to use Hard Drive space, I don't have to download software on my mac to sync pictures or music etc.
I supposed if you really want privacy on an android phone, make a fake gmail acct. maybe only use the carrier address book, don't have a Facebook or G+ acount.
Don't use your real name on the fake email account. Don't add any email accounts on the phone. Don't install widgets, Don't install any app that you don't absolutely Need.
Disable every app possible that you don't need that was preinstalled, or root and freeze / delete those apps.
Don't put your personal appointments on the calendar program. Neve use any app that needs credit card info.
Not sure if there is a Private mode when surfing the web, but if there is, enable it permanently.
Without anything other than Must have apps, and everything possible disabled, the worst they can see would be texts and maybe listen to your calls.
Seems like a whole lot of trouble to me. You would be way better off with an iPhone. Once you do any of the above there is no reason to have an android phone other than screen size, which should be fixed soon as iPhone 6 is announced.
There are many things I do not do or use on android phones that I do on iPhone.
Like I never use my bank app on android, or sync my notes from my mac etc.
I just don't trust the android OS like I do iOS..
Mainly because iOS on an iPhone is actually in a Read Only partition, so it really doesn't have to worry as much about viruses and malware. (not saying android is a virus / malware playground either, just be smart)