"...The great eye is ever watchful." or Tracked by google for weather?

[12Centuries]

It's amazing to me that I can't seem to find any threads (anywhere) about Google's tentacles that go deep into the Android OS to track just about everything we do on these phones.

Case in point: I recently purchased and S5, and when I try to add a city to the home screen (for weather), I am informed of the following:

"To view your local weather information, turn on Location settings and make sure the ode is set to High accuracy."​

Yet, when I try to do that, the phone tells me this:

"Let Google help apps determine location. This means sending anonymous location data to Google, even when no apps are running."​

So to get the weather on my home screen, I need to let Google ALWAYS record my current location? Why isn't GPS good enough? I know that high-accuracy isn't required because it's not like the weather is any different 20 meters away. It seems like extortion.

Are there any threads about how to use this phone well without giving it up to Google?

 

[Almeuit]

It's amazing to me that I can't seem to find any threads (anywhere) about Google's tentacles that go deep into the Android OS to track just about everything we do on these phones.

Case in point: I recently purchased and S5, and when I try to add a city to the home screen (for weather), I am informed of the following:

"To view your local weather information, turn on Location settings and make sure the ode is set to High accuracy."​

Yet, when I try to do that, the phone tells me this:

"Let Google help apps determine location. This means sending anonymous location data to Google, even when no apps are running."​

So to get the weather on my home screen, I need to let Google ALWAYS record my current location? Why isn't GPS good enough? I know that high-accuracy isn't required because it's not like the weather is any different 20 meters away. It seems like extortion.

Are there any threads about how to use this phone well without giving it up to Google?

I believe you can download some third party weather apps where you can setup the location manually without allowing it to use your GPS. Google wants to have people use GPS so it will show weather no matter where they go so they don't have to manually change it.

I would say most don't care if Google knows where they are. I mean if you really think about it your cell carrier can track your location 24/7 due to cell towers. Maybe not 100% accurate like GPS but they can easily draw a map of where you go every day so .. there really is no "privacy" anymore .

 

[Golfdriver97]

I believe you can download some third party weather apps where you can setup the location manually without allowing it to use your GPS.

Yes. 1Weather has an option to follow your location in it's own settings.

 

[dpham00]

Re: "...The great eye is ever watchful." or Tracked by google for weather?

Hd widgets does too, and you don't have to use Google location services. You can also force it to use network only for location




Sent from my Verizon Samsung Galaxy Note 4

 

[dpham00]

You can also set a specific location and not use location services at all.

Sent from my Verizon Samsung Galaxy Note 4

 

[dpham00]

You would be somewhat limited without using Google services. But it can be done. You can use amazon or Samsung for apps, and avoid Google Apps, don't sign into your Google account.

Sent from my Verizon Samsung Galaxy Note 4

 

[12Centuries]

Google wants to have people use GPS so it will show weather no matter where they go so they don't have to manually change it.

I don't mind them using the GPS. They want more than just GPS. They want "High Accuracy" mode which also uses WiFi & mobile networks to get my location. GPS should be enough, but they don't get to have permission to collect my location if I just use GPS.

I would say most don't care if Google knows where they are. I mean if you really think about it your cell carrier can track your location 24/7 due to cell towers. Maybe not 100% accurate like GPS but they can easily draw a map of where you go every day so .. there really is no "privacy" anymore .

It's really unfortunate that people are okay with the lack of privacy. It's wrong. And I don't mind using Google services. I just don't want them to keep a log of everything I do.

 

[AZgl1500]

it is a Fallacy that inserting the use of WiFi will improve the location accuracy of your device.

That is pure hogwash, nothing else... just a way of them wanting to be able to get into your phone anytime they want.

I always keep Wifi and Data turned OFF when the phone is asleep.... better battery life that way.

And, I never allow High Accuracy mode via the WiFi, I use GPS only as that can locate me to within about 15-20 feet of where I am standing..... Wifi cannot even begin to improve on that....

In fact, the WiFi can locate you 1,000s of miles from where you are at. I have proven that over and over....
At my home, I use a Verizon Network Extender to give me "in the house" cell site capability. When I use WiFi only and turn OFF the GPS all of the maps will show me in southern California where the Verizon servers are. As I live in northeastern Oklahoma, that is a 3 day drive from here....

Do a ping on your IP address, that will prove it fast enough.

 

[belodion]

Of course it could also be argued that it may be a good thing if your location is known at all times. I can't think of any obvious way in which it would be bad. I for one don't have the sense that my true privacy is being invaded by these things. If I did, and didn't like it, I could switch things off.

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[Almeuit]

I don't mind them using the GPS. They want more than just GPS. They want "High Accuracy" mode which also uses WiFi & mobile networks to get my location. GPS should be enough, but they don't get to have permission to collect my location if I just use GPS.



It's really unfortunate that people are okay with the lack of privacy. It's wrong. And I don't mind using Google services. I just don't want them to keep a log of everything I do.

True -- Just a difference in opinions from different people. I really don't care that Google knows where I am... I really have nothing to hide. It is not like anyone couldn't find out where I work, live, and visit if they really wanted to. Just makes my life easier with certain tasks by it knowing things .

 

[12Centuries]

I think this is about to become a philosophical discussion.

I really have nothing to hide.

That's a very dangerous statement. From the mouth of Cardinal Richelieu:

"If you give me six lines written by the hand of the most honest of men, I will find something in them which will hang him."​

The day someone wants to target you, all of that information will be remarkably useful to them, even if you haven't done anything wrong. If someone you've ever known happens to know someone associated with a terrorist, if you've driven too close to a bank robbery or a murder, or if you ever bought something you can't really afford, that's a good start of a case that you're a terrorist, bank robber, murderer, or tax evader.

Further, some people do have legitimate reasons to hide information. Let's see...

• Abuse victims
• People whose legal lifestyles are unpopular in their communities
• Undercover police officers
• Enemies of the State like Snowden or Assange
• Politicians running for office
• Journalists
• A rural parent that lets their kids play outside without supervision (the horror!)
• CEOs planning an IPO
• Activists that are trying to change existing power structures
• etc..

Trusting some 3rd party that we don't really know isn't a good long-term solution.

I could go on... I just wish I could protect my phone from it to some extent.

Is there a good permissions-based security system for any app I might install? Would I need to root the phone to make that happen?

 

[Almeuit]

I think this is about to become a philosophical discussion.



That's a very dangerous statement. From the mouth of Cardinal Richelieu:

"If you give me six lines written by the hand of the most honest of men, I will find something in them which will hang him."​

The day someone wants to target you, all of that information will be remarkably useful to them, even if you haven't done anything wrong. If someone you've ever known happens to know someone associated with a terrorist, if you've driven too close to a bank robbery or a murder, or if you ever bought something you can't really afford, that's a good start of a case that you're a terrorist, bank robber, murderer, or tax evader.

Further, some people do have legitimate reasons to hide information. Let's see...

• Abuse victims
• People whose legal lifestyles are unpopular in their communities
• Undercover police officers
• Enemies of the State like Snowden or Assange
• Politicians running for office
• Journalists
• A rural parent that lets their kids play outside without supervision (the horror!)
• CEOs planning an IPO
• Activists that are trying to change existing power structures
• etc..

Trusting some 3rd party that we don't really know isn't a good long-term solution.

I could go on... I just wish I could protect my phone from it to some extent.

Is there a good permissions-based security system for any app I might install? Would I need to root the phone to make that happen?

Hehe you can believe what you want -- I just tender to disagree. I am not worried about them thinking I am a terrorist since I am not ... and I am not trusting a random 3rd party .. I trust Google more than some random app in an app store. I am sure if evil things were being done by Google it would be more widely known.

 

[dpham00]

You can't legally disable location services completely. You can turn location services off but the government can still access this information.

If this is the primary concern then buy a phone without a GPS. But keep in mind that these would have to be very old phones as the government has required gps for some time now. Also Verizon will not activate a phone without gps on its network anymore.

Anyway, to modify permissions, you can use app ops which is from the play store, but it might or might not work on your device. Keep in mind the government can still get location information, even if it is disabled.



Sent from my Verizon Samsung Galaxy Note 4

 

[Golfdriver97]

dpham00 has a good point, but to any who want to alter app ops, be advised: this can cause apps to misbehave.

From an AOSP M8

 

[12Centuries]

You can't legally disable location services completely. You can turn location services off but the government can still access this information.

Oh, I know that the government can track the hell out of me. For right or wrong, that ship has sailed. They've got all of us wired.

I just don't want to give up any additional information that I don't need to. That's all. And it seems ridiculous that they want access to so much information just to tell me the weather.

For those who "have nothing to hide," I would recommend this article from Wired: "Why 'I Have Nothing to Hide' Is the Wrong Way to Think About Surveillance | WIRED" w ww.wired.c om/2013/06/why-i-have-nothing-to-hide-is-the-wrong-way-to-think-about-surveillance/

 

[Ed Briggs]

I don't worry about it. What are they going to do if they know where I am? Nothing. Tin foil hats are funny.

 

[dpham00]

Re: "...The great eye is ever watchful." or Tracked by google for weather?

Oh, I know that the government can track the hell out of me. For right or wrong, that ship has sailed. They've got all of us wired.

I just don't want to give up any additional information that I don't need to. That's all. And it seems ridiculous that they want access to so much information just to tell me the weather.

For those who "have nothing to hide," I would recommend this article from Wired: "Why 'I Have Nothing to Hide' Is the Wrong Way to Think About Surveillance | WIRED" w ww.wired.c om/2013/06/why-i-have-nothing-to-hide-is-the-wrong-way-to-think-about-surveillance/

I know you want to keep Google but To be honest, if you are super worried about permissions, go with Apple. They are way more locked down and any app looking to use things like location services or camera must be explicitly approved by the user.

Sent from my Verizon Samsung Galaxy Note 4

 

[Almeuit]

Re: "...The great eye is ever watchful." or Tracked by google for weather?

I know you want to keep Google but To be honest, if you are super worried about permissions, go with Apple. They are way more locked down and any app looking to use things like location services or camera must be explicitly approved by the user.

Sent from my Verizon Samsung Galaxy Note 4

This is true -- no app on Apple can do anything without asking you explicitly for it first.