Does Google collect too much personal information?

[Almeuit]

Guess its o.k. If they keep a record of every site you visit.
And keep history on everywhere you go and What time you was there and how long too.
Not to mention every call going out and coming in on your phone.
Not to mention text and emails.

They won't if you turn it off. You seem to not get that. If you have location shut off on your account they don't take location data, etc. etc.

If you are that bothered by it why are you using Google at all? Why not swap all to Apple? You seem to not mind that much if you are staying using Android / Google.

Oh also if location matters that much -- Ensure to not use cell phones at all TBH... your carrier tracks everywhere you go as well.

 

[anon(10092459)]

Are you OK with them collecting information they do not disclose and nobody agreed to? Or how about when you attempt to specifically opt out, and they collect it anyway against your wishes?

https://www.infosecurity-magazine.com/news/google-sued-for-invading-privacy/
https://www.networkworld.com/articl...t-mass-invasion-of-internet-privacy-ever.html
https://futurism.com/google-admitted-tracking-location-when-settings-disabled/

There's tons more where those came from. You obviously are not up to speed on what Google's been up to.

Just so we're clear, I'm quite "up to speed" AND quite alright with Google. You don't have to do anything with Google that you don't want to, so stop crying.

 

[Itsa_Me_Mario]

Are you OK with them collecting information they do not disclose and nobody agreed to? Or how about when you attempt to specifically opt out, and they collect it anyway against your wishes?

https://www.infosecurity-magazine.com/news/google-sued-for-invading-privacy/
https://www.networkworld.com/articl...t-mass-invasion-of-internet-privacy-ever.html
https://futurism.com/google-admitted-tracking-location-when-settings-disabled/

There's tons more where those came from. You obviously are not up to speed on what Google's been up to.

None of those articles say what you think they mean. Did you do any research beyond the click bait?

But let me ask you this... Which phone manufacturer or service provider do you think is not collecting every scrap of data they can?

 

[nof8butwhatwemake]

None of those articles say what you think they mean. Did you do any research beyond the click bait?

But let me ask you this... Which phone manufacturer or service provider do you think is not collecting every scrap of data they can?

What did you do, go to my profile to follow me around the site in an attempt to rebuke everything I post?

Don't presume you know what I "think"

And those links, which I have indeed read, portray exactly what I inferred in my post. Perhaps you're counting on others to avoid reading them and assume you're correct, but I'm not the one to test that theory on.

 

[Itsa_Me_Mario]

What did you do, go to my profile to follow me around the site in an attempt to rebuke everything I post?

Don't presume you know what I "think"

And those links, which I have indeed read, portray exactly what I inferred in my post. Perhaps you're counting on others to avoid reading them and assume you're correct, but I'm not the one to test that theory on.

lol no you happened to post in two threads in which I was already participating. Chill with the don't presume thing, I wasn't insulting you and if what I said came across wrong, I apologize. The person you were replying to is very aware of Google's data collection and retention practices and it's also a subject in which I am definitely well versed. I did read the articles, they are very misleading in their portrayals. I would expect someone making those claims to research further into the matter and present a better informed opinion of the matter.

 

[nof8butwhatwemake]

lol no you happened to post in two threads in which I was already participating. Chill with the don't presume thing, I wasn't insulting you and if what I said came across wrong, I apologize. The person you were replying to is very aware of Google's data collection and retention practices and it's also a subject in which I am definitely well versed. I did read the articles, they are very misleading in their portrayals. I would expect someone making those claims to research further into the matter and present a better informed opinion of the matter.

It seems pretty clear Google violated existing laws and circumvented the preventative measures that were in place. From two of the articles:

"Given how Google has previously been fined heavily for monitoring browsing histories, it is not that surprising to learn about its alleged historic collection of data from iPhone users,” he said, via email. “Also, considering how that data was reportedly collected, despite Apple having privacy settings in place to prevent it, it would not be surprising at all to find out that this is not an isolated case.”

and

"This activity continued by using the same mechanism that Google uses to transmit notifications and messages to users. The company has since admitted to the practice, claiming that it never actually used or stored the data, and pledging that it will stop recording the information by the end of November 2017."

I will say, I could have left out the article pertaining to the warrant, but I included it to serve as an example of potential pitfalls created from the extensive collection of data by Google.

 

[Itsa_Me_Mario]

It seems pretty clear Google violated existing laws and circumvented the preventative measures that were in place. From two of the articles:

"Given how Google has previously been fined heavily for monitoring browsing histories, it is not that surprising to learn about its alleged historic collection of data from iPhone users,” he said, via email. “Also, considering how that data was reportedly collected, despite Apple having privacy settings in place to prevent it, it would not be surprising at all to find out that this is not an isolated case.”

and

"This activity continued by using the same mechanism that Google uses to transmit notifications and messages to users. The company has since admitted to the practice, claiming that it never actually used or stored the data, and pledging that it will stop recording the information by the end of November 2017."

I will say, I could have left out the article pertaining to the warrant, but I included it to serve as an example of potential pitfalls created from the extensive collection of data by Google.

Yep, those are great examples of the gross misrepresentation of the actual practices of Google that I was referencing and your conclusions seem to support your belief in those false premises, as I somewhat unsuccessfully tried to point out earlier.

 

[nof8butwhatwemake]

Yep, those are great examples of the gross misrepresentation of the actual practices of Google that I was referencing and your conclusions seem to support your belief in those false premises, as I somewhat unsuccessfully tried to point out earlier.

Fair enough, I will explore the available data on their "actual practices" and make a determination based on my own research in lieu of what is presented by media sources. Though I will ask you - is your knowledge of these "actual practices" based on information presented to you by Google themselves? You see where I am going with this.

 

[Itsa_Me_Mario]

Fair enough, I will explore the available data on their "actual practices" and make a determination based on my own research in lieu of what is presented by media sources. Though I will ask you - is your knowledge of these "actual practices" based on information presented to you by Google themselves? You see where I am going with this.

Boatload of reading, I started off anti Google and while most of my friends consider me a fanboy of Google now, that's definitely not where I started. I choose Google products and consider Apple a close second primarily because I respect their methodology on these topics. Hopefully we post more together so we can better understand each other's foundation. I will never knowingly agree to lies and I suspect that you won't either. If Google's wrong I'll call them out, the same as I'm known for going after some other companies.

 

[nof8butwhatwemake]

Boatload of reading, I started off anti Google and while most of my friends consider me a fanboy of Google now, that's definitely not where I started. I choose Google products and consider Apple a close second primarily because I respect their methodology on these topics. Hopefully we post more together so we can better understand each other's foundation. I will never knowingly agree to lies and I suspect that you won't either. If Google's wrong I'll call them out, the same as I'm known for going after some other companies.

I'm with you. Looks like I've got some reading to do.

 

[LeoRex]

That Cell ID story was blown out of proportion... The IDs were only captured as part of the usual data stream, but not kept or used in any way. They just didn't go back and disable it.

These IDs are not trade secrets by the way, they are accessible to any app or service that has permission to use the phone. It's how those network quality apps like OpenSignal work, and how automation apps like Tasker were able to get rough location.

The other things, different matter, but in this case, how it was framed as a gross violation of privacy is off base.

 

[nof8butwhatwemake]

Boatload of reading, I started off anti Google and while most of my friends consider me a fanboy of Google now, that's definitely not where I started. I choose Google products and consider Apple a close second primarily because I respect their methodology on these topics. Hopefully we post more together so we can better understand each other's foundation. I will never knowingly agree to lies and I suspect that you won't either. If Google's wrong I'll call them out, the same as I'm known for going after some other companies.

I find this extremely disturbing.

http://theculturechronicles.com/ind...r-total-data-collection-and-behavior-control/

Referenced article:
https://www.theverge.com/2018/5/17/17344250/google-x-selfish-ledger-video-data-privacy

"There’s nothing to suggest that this is anything more than a thought exercise inside Google, initiated by an influential executive. But it does provide an illuminating insight into the types of conversations going on within the company that is already the world’s most prolific personal data collector."

 

[Wbutchart]

I find this extremely disturbing.

Leaked video shows Google’s desire for total data collection and behavior control – The Culture Chronicles

Referenced article:
https://www.theverge.com/2018/5/17/17344250/google-x-selfish-ledger-video-data-privacy

"There’s nothing to suggest that this is anything more than a thought exercise inside Google, initiated by an influential executive. But it does provide an illuminating insight into the types of conversations going on within the company that is already the world’s most prolific personal data collector."

From the reference article, a response from Google - '“We understand if this is disturbing -- it is designed to be. This is a thought-experiment by the Design team from years ago that uses a technique known as ‘speculative design’ to explore uncomfortable ideas and concepts in order to provoke discussion and debate. It’s not related to any current or future products.”

They are well aware of the dangers of data collection and it seems produced a video highlighting those dangers. I don't see the issue of highlighting the dark application of these things, in fact it's a comfort they are facing it and aiming to avoid it surely?

 

[anon(10092459)]

They are well aware of the dangers of data collection and it seems produced a video highlighting those dangers. I don't see the issue of highlighting the dark application of these things, in fact it's a comfort they are facing it and aiming to avoid it surely?

Indeed. I feel the same. I liked the video. Very interesting from a philosophical and theoretical point of view. IMO, it’s good to see thought experiments like this, non-traditional concepts etc.

Contemplation and consideration of all angles is a good thing, IMO.

 

[Wbutchart]

Indeed. I feel the same. I liked the video. Very interesting from a philosophical and theoretical point of view. IMO, it’s good to see thought experiments like this, non-traditional concepts etc.

Contemplation and consideration of all angles is a good thing, IMO.

Yeah I’d be far more concerned if they were not aware and exploring these things. It’s owning that what google does could go badly wrong, exploring that and then acting to avoid that happening. Ignorance of the dangers would not be good strategy.

 

[nof8butwhatwemake]

This incredible to me. Here you have the largest data collection organization in the world, and they're spending time theorizing about how they would go about doing things like this, and people rush to praise them. This is exactly why privacy will disappear completely.. and I'm sorry, but to whomever is OK with that, I'm not. We have rights and I'm rather fond of them. We have those rights for a reason, and it's because things like what's being discussed here are dangerous.

Google continues to move the goal post of what's acceptable, using technology as an enticement to convince people their privacy doesn't matter.

 

[Wbutchart]

This incredible to me. Here you have the largest data collection organization in the world, and they're spending time theorizing about how they would go about doing things like this, and people rush to praise them. This is exactly why privacy will disappear completely.. and I'm sorry, but to whomever is OK with that, I'm not. We have rights and I'm rather fond of them. We have those rights for a reason, and it's because things like what's being discussed here are dangerous.

Google continues to move the goal post of what's acceptable, using technology as an enticement to convince people their privacy doesn't matter.

So you are more comfortable with companies not considering how their data could be abused, not considering worst case scenarios and just going on in ignorance? That to me is rather scary, any business that doesn't risk asses is a poor one.

 

[nof8butwhatwemake]

So you are more comfortable with companies not considering how their data could be abused, not considering worst case scenarios and just going on in ignorance? That to me is rather scary, any business that doesn't risk asses is a poor one.

"Foster envisions a future where “the notion of a goal-driven ledger becomes more palatable” and “suggestions may be converted not by the user but by the ledger itself.”"

"Foster’s job is to lead design at X, Google’s “moonshot factory” with inherently futuristic goals"

These ideas aren't discussions to prevent abuse. They're roadmaps to future products and ideas.

 

[BB_PP]

You got it almost exactly the same as I would have said it. Google collects a lot of data, but it's misguided to think that any other company isn't collecting the same data, or at least as much data as they possibly can. What the companies DO with the data once they have it is the important part, and Google and Apple are the only two companies that I'm aware of that are even trying to do things right. Microsoft, Samsung, Verizon, BlackBerry, TCL, LG, Yahoo (Verizon), Facebook, HTC, AT&T, etc, etc. not only collect massive amounts of data, but they also give themselves permission to and actually do share with and/or sell that data to third parties. So then the question transforms to... okay, well how do you control your data once that third party has it? How much do you trust them? This site we're on? Do you know what data they collect and who, if anyone they sell it to or share it with? Do you have control over those transactions? Do you trust those third parties?

highly doubt on what you said about BlackBerry.

 

[nof8butwhatwemake]

highly doubt on what you said about BlackBerry.

I'm not sure what point is being made anyway by stating that these other parties sell your info and Google doesn't. The truly scary thing would be one single organization who holds all the info, not a thousand that share it. Google knows real power comes from being the only one with the knowledge.