Why does Google Play need access to my camera and microphone to 'continue setup'?

[skeptical user]

Alcatel A502DL, a Tracfone buy, which Mobile Nations Passport tells me during registration, doesn't exist. Trying to set up normal phone use, which requires access to Google Play, I assume. Is access to my camera and microphone required always to use Google Play, or just for setup? Am I the only one horrified by letting Google have access to my phone's external sensors?

 

[mustang7757]

Alcatel A502DL, a Tracfone buy, which Mobile Nations Passport tells me during registration, doesn't exist. Trying to set up normal phone use, which requires access to Google Play, I assume. Is access to my camera and microphone required always to use Google Play, or just for setup? Am I the only one horrified by letting Google have access to my phone's external sensors?

Hi welcome ,Google play is deeply integrated into your phones software and for some features or functions you use it might need access to that

 

[skeptical user]

So, you don't know either. The access by Google, not me, is being demanded for Setup, not some esoteric function. In lieu of functional reasons, the suspicion is just more Google amoral hunger for data, Any data. And leaves open the question if Google Play can open and access microphone and camera function when I think it's Off. Like it now turns out to be the case with the various digital personal assistants like Alexa.

 

[ManiacJoe]

This might need some clarification.
When you say "Google Play", are you referring to the app or to "Google Play Services"?

 

[me just saying]

there are so many reasons why that it is impossible to list them all - voice searches, google voice, hangouts, home assistant, and more.

 

[belodion]

Am I the only one horrified by letting Google have access to my phone's external sensors?

I don't worry about these things myself but some people do. I don't know what they think is going to happen.
https://www.androidcentral.com/look-application-permissions

 

[B. Diddy]

So, you don't know either.

Try not to be so snarky right out of the gate. We're all just trying to help.

You need to give more information. Where exactly in the setup process are you being asked this? The phone's initial Setup Wizard? Setting up your Google Assistant, or some other Google service? It might help if you show us a screenshot of where you're seeing this: http://forums.androidcentral.com/ge...ide-how-post-screenshots-android-central.html

And if you really don't trust Google, then maybe an Android device isn't right for you. If you really don't trust any company with your data, then you may want to consider a filp-phone.

 

[Mooncatt]

If you really don't trust any company with your data, then you may want to consider a filp-phone.

I dunno, even some flip phones now run Android.

 

[mustang7757]

So, you don't know either. The access by Google, not me, is being demanded for Setup, not some esoteric function. In lieu of functional reasons, the suspicion is just more Google amoral hunger for data, Any data. And leaves open the question if Google Play can open and access microphone and camera function when I think it's Off. Like it now turns out to be the case with the various digital personal assistants like Alexa.

I'm really not concerned, why you telling me Google will listen my conversation ? They would have to focus on me out of billions of users to use my microphone to listen on my conversations lol.
You know what would worry me more a 3rd party app I downloaded ask for my microphone if it's not from video chat app .. I'm not paranoid like that maybe others but not me .