Am I the only one concerned Google has too much personal info via DROID?

colnago · 11-27-2009, 12:40 PM

Don't get me wrong, I think its great what they are doing by integrating search with all the "smartphone features", along with trying to bust up the Mirosoft entrenchment, but it seems like they can potentially have access to too much personal info. I know much, if not all of Google access can be turned off, but if you want to use the phone to its fullest, everything you do can be stored/monitored on a Google server.

- If you want to transfer contacts from a non Android phone, list has to go to Google for conversion (Exchange excluded)...they know who you associate with.

- Turn on GPS, use for application and search assistance...they know where you are.

- Create custom maps and use Nav...they know your habits and where you're going.

- Calendar...they know when you're going to go.

- Use search/browse history to aid Google in helping you find what you're looking for...they know what you like.

- GDocs, stored online...they know what you're working on.

- "Backup my settings"...they know how you use your phone, and copies of personal files store on the phone (full flash of phone and SD card, still got wallpaper back...then some?).

- You want a decent POP3 mail app, "have" to use Gmail...they have all your personal email.

I understand that being able to get free "stuff", there has to be some sort of give/take, but working in IT and being the cynic that I am, I can't help but think that this phone was rolled out more for Google's benefit than ours (read, Data Mining). But I'm more concerned about a security breach given that so much personal info is stored in one spot.

/suspicious thoughts

taz55 · 11-27-2009, 12:59 PM

Google will take over the world one day, but first they need to know how to control you... nothing new.

Moose · 11-27-2009, 01:10 PM

I pondered how much they where gaining as well. I know that they sell our info about our interest and tendencies that they gather from their search engine. So it why wouldn't they sell the info they can gather from our phones.

Moose · 11-27-2009, 01:11 PM

It will be Walmart versus Google.

DroidRoid · 11-27-2009, 01:21 PM

I haven't and will not use Google Docs, or sync my contacts or calendar with Google. I will wait for a third party app that can do it via pc.

I already know plenty about you guys.

You get your gas from Saudi Arabia.
You get your clothes from China and Thailand.
You get your cars from Japan or Mexico.
You get your fruit from Peru.

barry99705 · 11-27-2009, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DroidRoid

I haven't and will not use Google Docs, or sync my contacts or calendar with Google. I will wait for a third party app that can do it via pc.

I already know plenty about you guys.

You get your gas from Saudi Arabia.
You get your clothes from China and Thailand.
You get your cars from Japan or Mexico.
You get your fruit from Peru.

My car came from Indiana.

eNons3nse · 11-27-2009, 01:55 PM

False. We produce a good amount of our own oil and a great majority of our imports come from Canada. S.A. usually comes in as one of our top 5 importers though.

Anyways. Don't like the info sharing? Don't use a phone. Privacy is dead in the digital age. Id trust google before lots of other companies.

e39e60 · 11-27-2009, 01:56 PM

Embrace the Google, Fear the Google.

moosez3 · 11-27-2009, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DroidRoid

I haven't and will not use Google Docs, or sync my contacts or calendar with Google. I will wait for a third party app that can do it via pc.

I already know plenty about you guys.

You get your gas from Saudi Arabia.
You get your clothes from China and Thailand.
You get your cars from Japan or Mexico.
You get your fruit from Peru.

No love for German Cars?!?!

jk youre right I have a toyota

Google has already taken over anyway...

Tackleberry · 11-27-2009, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by taz55

Google will take over the world one day, but first they need to know how to control you... nothing new.

Kinda creepy when u put it that way!

punkzanyj · 11-27-2009, 03:04 PM

This seems to come up almost every time there's a new Android device.

If you want to have complete control of your privacy, well, you're going to have to find a remote part of the world where no technology can reach you.

Right now, everyone who has posted on this website has left a trail that leads back to their doorstep, even if they're on WIFI at some coffee shop.

Every time you use a credit/Debit card, someone's compiling that information. They know where you were, and what you bought. Look at your receipt, it has your name, the store address, the date & time, the products, and the cashier on it, doesn't it?

From the time you leave for work to the time you head home in the evening you've been caught by at least half a dozen cameras. Security cameras inside and outside buildings, ATM cameras, traffic cameras, random people taking photos and video.

Got a cellphone? Then your cell company knows where you are, too. If they didn't know where you were, you wouldn't be able to make calls or receive them. As long as your phone is on, they know where you are. At least approximately.

Maybe you don't share info with Google, but what about your friends, family, coworkers, and aquaintances that do? Not all gmail email addresses end in "@gmail.com". If someone hacked my account they'd have names, phone numbers, and in many cases face pictures and addresses, some of them I even have the name and address of their employer as well. They'd see appointments where I met with this or that person, they'd see birthdays and anniversaries on my account, they'd even see text messages as those are backed up to Gmail. If you have a friend like me, your information is already on google's servers.

Certainly, people have the right to decide how they want to use their devices and what level of control they wish to have over their information. Honestly, though, unless you plan on moving to a cave somewhere, you don't have nearly the amount of control over your sensitive information that you like to think you do.

justjimjpc · 11-27-2009, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by punkzanyj

This seems to come up almost every time there's a new Android device.

If you want to have complete control of your privacy, well, you're going to have to find a remote part of the world where no technology can reach you.

Right now, everyone who has posted on this website has left a trail that leads back to their doorstep, even if they're on WIFI at some coffee shop.

Every time you use a credit/Debit card, someone's compiling that information. They know where you were, and what you bought. Look at your receipt, it has your name, the store address, the date & time, the products, and the cashier on it, doesn't it?

From the time you leave for work to the time you head home in the evening you've been caught by at least half a dozen cameras. Security cameras inside and outside buildings, ATM cameras, traffic cameras, random people taking photos and video.

Got a cellphone? Then your cell company knows where you are, too. If they didn't know where you were, you wouldn't be able to make calls or receive them. As long as your phone is on, they know where you are. At least approximately.

Maybe you don't share info with Google, but what about your friends, family, coworkers, and aquaintances that do? Not all gmail email addresses end in "@gmail.com". If someone hacked my account they'd have names, phone numbers, and in many cases face pictures and addresses, some of them I even have the name and address of their employer as well. They'd see appointments where I met with this or that person, they'd see birthdays and anniversaries on my account, they'd even see text messages as those are backed up to Gmail. If you have a friend like me, your information is already on google's servers.

Certainly, people have the right to decide how they want to use their devices and what level of control they wish to have over their information. Honestly, though, unless you plan on moving to a cave somewhere, you don't have nearly the amount of control over your sensitive information that you like to think you do.

Great post .... love the points ...

shotinthenads · 11-27-2009, 03:16 PM

When I wear my tinfoil hat no one can follow me or track anything I do.

colnago · 11-27-2009, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by punkzanyj

...Certainly, people have the right to decide how they want to use their devices and what level of control they wish to have over their information. Honestly, though, unless you plan on moving to a cave somewhere, you don't have nearly the amount of control over your sensitive information that you like to think you do.

Fair enough...however there is no situation where "one single company" has all that info compiled "in one location".

Mapex · 11-27-2009, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moosez3

No love for German Cars?!?!

jk youre right I have a toyota

The

at the end was classic. I lol'd so hard.

colnago · 11-27-2009, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eNons3nse

...Anyways. Don't like the info sharing? Don't use a phone...

Point taken..I realize we are being monitored to a certain extent, my concerns were both aimed at Google's intent with such focused information gathering, and also a single point of information loss from a security breach from the outside.

As far as "Don't use a phone", were you referring to smart phones in general or the DROID itself? I've been using a Moto Q for 2 years and there's no central repository containing all my contact/email/phone's documents...proxy server, for the most part, is bypassed. If you're referring to the DROID, I just took it back...for more reasons than I just posted.

DroidRoid · 11-27-2009, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by punkzanyj

This seems to come up almost every time there's a new Android device.

If you want to have complete control of your privacy, well, you're going to have to find a remote part of the world where no technology can reach you.

Right now, everyone who has posted on this website has left a trail that leads back to their doorstep, even if they're on WIFI at some coffee shop.

Every time you use a credit/Debit card, someone's compiling that information. They know where you were, and what you bought. Look at your receipt, it has your name, the store address, the date & time, the products, and the cashier on it, doesn't it?

From the time you leave for work to the time you head home in the evening you've been caught by at least half a dozen cameras. Security cameras inside and outside buildings, ATM cameras, traffic cameras, random people taking photos and video.

Got a cellphone? Then your cell company knows where you are, too. If they didn't know where you were, you wouldn't be able to make calls or receive them. As long as your phone is on, they know where you are. At least approximately.

Maybe you don't share info with Google, but what about your friends, family, coworkers, and aquaintances that do? Not all gmail email addresses end in "@gmail.com". If someone hacked my account they'd have names, phone numbers, and in many cases face pictures and addresses, some of them I even have the name and address of their employer as well. They'd see appointments where I met with this or that person, they'd see birthdays and anniversaries on my account, they'd even see text messages as those are backed up to Gmail. If you have a friend like me, your information is already on google's servers.

Certainly, people have the right to decide how they want to use their devices and what level of control they wish to have over their information. Honestly, though, unless you plan on moving to a cave somewhere, you don't have nearly the amount of control over your sensitive information that you like to think you do.

When you put it that way it makes me want to change my name to Ted and go live in a small cabin in the woods.

Your're right of course. The minute you are born privacy is no more.

acg2010 · 11-27-2009, 05:44 PM

You don't even get privacy before you're born anymore with ultrasound, etc. lol.

taz55 · 11-27-2009, 08:53 PM

Guys, seriously, Google is probally watching us right now... SHHHHHH!!! be quite before its to .................................................j faskljdf;laksdf.....

hbg · 11-27-2009, 09:21 PM

No company lasts forever, and while Google seems invinceable for now, its day will come- it might be 20, 30, or even 50 years from now, but it will happen as it will with Wal-Mart someday too. Become too dominant for too long and companies get arrogant and complacent and before they know it they are the next K-Mart, Sears, or Montgomery Ward- passed by.

At some point I think there is a decent chance Google will get forcibly broken up due to anti-trust pressure from the government or courts. Maybe not in the near term, but I could easily see that as a future possibility.

chris.darockman · 11-27-2009, 09:55 PM

The thing to do is to buy shares of GOOG. Then you'll own all your data yourself.

hbg · 11-27-2009, 10:11 PM

You have a future in comedy.

taz55 · 11-27-2009, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hbg

You have a future in comedy.

who

twospirits · 11-27-2009, 10:18 PM

Next Thursday on CNBC I believe, there will be an indepth look into the world of Google by business news anchor guru Maria Bartiromo. Just by the brief commercials for the program one can tell that Google is into everything and if not will be soon enough.

TS

s-one · 11-28-2009, 02:40 AM

Fadelight · 11-28-2009, 05:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DroidRoid

I haven't and will not use Google Docs, or sync my contacts or calendar with Google. I will wait for a third party app that can do it via pc.

I already know plenty about you guys.

You get your gas from Saudi Arabia.
You get your clothes from China and Thailand.
You get your cars from Japan or Mexico.
You get your fruit from Peru.

My "Gas" Is actually E85, which is produced in the US.
My cloths are from Walmart, so who knows.
My cars are ALL from Germany... a VW and 2 Audis.
I don't eat fruit.

This whole thread, in my eyes, is paranoia. It all reminds me of my mother. I remember having a conversation with her two years ago when she was trying to explain to me why she refused to buy things on the internet because someone was going to steal all of her money, and why she refused to get a debit card because cash was the only way to keep people from obtaining your personal information when you bought something at a store.

Nothing has been obtained from your phone that doesn't already exist on the internet. Your personal information is available to the general public through your town/city clerk. A great deal of information can be found through various websites with nothing more than your name and town you live in or your license plate numbers and $14.95. Your house can be seen on Google maps. Your class information can be found via google, and your school record can be had for $19.99 through various websites. When you used your credit card at your local grocery store or 7-11, that information was transmitted via the internet (usually satellite). Your driving record can be pulled from the DMV by anyone with your name and address and $12.95.

With information so freely available both online and offline, why would you choose this very moment now to get paranoid about it all? Why would your little tiny 6oz cell phone be the catalyst for your "world is coming to an end" epiphany?

In conclusion: Yes, I think you are overreacting. It's just a phone.

DroidRoid · 11-28-2009, 06:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fadelight

My "Gas" Is actually E85, which is produced in the US.
My cloths are from Walmart, so who knows.
My cars are ALL from Germany... a VW and 2 Audis.
I don't eat fruit.

This whole thread, in my eyes, is paranoia. It all reminds me of my mother. I remember having a conversation with her two years ago when she was trying to explain to me why she refused to buy things on the internet because someone was going to steal all of her money, and why she refused to get a debit card because cash was the only way to keep people from obtaining your personal information when you bought something at a store.

Nothing has been obtained from your phone that doesn't already exist on the internet. Your personal information is available to the general public through your town/city clerk. A great deal of information can be found through various websites with nothing more than your name and town you live in or your license plate numbers and $14.95. Your house can be seen on Google maps. Your class information can be found via google, and your school record can be had for $19.99 through various websites. When you used your credit card at your local grocery store or 7-11, that information was transmitted via the internet (usually satellite). Your driving record can be pulled from the DMV by anyone with your name and address and $12.95.

With information so freely available both online and offline, why would you choose this very moment now to get paranoid about it all? Why would your little tiny 6oz cell phone be the catalyst for your "world is coming to an end" epiphany?

In conclusion: Yes, I think you are overreacting. It's just a phone.

Just a phone!!!!
I will not talk to you anymore!
You have not been assimilated.
It is a Droid!

I am huddled in the corner of my bomb shelter, in a fetal position with my Droid, and my aluminum foil suit right now. Paronoid? or Survior?

professa · 11-28-2009, 07:09 AM

You can always opt out

Opt Out Village

celios · 11-28-2009, 07:13 AM

Having contacts, mail and calendar on Google doesn't worry me too much. It's no worse that the access Facebook have to your personal info, and actually in the case of Google vs Facebook probably better as Facebook have access to your contacts, messages, the relationship between you and the contacts, your current position/status, photos of your friends and family and often other info such as likes and dislikes...

Anything you absolutely don't want people to see like credit card info, PIN numbers, nuclear launch codes, etc can be stored in a password safe type app, where it will be encrypted and not shared with the cloud.

ccphilly1984 · 11-28-2009, 07:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moose

It will be Walmart versus Google.

I call walmart the winner... they sell ammo there and people that shop there wear guns. I know... i carry my gun in the open in walmart. Lol

Flahusky · 11-28-2009, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fadelight

My "Gas" Is actually E85, which is produced in the US.
My cloths are from Walmart, so who knows.
My cars are ALL from Germany... a VW and 2 Audis.
I don't eat fruit.

So your 'gas' is still 15% Saudi oil...

As for the OP's concern:
1. You/We are not required to use any Google service for any part of your/our daily life.
2. Keep nothing on your personal electronic devices that you can not afford to lose or would`t want posted on a billboard in front of your church, employer, Mom/Gradma`s house.

Side Note; GMail is NOT a pop3 app, it is a web based mail service. A pop3 app would be Eudora, Thunderbird, et. al.

DroidRoid · 11-28-2009, 09:08 AM

Now that is what I am talking about!!

That is funny.

sghere · 11-28-2009, 09:33 AM

Big Brother is everywhere. Who cares? Once you've been assimilated...all will be good.

<knock><knock><knock>

<bang><bang><bang>

RUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUN!!!!!!!!!!!!

rjoudrey · 11-28-2009, 09:58 AM

Some people are really naive about who knows what and what they want to do. First of all Google has one of the best spam detection of any mail server. They provide a great service with minimal intrusion. Google does less with your personal information than does your local DMV which sells everything they know about you to anybody willing to pay for it. Have you ever seen a privacy statement from local government about what they do with your information.

I got news for you your life is an open book to anyone willing to pay the price. The credit agencies and credit card companies are hirrible. They have access to all your purchases and again will sell it to anyone willing to pay.

The only problem I have with Google services is I would not store trade secrets on their servers. And as they market more Exchange clients they will upgrade there security and will some day be one of the best.

At least Google is working for your business by supplying needed services unlike Microsoft who has lobbied for a monopoly and now has one and can ultimately tell you what software you can use.

Where have all the spreadsheets gone, gobbled up by Bill?

DrDude · 11-28-2009, 11:35 AM

For the tin foil helmet crowd:

http://people.csail.mit.edu/rahimi/helmet/

BTW: I found the link using Bing, not Google

bigdroid · 11-28-2009, 11:49 AM

I know a lot of people who are afraid to use Google because they think they will lose their privacy. I have used Google for a while now and am not too worried.

Jweb · 11-28-2009, 11:59 AM

You may want to check your cars again. My wife's car is a Volkswagen and it's made in Mexico. Which I love pointing out BTW.

celios · 11-28-2009, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jweb

You may want to check your cars again. My wife's car is a Volkswagen and it's made in Mexico. Which I love pointing out BTW.

Let me guess... it's a new Beetle?

Bobarazzi · 11-28-2009, 12:29 PM

I (personally) like the fact that I can be found at any time/place... I don't break the law and I don't have Bill Gates money, that people would want to try and steal.

If I was falsely accused of some crime, I could prove where I was. If I'm hiking in the woods (forest, which I do a lot) and got lost...guess what, someone could find me.

It's a fine line, because I don't really want "Big Brother" watching me, and I see why it could be a problem. But if you're not doing anything wrong, who cares.

DrDude · 11-28-2009, 12:38 PM

Bobarazzi:
Who determines if you're doing anything wrong: you or Big Brother?

Bobarazzi · 11-28-2009, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrDude

Bobarazzi:
Who determines if you're doing anything wrong: you or Big Brother?

Well that's sort of another issue (government politics) I just meant if someone accused me of a crime, in say, California...but I can prove that I was nowhere near there...like I said, I'm on the fence...privacy vs. accessibility.

Jweb · 11-28-2009, 12:46 PM

Nope its an 05 jetta. Which funny enough is the model they use as taxi's in mexico : )

Jon Nale · 11-28-2009, 02:04 PM

I don't like big companies, but the only exception to this is google.

Google makes my life so much easier. I always see people complaining about this privacy issue, and maybe I am just an exception, but I have very little private info, and the private info I do have, I would never need to put any of it on google or even a computer for that matter.

My google calander, for the most part, has my college stuff in it. In other words, if google were to look at my data, which I doubt they would, they would know I have a paper due on Thursday. Some people might not like this, but I could care less.

moosez3 · 11-28-2009, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by professa

You can always opt out [youtube]

lol!

Fadelight · 11-29-2009, 12:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by professa

You can always opt out

Opt Out Village

I hate you so much.

I have tears running down my cheek now, and I can't stop laughing.