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Thinking about suing Google over Android/Google+ integration

ktchong

Android Enthusiast
Jan 8, 2010
490
50
I've been thinking about using a lawsuit to force Google to separate Android and Google+. I personally do not use - and will never use - any "social networking" site like Facebook or Google+. When I decided to adopt Android, Google+ was not integrated into Android. When I refused to to use Google+, I was not allowed to use many features in the Play store and apps. Basically, Google is forcing Android users to adopt Google+ so Google can compete with Facebook, and penalizes Android users who refuse to adopt Google+ (which I do.) If I had known Google+ would be integrated into Android, I would have never adopted Android. I definitely feel that I have been baited and switched by Google.

Then Google pulled a bait-and-switch in order to compete with Facebook, by . IMO, that tactics is no different from what Microsoft did Internet Explorer back in the early 2000s: Microsoft merged Internet Explorer with Windows. Microsoft was ultimately brought to courts in the US and EU, and was ordered by the US and EU courts to separate IE from Windows. Why hasn't Google suffered the same fate when it has been doing exactly what Microsoft did?

Anyway. I am seriously thinking about it. I've never sued anyone or any company before. I'm wondering on how I can proceed, and if anyone wants to join me.
 
I've been thinking about using a lawsuit to force Google to separate Android and Google+. I personally do not use - and will never use - any "social networking" site like Facebook or Google+. When I decided to adopt Android, Google+ was not integrated into Android. When I refuse to to use Google+, many Android features become disabled for me. Basically, Google is forcing Android users to adopt Google+ so Google can compete with Facebook, and penalizes Android users who refuse to adopt Google+ (which I do.) If I had known Google+ would be integrated into Android, I would have never adopted Android. I definitely feel that I have been baited and switched by Google.

Then Google pulled a bait-and-switch in order to compete with Facebook, by . IMO, that tactics is no different from what Microsoft did Internet Explorer back in the early 2000s: Microsoft merged Internet Explorer with Windows. Microsoft was ultimately brought to courts in the US and EU, and was ordered by the US and EU courts to separate IE from Windows. Why hasn't Google suffered the same fate when it has been doing exactly what Microsoft did?

Anyway. I am seriously thinking about it. I've never sued anyone or any company before. I'm wondering on how I can proceed, and if anyone wants to join me.

you can use an android device without google services, on a lot of devices, you can remove them with a little know how with Android. you can also buy a device without any google Apps like the Amazon Fire phone.
So a lawsuit comes down to, you dont want to use what is on your phone..their response most likely be don't use the service that is unwanted.
 
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When I refused to to use Google+, I was not allowed to use many features in the Play store and apps.

There's no requirement to "use" Google+. You're required to have a Google account to use Google services, and those include G+, Gmail, YouTube etc. However there's nothing that says you have to actually "use" these. If you don't circle anyone in G+, and never post to it, the world will continue to revolve on its axis quite happily. :)
 
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is it just me or am I immune to this 'requirement?' I still have my older pre-G+ era YouTube account, 80stvfan09 that I created in 2009, that continues to work, and can be switched to easily, so I am not 'required' to use G+ to comment. when they migrated to G+ integration I was nagged but eventually given the option to continue to use my old name, with reduced function, yet can freely comment on YouTube videos and subscribe so what type of 'reduced function' is beyond me.
 
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I've been thinking about using a lawsuit to force Google to separate Android and Google+. I personally do not use - and will never use - any "social networking" site like Facebook or Google+. When I decided to adopt Android, Google+ was not integrated into Android. When I refused to to use Google+, I was not allowed to use many features in the Play store and apps. Basically, Google is forcing Android users to adopt Google+ so Google can compete with Facebook, and penalizes Android users who refuse to adopt Google+ (which I do.) If I had known Google+ would be integrated into Android, I would have never adopted Android. I definitely feel that I have been baited and switched by Google.

Then Google pulled a bait-and-switch in order to compete with Facebook, by . IMO, that tactics is no different from what Microsoft did Internet Explorer back in the early 2000s: Microsoft merged Internet Explorer with Windows. Microsoft was ultimately brought to courts in the US and EU, and was ordered by the US and EU courts to separate IE from Windows. Why hasn't Google suffered the same fate when it has been doing exactly what Microsoft did?

Because Google+ and other Google services are NOT integrated into Android. There's no monopoly or antitrust issues here at all. No Androids in China have G+ or anything Google in them, same with the Amazon Fire devices. and same with the Nokia Android phones which have Microsoft instead.

G+ might be integrated into some of Google's own services, but that's not Android. Even if a device comes with Google's services "With Google", there's no obligation to use it, you can go to Amazon for your apps if you want, and you can use things like Google Search, Maps and YouTube without even making a Google account.
 
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I do wonder how Android L will change things? I mean, Android Wear is essentially using a tinier version of L of sorts, but requires Google apps to run. you cannot use the watch without at least enabling Google Now.

so I wonder how tightly Android L will integrate Google and if it will even work well without it. I never even use Play Store and only have Google Now enabled and Maps and Hangouts enabled to give the watch full-features, but that's it.
 
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is it just me or am I immune to this 'requirement?' I still have my older pre-G+ era YouTube account, 80stvfan09 that I created in 2009, that continues to work, and can be switched to easily, so I am not 'required' to use G+ to comment. when they migrated to G+ integration I was nagged but eventually given the option to continue to use my old name, with reduced function, yet can freely comment on YouTube videos and subscribe so what type of 'reduced function' is beyond me.
I'm quite sure you had to create a G+ account to comment on youtube with your old account, as did I.
 
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I do wonder how Android L will change things? I mean, Android Wear is essentially using a tinier version of L of sorts, but requires Google apps to run. you cannot use the watch without at least enabling Google Now.

so I wonder how tightly Android L will integrate Google and if it will even work well without it. I never even use Play Store and only have Google Now enabled and Maps and Hangouts enabled to give the watch full-features, but that's it.

I don't think Android L will change things, will continue to be mostly AOSP. You'll still be able to install your apps from third-parties, and use whatever other services you like. Android Wear depends on Google Now for functionality, but that is still AOSP though, so swap Google for Amazon or Baidu or Tencent or whatever, and you still got Android Wear. The major change for Android L is going over to ART rather than Dalvik, and that doesn't need Google at all.
 
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I don't have a G+ profile, and the only inconvenience I suffer is the inability to review apps on the Play Store. I use an old Gmail account with the Play Store which predates G+ - there was never any secret that you'd need a Google account to use the Google Play Store, same as you need an Apple account for the iOS App Store.

As others have said, you don't have any case worth wasting time on. But I think you are dead wrong about Google wanting to compete with FB - I don't think they care if you never use G+ as a social network. Their business is collecting data they can use to sell ads, and G+'s purpose is to tie more of your activities together by trying to maintain a common login across them. That's it.
 
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On my other phone, I am signed in only on my old university account (that use Google apps). The school administrator has Google + disabled for all accounts. You can't create a profile of you wanted to. I've never run into issues with it. I can download apps, use YouTube, etc. I don't review apps anyways, so I didn't test that.
 
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I'm quite sure you had to create a G+ account to comment on youtube with your old account, as did I.

Nope. in fact, '80stvfan09' isn't even linked to a G+ account. I can just as easily swap to it to comment or subscribe to channels fine. only my 'nickdalzell1' account is tied to my G+ profile.

Google gives my previous account 'limited functionality' with sites but the only thing I notice is that I cannot choose a contact photo for that account, so it stays blank.
 
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Well, personally I think the same way. I rarely use any social network because I don't like them. So, when I found out that I must have a Google+ account to be able to comment on Play Store or Youtube, I got pretty pissed. I think it was better before. But anyway, I don't think that us suing Google for something that seems to be OK for 99% of people would result in any kind of success.
 
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Google needs to break down its services. I just ran into a dropdown on the phone for a Samsung printer. It said that Google wanted my account added to its printing services now and forever. You have to NOT AGREE each time you use the printer.
(printing out med schedules for cat) If you don't agree, you can eventually print with wifi alone.

I tried all the other setups, but Color OS on the Oppo doesn't work that way. I get "success" if I try NFC, then nothing.
The printer shows as an offset against our regular wifi. It doesn't have its own password, and it won't accept the main for the printer.

One of my crafts can use the phone to set up a die cut. You need to photograph the item on a special grid, then you can work with it. It will work with a cell phone.
 
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