Using Android but Google is pissing me off

ktchong · Dec 25, 2012

Is anyone else being offended by Google's more and more aggressive intrusive tactics?

Google keeps forcing people to use its Google+, and penalizes anyone who does not join its Google+. (Example: YouTube now is integrated with Google+; YouTube users can no longer post videos or comments without an active Google+ account.) Once you open a Google+ account, then Google wants you to give over your real name and real identity and everything, so Google can start profiling you. That is offensive. Once Google gets any of your information, it's impossible to get Google to permanently remove the information from Google.

Google is getting pushier and pushier. Most unfortunately, Android requires a Google account to use.

I've already deleted the Google+, YouTube (oh man, it's almost impossible to delete my YouTube account,) and all other Google services that are associated with my Android account. I am also deleting all my contacts on Google and moving them elsewhere. I created a "dummy" Google account for those services. So I can isolate my Android account from other Google services, and prevent Google from profiling me.

I have also stopped using Google search altogether... because Google really offends me. I've started m using Bing simply because I want to avoid Google. I'm glad I did because Bing gives away free Amazon gift cards with its Bing search points. (I shop almost exclusively on Amazon.)

I'm never using Google search again.

Also, I'm removing Google Maps, Navigator and all other Google services on my Android phone, and replacing them with other services. The only Google service I'll be using on Android is the unavoidable Google Play. Everything else, I'll avoid using Google altogether.

I may actually switch to iPhone, just because Google is seriously pissing me off.

KENNECTED · Dec 25, 2012

ktchong said:
Is anyone else being offended by Google's more and more aggressive intrusive tactics?

Google keeps forcing people to use its Google+, and penalizes anyone who does not join its Google+. (Example: YouTube now is integrated with Google+; YouTube users can no longer post videos or comments without an active Google+ account.) Once you open a Google+ account, then Google wants you to give over your real name and real identity and everything, so Google can start profiling you. That is offensive. Once Google gets any of your information, it's impossible to get Google to permanently remove the information from Google.

Google is getting pushier and pushier. Most unfortunately, Android requires a Google account to use.

I've already deleted the Google+, YouTube (oh man, it's almost impossible to delete my YouTube account,) and all other Google services that are associated with my Android account. I am also deleting all my contacts on Google and moving them elsewhere. I created a "dummy" Google account for those services. So I can isolate my Android account from other Google services, and prevent Google from profiling me.

I have also stopped using Google search altogether... because Google really offends me. I've started m using Bing simply because I want to avoid Google. I'm glad I did because Bing gives away free Amazon gift cards with its Bing search points. (I shop almost exclusively on Amazon.)

I'm never using Google search again.

Also, I'm removing Google Maps, Navigator and all other Google services on my Android phone, and replacing them with other services. The only Google service I'll be using on Android is the unavoidable Google Play. Everything else, I'll avoid using Google altogether.

I may actually switch to iPhone, just because Google is seriously pissing me off.

No issue with it here. I think it adds credibility to the end user.

Since you are not using Google products, you should be all square and your issue is solved.

nickdalzell · Dec 25, 2012

You don't need a Google+ account, you need a Google Account period. Google+ and other 'Google Apps' use the same user ID kinda like how all Yahoo! Apps (Mail, Messenger, Flickr) use the Same Yahoo! ID.

The only gripe I have with Google lately is their search results usually get spammed with useless meta crawler pages such as askmefast or fixya

annebrooks64 · Dec 25, 2012

And if you switch to iPhone then you'll be paranoid about apple profiling you. You will only be able to download stuff from the unavoidable app store or iTunes. Buy a "dumb" phone and stay off the internet if you don't want any company tracking you. Bing will track what you do just as much as Google.

zuben el genub · Dec 25, 2012

Use Duck Duck Go or Startpage. Both work on Android.

I don't like the push to + as I don't have anything to say, and if I want to blog, I'll use Livejournal. I don't post to Youtube. I don't do social sites. I took down all pics from Picasa, and deleted stuff from Blogger. I'm waiting to see if communities get taken over by idiots like some of the old Usenet ones did.

I have about 10 different account names, none of them my real one, and I'll be damned if I'm giving my real one out. I have email all over associated with each one.

I use the above search engines on XP and Ubuntu, have FX so locked down that Youtube mostly won't run - (I'll open Youtube in Iron) Bing is in the hosts file and so are Groupon and MSN. The Google search bar is not available. I won't use it anyway, so might as well hide it. Often turn GPS off, too. Don't need that except for weather and astronomy.

Phone is rooted, all social stuff and half of Google's stuff is gone. I don't need it. I know where I am, how to avoid rush hour, can find my friends without Google's help.
All local restaurants are lousy, so is any entertainment, and what I do buy is not readily available. Most items you have to purchase from a local dealer, so I subscribe to newsletters for most of those sites. I'm impervious to any advertising anyway - it's all BS. The fact that someone thinks they know what I want does annoy me.

I need my nature guides, road logs, ephemeris, and those don't run on dumb phones.

5280Man · Dec 25, 2012

Allowing Google to profile us for target marketing is our way of paying for all the services we use. It's a very small price to pay for the convenience we get everyday from the use of their products. By integrating their products and making a tighter ecosystem they are able to offer better products that work seemless with each other. Personally, I like having one username and password. In today's world we sometimes get overwhelmed with what username and password did we use for that website or service. Google has streamlined this. Others have as well.

You have the option to use whatever email you want. Whatever search company you want. You have the option to use whatever service you want. You have chosen to use Google and its products for a reason. Because they're the best! Support them and enjoy the use of all their products for FREE!!

5280Man · Dec 25, 2012

Update: I just read the last line of your post. Good luck and I hope you enjoy the Apple ecosystem. It's a very good ecosystem as well. Hey, they're losing a huge market share to Google everyday, it will be good for them to gain someone in return.

Personally, I hope you choose to stay with Android. By your complaints it sounds like Google and Android is the best ecosystem for you. However, sometimes we have to step outside and test the waters somewhere else. Bing is a great search engine. Better than Google search? No, but very close to being equal. Bing collects just as much data on you as Google does. The only reason you aren't upset with Bing like you are with Google and how Google is forcing your hand with Youtube is because Microsoft does not have a service like Youtube. Let me clarify, they don't have a service as big and as developed and as polished as Youtube.

Each ecosystem has its advantages and strengths. Your daily habits will dictate which ecosystem is right for you.

ktchong · Dec 25, 2012

I'm just saying the US government or the EU government or BOTH need to bring anti-trust lawsuits to Google to set Google straight. What Google is doing with Google+, YouTube and its other services is just like what Microsoft was doing with Windows and Internet Explorer -- and that kind of anti-trust practice merits a lawsuits or two, or more.

5280Man · Dec 25, 2012

Whoa!!!! Where did THAT come from?!? Slow down there kid. Who licked your lollipop? Cool down, it's Christmas after all. Merry Christmas my friend.

Mikestony · Dec 25, 2012

@op, I moved your thread to the Google Forum and please don't think I did that to spite you based on your views of Google...it is not my intent

Just feel more folks can discuss this here, that's all

5280Man · Dec 25, 2012

Google is not doing anything anti-trust and there's no need for the government to get involved. The IE lawsuits and this issue are totally different. Based on your argument, then computer manufacturers and car manufacturers should be sued by the government as well. If I buy a Chevy car why should I have to use their engine? Why can't I order it with the new Ford ecoboost engine? I like the ecoboost better so I should have the RIGHT to have it in my Chevy when I purchase it new. Don't go shoving your crappy engines down my throat Chevy. I want that ecoboost in my new Malibu damn it!!

NightAngel79 · Dec 25, 2012

Also, Ms didn't have to remove IE, they were just forced to give users a choice of browsers

5280Man · Dec 25, 2012

Let me explain: When you open a Youtube account or Gmail account you already have a G+ account. It's all the same account with many products. G+ is the product you use in your Google account to make posts. In addtion, you can still share youtube videos on FB. Nothing is preventing you from that. The reason Google isn't doing anything anti-trust is because you already conceded to using Youtube. It's ALL the same account my friend.

The reason this is different from the IE lawsuits is because Microsoft was intentionally preventing people from using other browsers and forcing them to use theirs. Google is NOT preventing you from using facebook. You can also share your youtube videos on facebook. I see why you may think this is an anti-trust issue, but it just isn't. There are differences. Enjoy the services that Google offers you for free and deal with the few, very very few, things they don't do that you think they should.

zuben el genub · Dec 25, 2012

If you got your Google account right when Mail first started, you should be grandfathered to just mail. These other services were not available and it is fairly presumptive of Google to decide that everyone wants them. I don't even think that inclusion into everything Google planned was in the original TOS. They tried that with Buzz and there was such a stink, Buzz got dropped.

As each new service was added, it should have been offered as an option. If you want it, OK

Any Youtube accounts were opened before Google bought Youtube.

5280Man · Dec 25, 2012

zuben el genub said:
If you got your Google account right when Mail first started, you should be grandfathered to just mail. These other services were not available and it is fairly presumptive of Google to decide that everyone wants them. I don't even think that inclusion into everything Google planned was in the original TOS. They tried that with Buzz and there was such a stink, Buzz got dropped.

As each new service was added, it should have been offered as an option. If you want it, OK

Any Youtube accounts were opened before Google bought Youtube.

While I do agree with you, Google does not say you have to use them. You do not have to use G+. You do not have to use Youtube or any other products you do not want to use. They are products that are apart of your account. Use what you want. Google is not forcing you to use any services. The Opening Poster wants to use Youtube but thinks that he is being forced to use G+. He's not. He wants to post on Youtube annonymously. He blames Google and G+ because he cannot do that. He sees a problem, I do not. There are many aspects to G+, posting on Youtube does not involve many many aspects of G+. When he posts on Youtube he is using his Google account. G+ is a product that is part of his account. For example, he can upload all his pictures into the cloud with DropBox. He doesn't have to use G+. He can use FB for all his social media and keeping up on friends. He can link his Android phone to FB.

Every ecosystem or product that has the option for comments or ratings requires you to have an account or a profile. How is Google any different than any other ecosystem or product for its requirements? He already has a Youtube account, what's the difference if he posts on Youtube with his FB account or Google account? It makes more sense to post with his Google account.

zuben el genub · Dec 26, 2012

I started my email under an alias when GMail first came out. The account I gave as a reference was an ISP (also an alias), and we dumped that ISP years ago. I haven't spammed or misused any service. Using my real name was not required and should not be required now.

My FB account is under a different name. Everything on there is marked "only me" as all I use FB for is for companies that do CS that way. I will not sign into a site using a login for another site. I also will not use a "like" button until the site gives me an "eff off" button to go with it. I simply got tired of a friend of a friend crap. So I went to the only me.

Twitter and Yahoo are under different names again. I am not aggregating any of them. I do not use automatic sign in - so I have to remember which account goes with what. With FX and Opera, everything gets dumped when I close the browser.

My big spat is the demographics and one size fits all. If I get ads, I want relevant ads. The questionnaires simply don't cover only hobbies. The minute you put in gender, you are condemned.
I've worked with demographics. I simply don't fit mine. Our buyers for air time told me I was the biggest PITA for advertising they had seen.

I'd also like Google to put a log out on the mobile web site. I usually use the computer and have to log in and out there.

5280Man · Dec 26, 2012

zuben el genub said:
I started my email under an alias when GMail first came out. The account I gave as a reference was an ISP (also an alias), and we dumped that ISP years ago. I haven't spammed or misused any service. Using my real name was not required and should not be required now.

My FB account is under a different name. Everything on there is marked "only me" as all I use FB for is for companies that do CS that way. I will not sign into a site using a login for another site. I also will not use a "like" button until the site gives me an "eff off" button to go with it. I simply got tired of a friend of a friend crap. So I went to the only me.

Twitter and Yahoo are under different names again. I am not aggregating any of them. I do not use automatic sign in - so I have to remember which account goes with what. With FX and Opera, everything gets dumped when I close the browser.

My big spat is the demographics and one size fits all. If I get ads, I want relevant ads. The questionnaires simply don't cover only hobbies. The minute you put in gender, you are condemned.
I've worked with demographics. I simply don't fit mine. Our buyers for air time told me I was the biggest PITA for advertising they had seen.

I'd also like Google to put a log out on the mobile web site. I usually use the computer and have to log in and out there.

Sounds like you found a way to operate on the internet that works for you. This would be an option for the OP. Hopefully he's still reading this and considers your way of operating rather than just complaining about the system.

zuben el genub · Dec 26, 2012

The internet is one huge library, and the phone and tablet are library cards.

Using Android but Google is pissing me off

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