Freaky stuff

[steelo]

So, a few weeks ago I was googling ‘zoning laws’ on my android smartphone while at work. I’m always very careful about providing personal information and believe the only information I entered was my neighborhood I was needing information for - I certainly never requested for any brochures. Well, today the receptionist placed mail addressed to me on my desk which typically is very unusual where I work. Lo and behold, it was a brochure about zoning laws in the city I reside. So, somehow they knew my name, as well as where I work and what floor it needed to be delivered to (This building has 17 floors)

 

 

[YoFavRussian]

Remember it's Android, so google is watching you.

[steelo]

Just now, YoFavRussian said:

Remember it's Android, so google is watching you.

I know, but IMO this is pretty dang extreme to sell my information and then mail out a brochure I never requested.

[YoFavRussian]

1 minute ago, steelo said:

I know, but IMO this is pretty dang extreme to sell my information and then mail out a brochure I never requested.

Android is all I use because I dislike Crapple, but at least you know your zoning laws now. I've had Journey's magazines show up at my front door step with no idea why.

[steelo]

12 minutes ago, YoFavRussian said:

Android is all I use because I dislike Crapple, but at least you know your zoning laws now. I've had Journey's magazines show up at my front door step with no idea why.

I also vehemently dislike Apple, but I'm having second thoughts about purchasing another Android. 

 

I have a co-worker who swears by using 'bing' search engine, supposedly they aren't as intrusive with gathering personal information. He also mentioned that he gets $10 amazon gift cards each month just by using their search engine.

[Zando_]

16 minutes ago, steelo said:

I also vehemently dislike Apple, but I'm having second thoughts about purchasing another Android. 

 

I have a co-worker who swears by using 'bing' search engine, supposedly they aren't as intrusive with gathering personal information. He also mentioned that he gets $10 amazon gift cards each month just by using their search engine.

Pretty sure you can strip a lot of Google's crap out of android, you usually have the freedom to root and remove stuff or run a completely custom ROM. I don't know how far you can go on removing Google services, but I think you can get most of, if not all of them out. 

[steelo]

11 minutes ago, Zando Bob said:

Pretty sure you can strip a lot of Google's crap out of android, you usually have the freedom to root and remove stuff or run a completely custom ROM. I don't know how far you can go on removing Google services, but I think you can get most of, if not all of them out. 

In my younger days, I used to root all of my Android phones. I just don't have the willpower (or time) anymore to potentially brick my phone. I did discover, however under google services that I'm able to 'pause' a lot of the tracking google uses. This at least eases my mind a little...LOL

[Lipe123]

You could also use duckduckgo instead of google to help with all the spying and stuff and install a different browser on your phone like the adblock browser.

[NineEyeRon]

Hurrah for GDPR!

[steelo]

15 hours ago, Lipe123 said:

You could also use duckduckgo instead of google to help with all the spying and stuff and install a different browser on your phone like the adblock browser.

I use duckduckgo on my home PC, I'll have to try it on my Android phone.