Google Play is tracking you – and that’s just the tip of a very large iceberg | Hacker News Reader

Google Play is tracking you – and that’s just the tip of a very large iceberg

extremetech.com

7 pointsghosh7 comments

Is it just me or are we slowly sliding into a world with no privacy at all? Is someone's urge to improve their service a good enough reason to give up your privacy?

Turn off location services. I don't think many people actually need to walk around with GPS active.

I know but there are millions of people who don't even care about that and have no idea that they can be tracked with GPS for advertisement purposes. And, of course, no one is talking about privacy (referring to the mainstream media).

The more you know.

Like most sheep, they're marching to slaughter and don't care. I have friends who have plain, old dumb cells that can't even text. But they are reaching retirement age and it doesn't matter for them. Persons who take an interest in their environment and safety will find out and take measures to safeguard their privacy, but the others, like sheep, will blithely ignore everything and continue to broadcast every facet of their lives to anyone who will listen. There's no hope for them.

I can't even be bothered explaining it to them any longer.

All the more reason to use a custom ROM.

Unless Google Play Services can somehow turn on GPS without it registering as a battery usage item, I doubt they are successful in tracking me.

Yeah, I totally agree with you on that one. But don't think they aren't working on other tracking methods, a lot of us never turn on the GPS option and that ain't good for their business.

That is their prerogative, though, and I don't begrudge them the opportunity to try. But short of setting up in-store cell systems that cut out those of the individual carriers, I don't see how they'll manage it.

I never use in-store wifi and only turn on data if _I_ need data. I'm always amazed by people who complain about battery life, yet wander around with wifi,data, and bluetooth running 24/7. :-)

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