Hacker News Reader

> Without permission, without compensation, and with little in the way of resistance, the company seized and declared ownership over everyone’s information.

No, Google has permission - it's given when you click I Agree in Android, or when you sign up for a Google account, or when you continue to use a website that has a 'terms of use' page.

View on HN

in reality the permission was given the moment that people buy the phone. Nobody is going to realistically buy a phone and then deny the terms. TBH the idea that users consent because they click a button is bogus unless something like money is at stake.

I think they should try adding warning signs to phone packages, like they do in cigarettes, "tracking inside" , and see how this affects consumer choices.

In reality the permission was given the moment that people buy the phone.

Not for Google. Permission is given when you agree to sign up for a Google account. Google tries to trick you into signing up by using a dark pattern. Just click "Later", then remove the signup app. I've been doing that for years now on Android phones.

And with compensation too. Barter is compensation.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com