> users have a private relationship with Google where they elect to let Google track them and retain their information
Elect to is a bit strong here. Acquiesce to, maybe, or perhaps suffer to.
Elect to is a bit strong here. Acquiesce to, maybe, or perhaps suffer to.
Google has since redesigned this feature so that the history lives on the phone itself, not on their servers (removing the possibility for police officers to request this information from google - search warrant or not).
It becomes harder over time to function in society without a smart phone (I know this because I barely use mine and it usually lives at home but my partner runs her life off hers).
Privacy? Just buy Apple (largely an urban legend at this point, but regardless).
Actual ownership? Just buy Android.
Security? Just buy Apple (or Pixel with GrapheneOS).
Repairability? Just buy one of these 4 Android models.
Headphone jack? lol.
We need laws mandating open and interoperable interfaces and standards for all the things a modern life takes for granted: public transit, banking, digital ID, etc.
Once that's in place, we can start talking about what people are "choosing". Because currently our "choice" is at best between a rock and a hard place (or as we say in my native tongue: between plague and cholera).
The tricky bit is the cell tower location. That cannot be disabled unless you go into Airplane mode or turn your phone off. Broad location (which tower are you associated with) is needed for the network to route your calls, while precise location is used for E911.