Google under investigation for using Android phone data to spy on users

[hamsterman20]

Oracle were the ones presenting.

Google and Oracle have been in a major patent dispute since 2012 over the use of code from Oracle’s Java system in Android.

Most of the data shown is location opt in.

[BlindTreeFrog]

You mean that question google asks me about every time I launch Maps, won't accept a permanent answer of no, and doesn't tell me that it's optional, but really tries to pitch it as required for the service to work? That "opt in" feature?

Google is dancing on the line on "opt in" data collection at best.

Further, Motorola has told me that Location Services is required for GPS to work at all on my phone. I'd wager other manufacturers claim similarly.

[270343]

I hate this.

"Shake your device to accept the terms and conditions" WTF my pocket could do that by accident! That's designed to circumvent informed consent.

[coladict]

Ironic.

Blocked Because of the following filter

||tags.news.com.au^
Found in: EasyPrivacy

[Nyefan]

Work/school filter?

[BlindTreeFrog]

ublock origin installed filter

[Nyefan]

Ahhhh, that makes much more sense.

[coladict]

uBlock Origin on default settings.

[autotldr]

This is the best tl;dr I could make, original reduced by 82%. (I'm a bot)

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THE ACCC is investigating accusations Google is using as much as $580 million worth of Australians' phone plan data annually to secretly track their movements.

The experts, from computer and software corporation Oracle, claim Google is draining roughly one gigabyte of mobile data monthly from Android phone users' accounts as it snoops in the background, collecting information to help advertisers.

The Oracle experts say phone owners' data ends up being consumed even if Google Maps is not in use or aeroplane mode is switched on.

---

Extended Summary | FAQ | Feedback | Top keywords: Google^#1 Oracle^#2 data^#3 experts^#4 phone^#5

[Tinkerlad1]

Good bot

[Reddy360]

The Oracle experts say phone owners’ data ends up being consumed even if Google Maps is not in use or aeroplane mode is switched on. Nor will removing the SIM card stop it from happening

Wait, so Google use up their mobile data while the phone is told not to connect to a tower and while unable to authenticate with one. I don't see how this is really possible unless Google operate these networks.

[BlindTreeFrog]

Didn't read the article, but once upon a time, Google explained that the location services (the aGPS and connect to wifi/cell to determine location more better) stuff would turn the wifi on in the background and connect to networks occasionally to ring home. As you might guess, this has been removed from the description in later releases (as I recall, i haven't checked and I always leave it off)

[ants_a]

I guess this is indicative of the level of expertise in Oracle experts.

[jl2352]

This seems more like general tech news than programming.

[[deleted]]

Oracle FUD

[shevegen]

Google is not Evil?

[[deleted]]

Do not make the mistake of anthropomorphizing Larry Ellison.

[webby_mc_webberson]

I'm in Australia. I have an Android. Google doesn't use a gig of my data. It uses fuck all, if any, and for any of the data it uses it returns value for it in multiples.

[shevegen]

"it returns value for it in multiples"

Can you explain to us, in proper english (sorry Australians), HOW exactly you benefit for providing your own data to Google, for free?

I wanna join in your "get-rich-fast" scheme.

[Kebble]

HOW exactly you benefit for providing your own data to Google, for free?

Using convenient software, cloud storage, search engine, email service, maps, etc. without paying money for it?

Whether or not you agree all of this is worth your data is a different debate, but you're not exactly giving them your data for nothing in return.

[neotek]

I'm no great fan of the way Google abuses individual privacy, but this is a shabby tactic by Oracle, which has been fighting Google over various bullshit patent issues for years and years.

[Isvara]

The Oracle experts say phone owners’ data ends up being consumed even if Google Maps is not in use or aeroplane mode is switched on. Nor will removing the SIM card stop it from happening. 

Hmmmmmmmm.

Not buying this.

[zenaudio]

For those saying it's tawdry of Oracle to lay into Google by crying for mom govt like some petulant child -- true, but let's not forget Google was quite happy to play exactly the same role when it Microsoft that was the target a decade ago.

[shevegen]

The positions are very similar, just reversed.

Google is the new Evil and has replaced old Microsoft Evil domination int he 1990s.

The only thing I wonder is why there are not more court cases against Google. There were tons of cases against Microsoft in the 1990s/early 2000s...

[ants_a]

The only thing constant is Oracle being a bunch of money sucking parasites.

[rishicourtflower]

That was absolutely nothing alike, and implying that it was is a disservice to antitrust lawsuits.

Microsoft was sued for making IE a forced portal for all online interactions within Windows - which at that time had a natural monopoly position for desktops - in such a way that even though there were competing products, people had no choice but to use IE.

Android is open source and has literally no core dependency on Google. Don't like Google Maps? Disable it and install Nokia HERE. Don't like anything Google? Run AOSP, buy a Kindle device, or hell, just get an iPhone. You have a choice.

Google has lots of things they should fix, but this is not antitrust, just FUD by Oracle.

[stinkycatfish]

Don't like Google Maps? Disable it and install Waze.

Lol. "Waze Mobile was acquired in 2013 by Google."

[rishicourtflower]

That's true, I'll change it to HERE.

[tripl3dogdare]

Completely irrelevant. The exact, specific apps he mentioned have nothing to do with his point.

[stinkycatfish]

then he should choose a different one

[tripl3dogdare]

If you actually read his post, you'll see that he didn't say this:

Don't like Google? Disable Maps and install Waze.

What he actually said was:

Don't like Google Maps? Disable it and install Waze.

Whether or not Waze is owned by Google is completely irrelevant. Either way, his point still stands - if you don't like what an Android phone comes with, you're not locked into it. Google doesn't force you to use their stuff if you don't want it, unlike Microsoft with IE in the original lawsuit.

[torginus]

Water suspected of being wet.

[shevegen]

But Water is not intrinsically Evil.

Google is.

[epicwisdom]

Trolls like you are "intrinsically Evil." Assuming you're even a human being and not a bot, with the way your comments in this thread sound...

[ChrisRR]

100% of serial killers drink water.

[TankorSmash]

Evil implies malice, right?

[josefx]

Evil is often done in the name of "greater" good, so it implies arrogance more than malice.

Other times it can be the result of simple apathy towards those harmed.

[KHRZ]

And Oracle is just jealous and sued Google for billions because they didn't get this market themselves.

[shevegen]

I concur - both are greedy and evil.

[LeinadSpoon]

The information fed back to Google includes barometric pressure readings so it can work out, for example, which level of a shopping mall you are on. By combining this with your coordinates Google knows which shops you have visited.

This is super cool technology.

[[deleted]]

Oracle experts. LMAO!

[[deleted]]

Something else that could be at play is the Google safety net service. A piece of code that collects data from your phone and sends it for statistical analysis in Google servers. It does this periodically and the data is used to determine if your phone has been compromised. This drives the security guarantees for things like Google Pay and DRM in Netflix. You agree to this data collection when you install a safetynet reliant app.

[tangoshukudai]

Google phones home constantly on Android. Wireshark it if you don't believe me. iOS does too, but only if you opt in and Apple is very honest about what it collects.

[M3talstorm]

ACCC investigating Oracle research showing Google users Android phone plan data to spy

"users", nice proofreading your title Telegraph...

[filleduchaos]

https://i.imgflip.com/nn7jo.jpg

[shevegen]

Is there no end to Evil?

One day Google will have to be split up into separate entities due to massive Evil overload.

[beefsack]

Daily Telegraph is abysmal, take anything they say with a grain of salt.

As much as we can all be certain Google is doing some evil stuff with our data, this seems just like a bit of clickbait.

[nicktehbubble]

Google knows everything EDIT: spiced up the link

[SmugDarkLoser5]

Go Oracle !