4 ms·

Having always been careful about ensuring that my Android phones don't accidentally get logged into any Google account, I'm all for this change and glad that Go

Having always been careful about ensuring that my Android phones don't accidentally get logged into any Google account, I'm all for this change and glad that Google is actually making life easier for once.

Tharkun 9y ago
I find this very hard to do. Which Android devices do you use? Most of the ones I've touched don't have an obvious way to opt out of google crapware and google accounts.
- marssaxman 9y ago
  I currently have a Moto G; I previously used a Moto X, and before that a Galaxy Nexus. Of course the google apps nag me to log in or create an account, if I happen to launch one by accident, but the phone itself works fine without one. For one of the phones I couldn't find a way to get through setup without creating a google account, so I just entered a bunch of garbage info, then deleted or froze all the google related services and reset the accounts database. Its sole entry after that was my Signal login.
- codedokode 9y ago
  On my chinese noname Android 5.1 phone I didn't register on the initial screen and it just works without using Google account. I don't use Google Play and other Google apps though.
natch 9y ago
Do you think none of your data makes it to Google in any form if you aren't logged in? Like, say, use of maps and web browsing? Association between the data and you is easy. As long as you've ever logged in to Google on a desktop (or any device for that matter), and another third party non-Google account on the same device, the moment you log into that third-party (non-Google) account on the phone, your identity could be tied to the data by Google if Google has a data sharing partnership that enables that with the third party. Even if you refrain from logging in to a Google account on the phone.
- marssaxman 9y ago
  Of course I don't think it's absolute protection. It is simply one piece of a defense in depth. Why should I make it easy for them? I don't use Google's browser or maps on my phone, anyway.
  - takeda 9y ago
    Same with the browser, but what do you used to replace maps?
    - John_KZ 9y ago
      Open streeet map and wikimapia work fine for me. Streetview however can't be replaced for the time being and it's very useful.

Tharkun 9y ago

I find this very hard to do. Which Android devices do you use? Most of the ones I've touched don't have an obvious way to opt out of google crapware and google accounts.

marssaxman 9y ago
I currently have a Moto G; I previously used a Moto X, and before that a Galaxy Nexus. Of course the google apps nag me to log in or create an account, if I happen to launch one by accident, but the phone itself works fine without one. For one of the phones I couldn't find a way to get through setup without creating a google account, so I just entered a bunch of garbage info, then deleted or froze all the google related services and reset the accounts database. Its sole entry after that was my Signal login.
codedokode 9y ago
On my chinese noname Android 5.1 phone I didn't register on the initial screen and it just works without using Google account. I don't use Google Play and other Google apps though.

natch 9y ago

Do you think none of your data makes it to Google in any form if you aren't logged in? Like, say, use of maps and web browsing? Association between the data and you is easy. As long as you've ever logged in to Google on a desktop (or any device for that matter), and another third party non-Google account on the same device, the moment you log into that third-party (non-Google) account on the phone, your identity could be tied to the data by Google if Google has a data sharing partnership that enables that with the third party. Even if you refrain from logging in to a Google account on the phone.

marssaxman 9y ago
Of course I don't think it's absolute protection. It is simply one piece of a defense in depth. Why should I make it easy for them? I don't use Google's browser or maps on my phone, anyway.
- takeda 9y ago
  Same with the browser, but what do you used to replace maps?
  - John_KZ 9y ago
    Open streeet map and wikimapia work fine for me. Streetview however can't be replaced for the time being and it's very useful.