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What annoys me is that I never wanted google+. Google et al constantly try to force you into their systems, for a while you had to have a google+ account to be

by tjoff 8y ago

What annoys me is that I never wanted google+. Google et al constantly try to force you into their systems, for a while you had to have a google+ account to be able to use hangouts. So when I had to use hangouts I felt it necessary to create a dummy-account that I only used for hangouts (and tried my best to ensure my google+-profile was as locked down as possible). Thanks for that one! I'm terrified every time there is a new android update (or new device) that I will accidentally missclick something and bam, all your photos are now synced to google photos. If not instantly some genius will simplify the experience and make all your photos public since that's what everyone should want anyway. Do I have a youtube account? I don't know(!). I've tried my best to avoid it.

dvfjsdhgfv 8y ago
I you use Android, you should always use a separate (dummy) Google account for it. It is equally important to use non-Google apps for Google services such as Gmail and YouTube, otherwise they'll link your accounts anyway.
- tjoff 8y ago
  I've got a separate google account for pretty much each google service I use. Which isn't much, the only one of value is my android-account that manage my app-store purchases. Unfortunately, yes, it is trivial for google to link the accounts together. But I truly doubt they would do that, and they can not be certain that just because they are used on the same device that they have the same owner. But the trick is to not store anything sensitive on any of them. If google started require a phone number linked to the accounts I'd quickly investigate the option of generating dummy (but not one-time use) numbers. And if that fails I'd just stop using those services.
  - cmroanirgo 8y ago
    > If google started require a phone number linked to the accounts Google now requires a phone number when creating a new google account - I wanted to make a new one yesterday... and decided not to make one after all.
    - dvfjsdhgfv 8y ago
      I use throw-away prepaid SIM cards for dummy Gmail accounts where the number recycling is not a problem.

by tjoff 8y ago

dvfjsdhgfv 8y ago

I you use Android, you should always use a separate (dummy) Google account for it. It is equally important to use non-Google apps for Google services such as Gmail and YouTube, otherwise they'll link your accounts anyway.

tjoff 8y ago
I've got a separate google account for pretty much each google service I use. Which isn't much, the only one of value is my android-account that manage my app-store purchases. Unfortunately, yes, it is trivial for google to link the accounts together. But I truly doubt they would do that, and they can not be certain that just because they are used on the same device that they have the same owner. But the trick is to not store anything sensitive on any of them. If google started require a phone number linked to the accounts I'd quickly investigate the option of generating dummy (but not one-time use) numbers. And if that fails I'd just stop using those services.
- cmroanirgo 8y ago
  > If google started require a phone number linked to the accounts Google now requires a phone number when creating a new google account - I wanted to make a new one yesterday... and decided not to make one after all.
  - dvfjsdhgfv 8y ago
    I use throw-away prepaid SIM cards for dummy Gmail accounts where the number recycling is not a problem.