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Ask HN: Isn't GBoard basically a key logger?

Along with any closed source keyboard app, are you paranoid that they are privy to basically any and everything you do on your phone?

100011 7y ago
If you are using a Google product (ie. Android), NSA most definitely already knows everything you do on it anyways ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Nextgrid 7y ago
Anything that’s from an advertising company should be considered suspicious, just like you should consider it suspicious when an alcoholic wants to “help” guard a warehouse or truck full of booze.
WhiteOwlLion 7y ago
They've stated GBoard is local only and predictive suggestions are generated from usage history within the device itself. https://www.macworld.com/article/3070767/googles-gboard-doesnt-send-your-keystrokes-but-it-does-leak-chicken-and-noodles.html https://www.macworld.com/article/3070767/googles-gboard-does... Obviously GIF suggestion and G searches from GBoard is not private.
ktpsns 7y ago
The question is a bit foolish: "Is [insert softkeyboard application here] basically a key loger?" -- well, the softboard itself is the key generator, if you want. By definition, it has control over all input. By definition it can do anything it wants with it. If you don't trust Google, don't use Google software. A LineageOS installation doesn't come with the GBoard but instead the plain Android softboard which is the same without the fancy features (i.e. lacking Google search, image search, etc.).
Spoom 7y ago
Google uses Federated Learning to ensure your privacy while being able to use machine learning to e.g. improve suggestions. 1. Federated learning paper as relates to keyboard [PDF]: https://arxiv.org/pdf/1812.02903.pdf https://arxiv.org/pdf/1812.02903.pdf 2. Federated learning comic: https://federated.withgoogle.com/ https://federated.withgoogle.com/ (I'm personally not a machine learning expert and I found this pretty informative while being accessible.) Disclaimer: I am a Google employee, my opinions are my own and I don't claim to speak for my employer.
- quietthrow 7y ago
  My understanding is that they plan to do that on google board with the next version.

Along with any closed source keyboard app, are you paranoid that they are privy to basically any and everything you do on your phone?

100011 7y ago

If you are using a Google product (ie. Android), NSA most definitely already knows everything you do on it anyways ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Nextgrid 7y ago

Anything that’s from an advertising company should be considered suspicious, just like you should consider it suspicious when an alcoholic wants to “help” guard a warehouse or truck full of booze.

WhiteOwlLion 7y ago

They've stated GBoard is local only and predictive suggestions are generated from usage history within the device itself. https://www.macworld.com/article/3070767/googles-gboard-doesnt-send-your-keystrokes-but-it-does-leak-chicken-and-noodles.html https://www.macworld.com/article/3070767/googles-gboard-does... Obviously GIF suggestion and G searches from GBoard is not private.

ktpsns 7y ago

The question is a bit foolish: "Is [insert softkeyboard application here] basically a key loger?" -- well, the softboard itself is the key generator, if you want. By definition, it has control over all input. By definition it can do anything it wants with it. If you don't trust Google, don't use Google software. A LineageOS installation doesn't come with the GBoard but instead the plain Android softboard which is the same without the fancy features (i.e. lacking Google search, image search, etc.).

Spoom 7y ago

Google uses Federated Learning to ensure your privacy while being able to use machine learning to e.g. improve suggestions. 1. Federated learning paper as relates to keyboard [PDF]: https://arxiv.org/pdf/1812.02903.pdf https://arxiv.org/pdf/1812.02903.pdf 2. Federated learning comic: https://federated.withgoogle.com/ https://federated.withgoogle.com/ (I'm personally not a machine learning expert and I found this pretty informative while being accessible.) Disclaimer: I am a Google employee, my opinions are my own and I don't claim to speak for my employer.

quietthrow 7y ago
My understanding is that they plan to do that on google board with the next version.