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The place where I currently work assigned me a gmail address, and I wanted to check them on my phone. I was using k9 for my personal stuff, and wanted another
by BiteCode_dev 6y ago
The place where I currently work assigned me a gmail address, and I wanted to check them on my phone.
I was using k9 for my personal stuff, and wanted another app for the pro mails, so I pulled out the gmail app.
Just one step before finalizing the setup process, I realized that google was asking me to accept Google Play terms of service.
WTF?
It turns out the gmail app setup process does much more, google takes over your entire phone, binding the omniscient google account to it, and all apps using google sdk, the calendar, maps, etc.
I innocently wanted to check my work mails, and if I hadn't being cautious, I would have given my whole life to Google despite the fact I took great length to never do that (I don't have a personnal gmail/youtube account, I use an alternative app store, etc.)
Sneaky, and scary. There is no way regular users notice that.
- tsjq 6y agoWoah ! That's scary
- hundchenkatze 6y agoI agree it's unfortunate you can't setup just one of their services. However, if you're not running a custom Android ROM that explicitly does not include any of Google's services then they could still collect whatever they want (from a technical perspective).