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I think one of the problems is "what is google" and "what is phoning home". So many of these services make simple requests that wouldn't be considered "phoning

I think one of the problems is "what is google" and "what is phoning home". So many of these services make simple requests that wouldn't be considered "phoning home" but absolutely fall into that category. Additionally, the number of google products and the number of calls being made is vast.

bko 5y ago
I don't expect apps to be collecting data when not in the app. I think I get a permission warning like "this device uses GPS - allow when in app, allow in background, etc" But with android, I just want to know if there is a log of every place I go for instance and does this get sent to Google periodically. This is outside of the map app. Also, I definitely want to know if it's recording data any time apart for when the microphone indicator is on. This is on an OS level. I know there's some nuances, but I think what I am asking for is pretty basic.
- izacus 5y ago
  > But with android, I just want to know if there is a log of every place I go for instance and does this get sent to Google periodically. This is outside of the map app. There's two ways this can happen: - There's a feature called "Location History" which does exactly what it says - reports your location periodically to Google. You can disable it under Location settings on Android. - Your location may leak via IP requests in background - the most common way would be via persistent connection to FCM servers (servers that provide push messages, analogous to Apples Push notification services) or when the phone background syncs. Similarlly, you can leak your location to websites by simply browsing with your phone. > Also, I definitely want to know if it's recording data any time apart for when the microphone indicator is on. This is on an OS level. As far as I know there new microphone switches and notifications are implemented deep enough in AOSP code that a piece of software can't easily open the microphones without triggering that notification.
  - 1vuio0pswjnm7 5y ago
    What about IP geolocation "leaks" to time.android.com and time.apple.com It can be periodic. No way to turn it off.
    - izacus 5y ago
      About the same thing - same for internet connectivity checks which go to Apple/Google as well.

bko 5y ago

I don't expect apps to be collecting data when not in the app. I think I get a permission warning like "this device uses GPS - allow when in app, allow in background, etc" But with android, I just want to know if there is a log of every place I go for instance and does this get sent to Google periodically. This is outside of the map app. Also, I definitely want to know if it's recording data any time apart for when the microphone indicator is on. This is on an OS level. I know there's some nuances, but I think what I am asking for is pretty basic.

izacus 5y ago
> But with android, I just want to know if there is a log of every place I go for instance and does this get sent to Google periodically. This is outside of the map app. There's two ways this can happen: - There's a feature called "Location History" which does exactly what it says - reports your location periodically to Google. You can disable it under Location settings on Android. - Your location may leak via IP requests in background - the most common way would be via persistent connection to FCM servers (servers that provide push messages, analogous to Apples Push notification services) or when the phone background syncs. Similarlly, you can leak your location to websites by simply browsing with your phone. > Also, I definitely want to know if it's recording data any time apart for when the microphone indicator is on. This is on an OS level. As far as I know there new microphone switches and notifications are implemented deep enough in AOSP code that a piece of software can't easily open the microphones without triggering that notification.
- 1vuio0pswjnm7 5y ago
  What about IP geolocation "leaks" to time.android.com and time.apple.com It can be periodic. No way to turn it off.
  - izacus 5y ago
    About the same thing - same for internet connectivity checks which go to Apple/Google as well.