I was fully expecting that, but since enshittification recently intensified (Android 15’s bluetooth settings are a giant step back in usability), neither google play nor system in general nor anything from motorola has internet access on my phone, I send everything through RethinkVPN (from f-droid) and block all internet access except for apps that I explicitly allow. I’m just not updating anything except periodically Signal, IronFox and PipePipe.
FelixCress@lemmy.world
on 03 Jul 13:08
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Update of what? Android or something else?
darkdemize@sh.itjust.works
on 03 Jul 15:21
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Yes. It was bundled as part of either a system or security update.
It must be an Android update as that’s all I ever do, and I never installed Gemini. I just checked and it was there, with permissions to access WhatsApp and multiple other apps. I just removed all the permissions and disabled the app. We’ll see if any future updates turn it back on.
Shhhhhneeeeeky bastards.
FelixCress@lemmy.world
on 03 Jul 19:16
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Good that I don’t do any updates apart from some apps.
Pro tip: you can probably uninstall Gemini via ADB. Android won’t let you uninstall it using your phone’s UI, but since it’s just another package you can probably use the old ADB tricks to wipe it from your phone. Use your favorite search engine to figure out how, it’s not exactly a secret.
In the case of my fully updated pixel 9 pro XL, Gemini was installed from the factory. I uninstalled it and installed Google Assistant. It has not re-installed itself for me, and further, I would recommend that if you don’t use Gemini, you uninstall it.
This may change once the July patch hits but. As of right now it’s not currently installed.
darkdemize@sh.itjust.works
on 03 Jul 17:54
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In my case (Galaxy S21) I can only disable it, not uninstall.
In my case it doesnt appear in the App drawer but when I opened assistant it offered me switching to Gemini, which I did. Then within it, went to Apps to disable integrations like WhatsApp which by default was ON. Same with SMS and others.
Gemini was automatically installed for me, and the app connections were all enabled, like the article describes. Better check and be safe than to be sorry
It keeps changing back to Gemini on its own for me even if I don’t use the assistant at all.
chellomere@lemmy.world
on 03 Jul 22:27
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I’m rather confused. I don’t have any app called Gemini installed, but despite this “Hey Google” brings up Gemini. So I have no app to disable, and no way to turn off interaction with other apps. This is on a Samsung A55 in Europe, happily taking advice on how to proceed.
My four year old low-end test device running Android had its assistant switched out from Google Assistant to Gemini. I was very surprised since I'd assumed that the vendor had stopped supporting it since it was so cheap, but it updated anyway.
What I hate most about this is the lack of control over this it implies. Sure, maybe you don’t install this on your device, but all that’s needed for Google to access your messages now is for someone you message to have it installed and enabled, then anything you send to them will be gobbled up by Google.
IsThisAnAI@lemmy.world
on 03 Jul 12:19
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salamandermander@lemmings.world
on 03 Jul 14:21
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The Gemini app. I can’t uninstall it from my phone but I have it disabled. Not sure if Google’s other account access and apps on my phone are going to still feed into Gemini.
Why are you being downvoted for this? In stock devices the user has no way to even start looking at what is being run. All you can do is trust the manufacturer.
starman2112@sh.itjust.works
on 04 Jul 01:58
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Because it’s worth plugging up some privacy holes even if you can’t get all of them. Google already knows my name, address, and phone number, but that’s no reason to let 5th Edition Character Sheet learn it too. They already have gigabytes of personally identifiable data on me, doesn’t mean I’m cool with them bumping that up to terabytes
For those on Pixel devices, check out GrapheneOS. If not CalyxOS or LineageOS
Its important that we have devices that we control. If your phone doesn’t allow bootloader unlock so you can install a different operating system, that’s a problem. Claims that security is compromised if bootloaders can be unlocked are just companies using a convenient excuse to maintain control over a device you paid for.
Dreaming_Novaling@lemmy.zip
on 04 Jul 02:02
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The whole reason GrapheneOS develops only for Pixels is that you can relock the bootloader though, right? (Along with other security features)
Anyway yeah companies still suck for not letting you relock them.
I don’t believe that’s a pixel specific benefit but yes relocking the bootloader is best for security. The unlocking process is needed to install an alternative OS though.
Fiery@lemmy.dbzer0.com
on 04 Jul 21:41
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In order for that feature to work, you need to give google permission to see who’s calling you and when activated (and possibly even when not activated) listen to the phone conversation. That data is going back to google servers for processing. Gemini is also feeding off of that data. If you’re concerned with the original post regarding WhatsApp data being fed to Gemini, why would you be okay with allowing google to listen in on your phone conversations, all for the small convenience of avoiding spam bots?
If you have voicemail and caller ID, just don’t pickup the call if it isn’t from a known contact.
If you’re also thinking that google isn’t collecting data without your consent, they literally just got fined 300+ million for doing exactly that.
I got a privacy update for Gmail tools too. It used to be to enable smart tools you needed to allow google to read your email. That does stuff like automatically add calendar events for flights and such.
Now you must also allow the email to be read by their AI services too. I can’t recall precisely how it was worded, but it was an easy decision to keep the “smart” features off.
I mean, I really just use Gmail as the email address I give to sign up for sites and such, but would be good just not to have it one day.
Not that I support this, but hasn’t Google Assistant been able to do that for years? Sending texts via the voice assistant has been, like, one of the main selling points.
Kinda, but the thing this time is that they will change it f unilaterally rom their side, even if you specifically disabled this connectivity on your phone. So they want that data reallyyyyy badly. So even more important to not give it to them.
Professorozone@lemmy.world
on 04 Jul 19:54
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I can’t find Gemini on my phone.
SonOfAntenora@lemmy.world
on 05 Jul 08:28
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SlartyBartFast@sh.itjust.works
on 04 Jul 20:08
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Kinda seems fucking stupid
anytimesoon@feddit.uk
on 04 Jul 20:32
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My gf got one of those emails, but she doesnt have the Gemini app installed on her phone. All of the instruction articles I can find only explain how to turn it off if you have the app.
Does not having the app mean that she’s safe from this, or does it mean that she needs to download the app to disable the “feature”?
I don’t have the app, and searching for “gemini” only gives “gemini settings” which when clicked opens the promt of “do you accept changing Google assistant to gemini”, clicking “not now” just sends me back to setting search.
Signal is also a great alternative to WhatsApp. Molly for the extra privacy focused.
WrenFeathers@lemmy.world
on 04 Jul 22:18
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I remember getting flamed so hard for saying that Google/android was incredibly invasive tech. I was laughed at, called an apple fanboy and accused of schilling.
As every user at some points mentions: They are a public company and once they can’t satisfy their shareholders, they will turn on the data faucet to 3rd parties. They already have the an advertisement CDN.
They already have everything in place to achieve that situation.
Appoxo@lemmy.dbzer0.com
on 05 Jul 08:37
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No proof.
But even the US is scared of encrypted exfiltrated data because their adversaries could crack the encryption later on.
Same here.
They have the data and for now decided to not yet do do anything too bad with it.
But Google also had the motto “Don’t be evil” at one point.
When the time comes that I’m willing to go to random dudes on YouTube for my news, I’ll buy whatever bridge you’re selling.
That day isn’t today.
Appoxo@lemmy.dbzer0.com
on 05 Jul 09:26
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Same for you. Proof that Apple isn’t using it to analyze your (usage) data.
And it’s not okay just because it’s the 1st party analyzing it because they arent selling it.
I am really tired of the hypocrisy of some lemmy users advocating for maximum privacy to the detriment of everyone around them but on the other hand just saying “yeah, that’s totally fine” and basically breaking all their principles.
The article we are commenting on, along with the countless others that call out Google/android for snooping in your data and selling it off is my proof.
I really tired of lemmy users that think because one thing is bad- ALL things similar are bad.
Is almost like nuance is just something kids don’t seem to understand anymore.
Apple absolutely does collect huge amounts of data from the users. The difference is they don’t directly ‘sell’ that data to advertisers. Instead they get paid to personalize the ads themselves and wear that as a badge for ‘advocating privacy’.
Stock Android is horrendous compared to what Apple does, yes. However you usually have the option to ditch it for a more privacy respecting Android.
FrameXX@discuss.tchncs.de
on 06 Jul 06:03
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I can’t. Everything they release is proprietary and locked down, so let’s just trust their narrative.
I can only recommend well researched eyeopener from Techaltar:
youtu.be/JHnBOUNxHsw
So, they’re doing shit you can prove, but they’re doing it. Do I have that right?
FrameXX@discuss.tchncs.de
on 06 Jul 10:31
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I will be honest that I don’t know what exact shit are we discussing here I rather wanted to point that Apple might not be as much privacy first company as they like to present themselves.
Open settings, and search for"Gemini" from the search bar. That’s the only way I was able to get to anything Gemini related. I turned off it’s access to everything from there, then the last setting was to switch back to assistant which appears to have turned Gemini off, but who knows (hence disabling it’s access to everything anyway).
With search there’s only a single “Gemini Settings” that is found. That opens a wizard for me. On the second page, after scrolling all the way down, I can select “No thanks”. That’s what I was referring to. I was wondering if that’s enough.
These instructions are awful. There’s no Gemini listed in my apps, and Settings > Apps doesn’t show it either. But if I search for “Gemini” in settings, THEN it shows up, but doesn’t have access to anything the article says to do.
However, from that screen, I was able to apparently turn off its access to everything, and switch back to assistant, which appears to have turned it off completely, but who knows if it’s still lurking in the background.
Professorozone@lemmy.world
on 08 Jul 19:18
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I’m pretty sure I disabled/removed it when I got this phone. I don’t specifically remember doing it but when I get a new phone, I watch some YouTube videos on how to purge all the crap I don’t want.
I read an article that mentioned using command line stuff to eliminate it and it kind looked familiar. I think I did this. I really should write stuff down.
threaded - newest
They’d have to install it first.
Google play services says bonjour
Yes, but the phones of all your peers will have that shit on it.
Oh hell nah
Good thing I don't have that shit on my phone (at least until Google forces it)
The people you’re messaging might, though.
If the Gemini app is not installed, it can’t do this right
Exactly. It is an odd advice - disable something you had to install first just to disable?
It installed itself as part of an update package.
I was fully expecting that, but since enshittification recently intensified (Android 15’s bluetooth settings are a giant step back in usability), neither google play nor system in general nor anything from motorola has internet access on my phone, I send everything through RethinkVPN (from f-droid) and block all internet access except for apps that I explicitly allow. I’m just not updating anything except periodically Signal, IronFox and PipePipe.
Update of what? Android or something else?
Yes. It was bundled as part of either a system or security update.
🤣🤣🤣 This is brilliant, I dedicate that to “updates good” crowd.
It must be an Android update as that’s all I ever do, and I never installed Gemini. I just checked and it was there, with permissions to access WhatsApp and multiple other apps. I just removed all the permissions and disabled the app. We’ll see if any future updates turn it back on.
Shhhhhneeeeeky bastards.
Good that I don’t do any updates apart from some apps.
Pro tip: you can probably uninstall Gemini via ADB. Android won’t let you uninstall it using your phone’s UI, but since it’s just another package you can probably use the old ADB tricks to wipe it from your phone. Use your favorite search engine to figure out how, it’s not exactly a secret.
Or if you prefer GUI on device apps, Shizuku and then use Cantata
In the case of my fully updated pixel 9 pro XL, Gemini was installed from the factory. I uninstalled it and installed Google Assistant. It has not re-installed itself for me, and further, I would recommend that if you don’t use Gemini, you uninstall it.
This may change once the July patch hits but. As of right now it’s not currently installed.
In my case (Galaxy S21) I can only disable it, not uninstall.
In my case it doesnt appear in the App drawer but when I opened assistant it offered me switching to Gemini, which I did. Then within it, went to Apps to disable integrations like WhatsApp which by default was ON. Same with SMS and others.
This is my assumption too. It's disabled for me. I have no plans to change that.
I don’t even have a Gemini app installed in the first place.
Gemini was automatically installed for me, and the app connections were all enabled, like the article describes. Better check and be safe than to be sorry
Same, but somehow there was a warning and a possibility to switch back to Google assistant instead, which I did
It keeps changing back to Gemini on its own for me even if I don’t use the assistant at all.
I’m rather confused. I don’t have any app called Gemini installed, but despite this “Hey Google” brings up Gemini. So I have no app to disable, and no way to turn off interaction with other apps. This is on a Samsung A55 in Europe, happily taking advice on how to proceed.
My four year old low-end test device running Android had its assistant switched out from Google Assistant to Gemini. I was very surprised since I'd assumed that the vendor had stopped supporting it since it was so cheap, but it updated anyway.
Google Play is separate from Android. Google likely updates it through that route, rather than relying on manufacturers.
My OnePlus 2 (latest official android was 6, it’s running lineageos android 11 though) also got its assistant swapped with Gemini so idk
I found settings for it in my phone’s settings menu, so yeah, no standalone app you can disable or remove. They baked it into the OS.
laughs in LineageOS
What I hate most about this is the lack of control over this it implies. Sure, maybe you don’t install this on your device, but all that’s needed for Google to access your messages now is for someone you message to have it installed and enabled, then anything you send to them will be gobbled up by Google.
Don’t go and manually install it.
The misinformation about this has been wild.
.
Hopefully unintalling and disabling is actually doing something. I feel like they are just tricking us and you can’t really disable it.
If I have the app disabled it probably can’t do anything right?
Which app ?
The Gemini app. I can’t uninstall it from my phone but I have it disabled. Not sure if Google’s other account access and apps on my phone are going to still feed into Gemini.
I think when google app and play services still present on your device, it feeds data into gemini anyway. Hope you are not using google vanilla apps.
By the way why you arent able to uninstall gemini app ? 🤔 Did you tried lineage os with microg which is way better ?!
I have stock android on a pixel and was able to just uninstall it. So it’s not all devices at least
If your phone is unaltered in any way, absolutely nothing you do on it is private, even turned off.
Sweating over one app when your entire phone is the posterboy for spyware? lol
edit: “nice downvotes!” ~ Google
Why are you being downvoted for this? In stock devices the user has no way to even start looking at what is being run. All you can do is trust the manufacturer.
Because it’s worth plugging up some privacy holes even if you can’t get all of them. Google already knows my name, address, and phone number, but that’s no reason to let 5th Edition Character Sheet learn it too. They already have gigabytes of personally identifiable data on me, doesn’t mean I’m cool with them bumping that up to terabytes
Is this a US only thing? I have no email and no Gemini app (although there are settings in system)
I hope so considering I talk to others who will have Android phones with Google on it.
Me on my de-googled phone: <img alt="" src="https://en.meming.world/images/en/thumb/a/aa/Cat_Standing_in_the_Snow.jpg/600px-Cat_Standing_in_the_Snow.jpg">
Yeah, and it’s presumptious of them to access the WhatsApp account I don’t have…
And to want to access my calendars to book appointments for flights I can’t afford
For those on Pixel devices, check out GrapheneOS. If not CalyxOS or LineageOS
Its important that we have devices that we control. If your phone doesn’t allow bootloader unlock so you can install a different operating system, that’s a problem. Claims that security is compromised if bootloaders can be unlocked are just companies using a convenient excuse to maintain control over a device you paid for.
The whole reason GrapheneOS develops only for Pixels is that you can relock the bootloader though, right? (Along with other security features)
Anyway yeah companies still suck for not letting you relock them.
I don’t believe that’s a pixel specific benefit but yes relocking the bootloader is best for security. The unlocking process is needed to install an alternative OS though.
It’s actually a whole list of requirements. grapheneos.org/faq#future-devices
Verizon branded pixels are unable to unlock the bootloader, I.e, mine. No amount of phone support will change this.
Pixel has a built in feature that screens my calls and sends spammers to a bot. Graphene has no equivalent to this.
In order for that feature to work, you need to give google permission to see who’s calling you and when activated (and possibly even when not activated) listen to the phone conversation. That data is going back to google servers for processing. Gemini is also feeding off of that data. If you’re concerned with the original post regarding WhatsApp data being fed to Gemini, why would you be okay with allowing google to listen in on your phone conversations, all for the small convenience of avoiding spam bots?
If you have voicemail and caller ID, just don’t pickup the call if it isn’t from a known contact.
If you’re also thinking that google isn’t collecting data without your consent, they literally just got fined 300+ million for doing exactly that.
The reason they don’t want you to unlock your bootloader is because of security…
…security of their revenue stream, that is.
Cool, the app that doesn’t exist on my phone will access an account I don’t have. I’ve never used WhatsApp and I don’t plan to start now.
I got a privacy update for Gmail tools too. It used to be to enable smart tools you needed to allow google to read your email. That does stuff like automatically add calendar events for flights and such.
Now you must also allow the email to be read by their AI services too. I can’t recall precisely how it was worded, but it was an easy decision to keep the “smart” features off.
I mean, I really just use Gmail as the email address I give to sign up for sites and such, but would be good just not to have it one day.
Not that I support this, but hasn’t Google Assistant been able to do that for years? Sending texts via the voice assistant has been, like, one of the main selling points.
Kinda, but the thing this time is that they will change it f unilaterally rom their side, even if you specifically disabled this connectivity on your phone. So they want that data reallyyyyy badly. So even more important to not give it to them.
I can’t find Gemini on my phone.
It’s absolutely there,it relaced assistant…
.
Kinda seems fucking stupid
My gf got one of those emails, but she doesnt have the Gemini app installed on her phone. All of the instruction articles I can find only explain how to turn it off if you have the app.
Does not having the app mean that she’s safe from this, or does it mean that she needs to download the app to disable the “feature”?
I also don’t have a Gemini app but if you search for Gemini in the Settings main menu, it shows up.
Thank you. We had actually already checked this but had not found Gemini in the settings.
Turns out typing “gem” in the settings search is not enough. Only typing “Gemini” returned a result.
Sneaky, aren’t they?
I don’t have the app, and searching for “gemini” only gives “gemini settings” which when clicked opens the promt of “do you accept changing Google assistant to gemini”, clicking “not now” just sends me back to setting search.
Signal is also a great alternative to WhatsApp. Molly for the extra privacy focused.
I remember getting flamed so hard for saying that Google/android was incredibly invasive tech. I was laughed at, called an apple fanboy and accused of schilling.
Sadly, it looks like I’m the one laughing now.
Lol and Apple doesnt do any of that?
Show me evidence they do.
They haven’t done anything with that data yet*
While clearly the lesser evil in this moment, I wouldn’t count on that lasting forever.
As every user at some points mentions: They are a public company and once they can’t satisfy their shareholders, they will turn on the data faucet to 3rd parties. They already have the an advertisement CDN.
They already have everything in place to achieve that situation.
No proof.
But even the US is scared of encrypted exfiltrated data because their adversaries could crack the encryption later on.
Same here.
They have the data and for now decided to not yet do do anything too bad with it.
But Google also had the motto “Don’t be evil” at one point.
So…. No proof.
Look up a YT channel called Tech-Bore
That ain’t proof.
Yes it is, because he shows you
When the time comes that I’m willing to go to random dudes on YouTube for my news, I’ll buy whatever bridge you’re selling.
That day isn’t today.
Same for you. Proof that Apple isn’t using it to analyze your (usage) data.
And it’s not okay just because it’s the 1st party analyzing it because they arent selling it.
I am really tired of the hypocrisy of some lemmy users advocating for maximum privacy to the detriment of everyone around them but on the other hand just saying “yeah, that’s totally fine” and basically breaking all their principles.
The article we are commenting on, along with the countless others that call out Google/android for snooping in your data and selling it off is my proof.
I really tired of lemmy users that think because one thing is bad- ALL things similar are bad.
Is almost like nuance is just something kids don’t seem to understand anymore.
Apple absolutely does collect huge amounts of data from the users. The difference is they don’t directly ‘sell’ that data to advertisers. Instead they get paid to personalize the ads themselves and wear that as a badge for ‘advocating privacy’. Stock Android is horrendous compared to what Apple does, yes. However you usually have the option to ditch it for a more privacy respecting Android.
I can’t. Everything they release is proprietary and locked down, so let’s just trust their narrative.
I can only recommend well researched eyeopener from Techaltar: youtu.be/JHnBOUNxHsw
So, they’re doing shit you can prove, but they’re doing it. Do I have that right?
I will be honest that I don’t know what exact shit are we discussing here I rather wanted to point that Apple might not be as much privacy first company as they like to present themselves.
If they’re not, I’m sure it should be easy for you to provide evidence to support your claim. That’s all I’m asking.
That is the shit we are talking about.
I haven’t turned it on. Am I safe?
Nop. Disable it in the settings/apps
I cannot find it as an app in the app listing.
I find it only through search in settings, and it opens a screen - asking to activate it.
It seems weird.
.
Privacy-conscious Indians are gonna have a nightmare. Indians excessively use whatsapp.
Everyone outside of the US uses whatsapp.
Viber is more popular in eastern europe
Sure , in 2010.
Still is. At least in my country its probably more popular than the rest of them combined.
In Norway we use Facebook Messenger, which is worse. Wattsapp’s at least usable as a messaging platform for more than 1-to-1 communication
I have Android 16 on a Pixel 8 but no Gemini. Is it not installed if I chose “No thanks” when I got the info screens about it?
Open settings, and search for"Gemini" from the search bar. That’s the only way I was able to get to anything Gemini related. I turned off it’s access to everything from there, then the last setting was to switch back to assistant which appears to have turned Gemini off, but who knows (hence disabling it’s access to everything anyway).
With search there’s only a single “Gemini Settings” that is found. That opens a wizard for me. On the second page, after scrolling all the way down, I can select “No thanks”. That’s what I was referring to. I was wondering if that’s enough.
These instructions are awful. There’s no Gemini listed in my apps, and Settings > Apps doesn’t show it either. But if I search for “Gemini” in settings, THEN it shows up, but doesn’t have access to anything the article says to do.
However, from that screen, I was able to apparently turn off its access to everything, and switch back to assistant, which appears to have turned it off completely, but who knows if it’s still lurking in the background.
I’m pretty sure I disabled/removed it when I got this phone. I don’t specifically remember doing it but when I get a new phone, I watch some YouTube videos on how to purge all the crap I don’t want.
I read an article that mentioned using command line stuff to eliminate it and it kind looked familiar. I think I did this. I really should write stuff down.