Google's CEO Thinks Android Users Know How Much Their Phones Are Tracking Them (techcrunch.com)

An anonymous reader quotes a report from TechCrunch: Google CEO Sundar Pichai thinks Android users have a good understanding of the volume of data Google collects on them, when they agree to use the Android mobile operating system. The exec, who is testifying today in front of the House Judiciary committee for a hearing entitled "Transparency & Accountability: Examining Google and its Data Collection, Use and Filtering Practices," claimed that users are in control of the information Google has on them. "For Google services, you have a choice of what information is collected, and we make it transparent," Pichai said in response to questioning from Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-VA).

Google's defense on the data collection front is similar to Facebook's -- that is, Pichai responded that Google provides tools that put users in control. But do they actually use them? "It's really important for us that average users are able to understand it," said Pichai, stating that users do understand the user agreement for Android OS. "We actually ... remind users to do a privacy checkup, and we make it very obvious every month. In fact, in the last 28 days, 160 million users went to their My Account settings, where they can clearly see what information we have -- we actually show it back to them. We give clear toggles, by category, where they can decide whether that information is collected, stored, or -- more importantly -- if they decide to stop using it, we work hard to make it possible for users to take their data with them," he said. When asked if Google could improve its user dashboard and tools to better teach people how to protect their privacy, including turning off data collection and location tracking, Pichai said "there's complexity," but it is "something I do think we can do better." He continued: "We want to simplify it, and make it easier for average users to navigate these settings. It's something we are working on."

Comments

Liar

[jittles]

Not only do I think this is disingenuous but he's also failing to point out that Google arbitrarily requires you to give them the whole kit and caboodle of personal data if you want to use certain features. Want to use the Play store? You have to enable location services that Google tracks. Want to use Google maps and actually store maps so you don't download them every time (whether you are on android or not)? You have to sign in and give over all your tracking data. And are there actual legitimate requirements for this? No - Google intentionally moved location services inside of the Play framework, it used to be completely separate and standalone. Do you need to be signed in to download maps to the local device? Of course not. But Google knows people want to use these features on their devices and the force you to give up everything to use them.

Re:Liar

[vlueboy]

I would settle for the Maps functionality from Android 2.2, but at some point they started replaced AOSP offerings with proprietary Google offers to integrate and almost demand signing in to enable random features.

It's a good time to make a reminder that there are alternative apps out there. They are inferior, mind you. Maps.me I haven't used, but OsmAnd for F-Droid doesn't require the same level of payments that IIRC the Android version does. It has downloadable state-by-state maps, various configurable options, path logging and not half the onerous requirements that Google Maps enforces (the latter boldly lies about needing location services to run properly). It's clunky, though.

It's bullshit

[Actually, I do RTFA]

Any time I try to toggle off data collection in that "My Account" area, the settings miraculously revert as soon as I leave.

Meanwhile, I've never had that problem on iOS. Heck, I'm not sure what other services I've had that issue with (I'm sure FB would be included, except for my lack of interactions with them.) I've heard rumors about Win10, but again...