this post was submitted on 20 Jul 2023
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Yes. I was an early adopter away back when their motto was "don't be evil", when Android devices were premium hardware at extremely low prices, when Google apps were free or super cheap.
They have changed over time. They weren't always greedy scumbags.
I've had a bunch of their pixel phones and one ended up breaking. So I did a warranty exchange and they kept sending me bad phones with even more problems than the one before it. Like their refurb department doesn't even bother fixing a bad device before sending it to their next victim. And they have zero customer service, so I was pretty much screwed. No more pixels for me.
Google, like many tech companies, often promotes the idea that its services are designed with customer interest in mind. Features such as personalized search results, targeted advertising, and location-based services are promoted as benefits to the user. Google Meet, Google Classroom, and Google Docs are some tools that are particularly relevant in remote working and learning environments. Additionally, they have made efforts towards user security with two-factor authentication, safe browsing technology, and by alerting users to suspected phishing attempts.
However, Google has also been criticized for its data collection and privacy practices. Critics point out that these personalized and location-based services also mean collecting vast amounts of personal data on users, which may compromise their privacy.
So, it could be seen as a mixed bag - while Google provides expedient and useful services, concerns about data privacy and how this information is used persist. As an individual user, it's important to stay informed about these issues in order to make choices that best serve your own interests and comfort level with privacy.
As a user of Google's services, it's natural to be curious about why you should be concerned about data privacy. Here are some reasons:
Data Profiling: Google collects data from its network of services to develop a detailed profile of you. This includes your search queries and interests, websites visited, video history, location data, emails, and more. This profile helps them to predict and influence your behavior, which can be a concern if you value your privacy.
Targeted Advertising: A significant part of Google's income is derived from advertising. By collecting your data, they can display hyper-targeted ads that are more likely to lead you to purchase a product or service. While this might seem beneficial, it can feel intrusive and manipulative.
Sharing/selling to Third parties: While Google states in its privacy policy that they do not sell your personal info, they do share your data with third-parties for reasons such as improving their services, developing new ones, and for advertising purposes.
Potential Data Breaches: While Google has robust security measures in place to protect user data, breaches can and do occur in the digital world. In such cases, your sensitive data could potentially be exposed to malicious parties.
Ethical Concerns: Some people have concerns about the sheer volume of data collected by Big Tech companies like Google, how it's stored, whether it's anonymized securely, etc. The concentration of so much data in the hands of a few entities raises questions about monopoly and power dynamics.
As in all things, it's essential to weigh the convenience and benefits Google provides with these potential downsides. Using privacy-oriented alternatives or adjusting your privacy settings can help you maintain a greater level of control over your personal data.
https://nypost.com/2022/08/22/google-bans-dad-for-sending-pics-of-toddlers-swollen-genitals-to-doctor/
get caught in an automated process and have your life ruined, for starters. I'd say that's a pretty real world consequence of letting Alphabet scan all of your photos.
Yes, there have been numerous real-world consequences associated with Google having access to people's data. Here are a few examples:
Targeted Advertising: Google collects data about what you search for, what websites you visit, and other details about your online behavior in order to serve you personalized ads. Many people find this kind of targeted advertising invasive and uncomfortable.
Data Breaches: In the event of a data breach, the vast amount of personal data Google collects could potentially fall into the wrong hands. This could lead to identity theft, financial fraud, and other serious personal harm.
Loss of Privacy: Perhaps the most immediate consequence is a fundamental loss of privacy. Because Google collects so much data, it can build an extremely detailed profile of your behavior and interests. This can feel intrusive and worryingly close to surveillance.
Economic Disparities and Discrimination: Google can manipulate the online visibility of individuals and businesses, influencing who succeeds and who doesn't. Poor data protection practices can lead to consumers receiving different pricing options based on their online behavior.
Manipulation of Political Views: User's search data can be used to feed them tailor-made content that reinforces their existing views, potentially leading to the spread of misinformation, polarization, and manipulation of political perspectives.
Dependency: Over-reliance on Google's services can limit users' awareness and usage of alternative platforms or services, leading to over-dependency, monopolies, and less innovation.
Please remember that it also depends on how Google and other companies use and protect the collected data. It's recommended to use privacy-enhanced tools, be aware of your digital rights and to carefully read the privacy policies of the services you use.
Google went public in 2004. They've always been greedy scumbags. It's just more apparent now since they are constantly looking for new ways to extract money from their customers.