Google to make "Big Announcement" tomorrow

[Spoooon]

This information is being used by the developer to sell ads or Google to sell ads?

By the developer (though I'm sure Google appreciates it). Some ad supported software only require internet access.

 

[tatteredpotato]

This information is being used by the developer to sell ads or Google to sell ads?

By default these apps have no permissions unless you request them in your applications manifest, so the developer wants this information... it's then up to them what they do with it.

Makes you wonder is Google Voice is doing speech-to-text on your phone conversations and mining them for marketing data. Good luck with Android, I value my privacy.

I haven't used iOS in a few months so forgive me if I'm wrong, but can't any iOS app access any of your information without asking you? GPS is the only thing I remember it asking for. That sounds much scarier than google reading my asinine text messages.

 

[dwell]

Of course they are, that that's half the point of getting all the services for free in the first place.

Anyway, if iFans are sensitive about their privacy, I don't hear many complaints about Apple mining people's iTunes purchase histories for targeted iAds...

Wait. Google Voice mines your phone calls? Your fucking phone calls?!?

Purchase history is nothing, Amazon does that as does every commerce web site. But mining my personal calls? There's no argument for that. That is bullshit. Fuck Google. Don't try to convince me otherwise. That's some bullshit. No wonder Jobs 86'd Google Voice.


Edit by Moderator PM
Dwell, this is a warning against trolling. The thread is an announcement of a new feature - not about privacy on Google Voice, there are enough threads about privacy concerns. Beyond this, please keep the expletives to a minimum per forum rules #6 regarding foul language.

 

[Deeko]

Makes you wonder is Google Voice is doing speech-to-text on your phone conversations and mining them for marketing data. Good luck with Android, I value my privacy.

They probably are. Google mines everything for data. Its how they make money. I hope you don't use any of their products if you value your privacy so much.

 

[gsaldivar]

I haven't used iOS in a few months so forgive me if I'm wrong, but can't any iOS app access any of your information without asking you? GPS is the only thing I remember it asking for. That sounds much scarier than google reading my asinine text messages.

But but but.... Apple is only using it to do *good*...!!!

 

[gsaldivar]

That is bullshit. Fuck Google. Don't try to convince me otherwise. That's some bullshit.

Oh please... admit the only problem you have with it is that it has a Google logo instead of an Apple logo on it.

Stop being such a brand-whore and at least give innovation credit where it's due...

 

[tatteredpotato]

Wait. Google Voice mines your phone calls? Your fucking phone calls?!?

Purchase history is nothing, Amazon does that as does every commerce web site. But mining my personal calls? There's no argument for that. That is bullshit. Fuck Google. Don't try to convince me otherwise. That's some bullshit. No wonder Jobs 86'd Google Voice.

Uses

• Google maintains and processes your Google Voice account and its contents to provide the Google Voice service to you and to improve our services.
• Google's computers process the information in your messages for various purposes, including formatting and displaying the information to you, playing you your messages, backing up your messages, and other purposes relating to offering you Google Voice.
• Google may send you information related to your Google Voice account or other Google services.
• Voicemail Transcription - if you use Google Voice's voicemail transcription service, Google may transcribe voicemail messages into text and email and/or SMS the resulting text to the email account or phone number(s) designated in your user settings. Google's computers process the information in your messages for various purposes, including formatting and displaying the information to you, delivering related links, backing up your messages, and other purposes relating to offering you Google Voice.

link

Nothing too scary in there... you make it sound like they have people listening in on the other end.

 

[dwell]

They probably are. Google mines everything for data. Its how they make money. I hope you don't use any of their products if you value your privacy so much.

I really don't care if Google sees my search history or gmail, but phone conversations are pretty Big Brother. I'll never use Google Voice.

 

[tatteredpotato]

I really don't care if Google sees my search history or gmail, but phone conversations are pretty Big Brother. I'll never use Google Voice.

Just what don't you want them to have? Logs of phone call? Transcripts? Recorded audio bits?

That's all there because it's features (or required by law). It's part of being in the Teleco business, and it doesn't mean any random dev at Google can just go and look at your shit.

 

[rudeguy]

Wait. Google Voice mines your phone calls? Your fucking phone calls?!?

Purchase history is nothing, Amazon does that as does every commerce web site. But mining my personal calls? There's no argument for that. That is bullshit. Fuck Google. Don't try to convince me otherwise. That's some bullshit. No wonder Jobs 86'd Google Voice.

what's the worst they're going to do....send you an email???

 

[Spoooon]

Doesn't seem like a big deal.

Also from Google Voice's Privacy Policy

Information sharing and onward transfer

We do not sell, rent or otherwise share your personal information with any third parties except in the limited circumstances described in the Google Privacy Policy, such as when we believe we are required to do so by law.

 

[Deeko]

I really don't care if Google sees my search history or gmail, but phone conversations are pretty Big Brother. I'll never use Google Voice.

Meh - I would consider phone conversations on par with email. They're both personal communication methods.

 

[dguy6789]

I really don't care if Google sees my search history or gmail, but phone conversations are pretty Big Brother. I'll never use Google Voice.

So much Google hate drama, it's like I'm watching a bad soap opera. If Apple did everything you're accusing Google of doing, you'd argue unceasingly that it's the best thing ever.

 

[gsaldivar]

Vlingo responds to Google Voice Actions -- by making Vlingo for Android free:

http://www.androidcentral.com/vlingo-responds-google-voice-actions-making-vlingo-android-free

yay! we 2.1 users don't need to wait for the OTA to play with some new features

 

[dwell]

So much Google hate drama, it's like I'm watching a bad soap opera. If Apple did everything you're accusing Google of doing, you'd argue unceasingly that it's the best thing ever.

And if Apple did anything remotely as privacy-infringing as what Google did the Android supporters would be up in arms.

 

[tatteredpotato]

And if Apple did anything remotely as privacy-infringing as what Google did the Android supporters would be up in arms.

Tell me what exactly Google did that's so "privacy-infringing". They don't monitor your phone calls as you seem to believe.

 

[gsaldivar]

And if Apple did anything remotely as privacy-infringing as what Google did the Android supporters would be up in arms.

Huh?

 

[cbn]

By default these apps have no permissions unless you request them in your applications manifest, so the developer wants this information... it's then up to them what they do with it.

Is the applications manifest made plainly visible in the Google Android App store? (I do not have a Google phone)

 

[pm]

I have posted a warning against trolling in dwell's original post.

Let's get back to the topic of the thread - which is the new Google search feature. And lets stay away from stuff which isn't relevant - like Apple vs. Google and privacy concerns with Google Voice.

 

[tatteredpotato]

Huh?

He left out a few of the shorter words, must be caught up in a Google-rage

 

[gsaldivar]

(repost)

 

[tatteredpotato]

Is the applications manifest made plainly visible in the Google Android App store? (I do not have a Google phone)

When you go to install an application it shows you a list of everything it needs permission to run.

Ex:

 

[gsaldivar]

When you go to install an application it shows you a list of everything it needs permission to run.

Ex:

2.2 includes a feature that allows the user to apply app updates in batch instead of app-by-app. The functionality above is extended by requiring the user to approve any new permissions, if they have changed from the previous version.

:thumbsup:

 

[Demo24]

BTW, for those on Firefox there is an extension built off the Chrome to Phone api that does the same thing. Might be a touch slower than Chrome, but still reasonably quick. Pretty useful really if your looking something up and need to move it to your phone, or if you want to quickly send yourself directions.

 

[Fritzo]

Voice search = awesome! It's like having the ship computer from Star Trek in your pocket.