Related
I finally posted on Motorola's Forums asking about the suspect APK's with as much info as possible.
See HERE
If they for some reason take it down I will duplicate it here below:
Ok,
We Motorola owners have been silent and I think its time that we was not. Just last year I signed up for the Electrify Beta test for Motorola's 2.3.5 update for the phone. I received an email from Motorola that within 24 hours I would be getting the updated pushed to my device. At the time I got the email (around 9:30 am) I was using a custom ROM (Cyanogen Mod 7) and I proceeded to back up my phone and flash the phone back to Stock 2.3.4. Once I did that, I never got the update pushed to my device. So in turn I posted that question why I never received it on the Forums.
Mark answered it by saying this:
“Wow you've reset your phone 21 times... Whatever for? The reason you can't get the update is because you've factory reset the phone after the update was sent out. I'll reply in the other thread concerning the wifi issue. It's off topic here.
Mark
Support Forums Manager”
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To which I answered that it was really non of his or Motorola’s business how many times I reset my device as for one – its MINE. I also asked what else Motorola was tracking from my device and why we users are not made aware of it. Of course I never got an answer to that post.
To be honest it was a Godsend that I never got the update, because as we all know Motorola relocked the Bootloader and has every intention of never making it unlocked again. However that’s a different issue and not the one at hand here.
Now I get that that I missed the update to 2.3.5 because I was on a custom ROM that is totally not supported by Motorola, and quite frankly this isn’t the issue here.
The issue is that my activity was tracked. When I got the phone and activated it I was not aware of any EULA that would state that Motorola would be tracking its users and activities. There was no such message in the Box, Manual, or on the phone on first boot. If it IS in the manual then it is so far embedded in some clause that it’s criminal that it is in there. However I am pretty sure its not.
So I would put that down to my activity was tracked WITHOUT my consent. Which to me, is a pretty big deal.
So this brings me to the meat of this post. A few users have stated there are some suspect apps (Motorola Stock) that are running in the background and require some insane Access Rights.. I will now list them along with the permissions they require (You can see these for yourself on your own phone. Applications > All > and find them on the list.). Some of these are quite the eye opener…
AdService.apk
Network Communication (Full Internet Access)
Phone Calls (ReadPhoneStateand identity)
DataCollection.apk
Your personal Information (Read Contact Data, Read Sensitive Log Data, Read user Defined Dictionary, Write Contact Data)
Services that Cost you Money (Directly Call Phone Numbers, Send SMS Messages)
Your Location (coarse (network-based) location, fine (GPS) location, mock location sources for testing)
Your messages (edit SMS or MMS, Read SMS or MMS, Receive SMS)
Network Communication (control Near Field Communication, Create Bluetooth Connections, Full Internet Access)
Your Accounts (manage the accounts list, use the authentication credentials of an account)
Storage (Modify/delete SD card Contents)
Phone Calls (intercept outgoing calls, read phone state and identity)
hardware Controls (change your audio settings)
System Tools (Bluetooth Administration, change network connectivity, change WiFi State, Change WiMAX State, Change your UI Settings, Modify Global System Settings, Mount and unmount file systems, prevent phone from sleeping, reorder running applications, retrieve running applications, write Access Point Name settings, write Sync Settings)
(Hidden)
Default (Modify battery Statistics, Read Certificates)
Your personal Information (write to user defined dictionary)
network Communication (view network state, view Wi-Fi state, view WiMAX state)
Your Accounts (discover known accounts, read Google service configuration, View configured accounts)
hardware Controls (control vibrator)
System Tools (Automatically start at boot, expand/collapse status bar, kill background processes, measure application storage space, read Home settings and shortcuts, read sync settings, read sync statistics, set wallpaper, write Home settings and shortcuts)
DataCollectorProvider.apk
Your Personal Information (read contact data)
DataCollectorService.apk
Your Personal Information (read contact data)
KpiLogger.apk
Your personal Information (Read Contact Data, Read Sensitive Log Data, Read user Defined Dictionary, Write Contact Data)
Services that Cost you Money (Directly Call Phone Numbers, Send SMS Messages)
Your Location (coarse (network-based) location, fine (GPS) location, mock location sources for testing)
Your messages (edit SMS or MMS, Read SMS or MMS, Receive SMS)
Network Communication (control Near Field Communication, Create Bluetooth Connections, Full Internet Access)
Your Accounts (manage the accounts list, use the authentication credentials of an account)
Storage (Modify/delete SD card Contents)
Phone Calls (intercept outgoing calls, read phone state and identity)
hardware Controls (change your audio settings)
System Tools (Bluetooth Administration, change network connectivity, change WiFi State, Change WiMAX State, Change your UI Settings, Modify Global System Settings, Mount and unmount file systems, prevent phone from sleeping, reorder running applications, retrieve running applications, write Access Point Name settings, write Sync Settings)
(Hidden)
Default (Modify battery Statistics, Read Certificates)
Your personal Information (write to user defined dictionary)
network Communication (view network state, view Wi-Fi state, view WiMAX state)
Your Accounts (discover known accounts, read Google service configuration, View configured accounts)
hardware Controls (control vibrator)
System Tools (Automatically start at boot, expand/collapse status bar, kill background processes, measure application storage space, read Home settings and shortcuts, read sync settings, read sync statistics, set wallpaper, write Home settings and shortcuts)
MasterClearErrorReporter.apk
Your personal Information (Read Contact Data, Read Sensitive Log Data, Read user Defined Dictionary, Write Contact Data)
Services that Cost you Money (Directly Call Phone Numbers, Send SMS Messages)
Your Location (coarse (network-based) location, fine (GPS) location, mock location sources for testing)
Your messages (edit SMS or MMS, Read SMS or MMS, Receive SMS)
Network Communication (control Near Field Communication, Create Bluetooth Connections, Full Internet Access)
Your Accounts (manage the accounts list, use the authentication credentials of an account)
Storage (Modify/delete SD card Contents)
Phone Calls (intercept outgoing calls, read phone state and identity)
hardware Controls (change your audio settings)
System Tools (Bluetooth Administration, change network connectivity, change WiFi State, Change WiMAX State, Change your UI Settings, Modify Global System Settings, Mount and unmount file systems, prevent phone from sleeping, reorder running applications, retrieve running applications, write Access Point Name settings, write Sync Settings)
(Hidden)
Default (Modify battery Statistics, Read Certificates)
Your personal Information (write to user defined dictionary)
network Communication (view network state, view Wi-Fi state, view WiMAX state)
Your Accounts (discover known accounts, read Google service configuration, View configured accounts)
hardware Controls (control vibrator)
System Tools (Automatically start at boot, expand/collapse status bar, kill background processes, measure application storage space, read Home settings and shortcuts, read sync settings, read sync statistics, set wallpaper, write Home settings and shortcuts)
So, to paraphrase Mark….
Wow these Apps need some insane permissions…. WHATEVER FOR??
And aren’t they named well?
I suggest that someone provides FULL DISCLOSURE on what all these apps do. They are NOT required to run the device (if you are rooted you can freeze the processes with no ill effects and can infact remove them) and they most certainly are NOT part of Android’s original OS.. So whatever ARE they for and what ARE they collecting???
So Motorola, the ball is in your court so to speak, I and a great many others would be really curious on telling us what they are for…
Your move..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just a thought on this issue also. maybe a reason you could provide to this **** from Motorola is the fact that these phones have problems out of the box. Random reboots for example. That in itself would be reason enough for me to reset my phone in homes it will go away. Another thing you could point out is that some app developers are using Airpush ads that some people might think are a form of trojan and might also to a reset to try to eliminate them. Bottom line though is you are totally correct and that it's none of their damn business what we do with these phones. Sprint can ***** at us and threaten to void warranties or whatever but Moto has nothing to do with it. I'm curious to know what they respond with. I'm going to post in that forum too
It's funny. Those were the first apps that I had frozen. I have NO problem with my phone since I froze those. It's been about 2 months now and no problems.
My post on that forum rules LOL
Even if they do respond I'll be willing to bet you don't get a straight answer that exposes the truth.
On a side note, are the apps you have listed everything that does the questionable snooping or are there more parts to the puzzle?
I'm a MoPho-er
FernBch said:
Even if they do respond I'll be willing to bet you don't get a straight answer that exposes the truth.
On a side note, are the apps you have listed everything that does the questionable snooping or are there more parts to the puzzle?
I'm a MoPho-er
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If I knew how to debug and show what those apps did, I would have more "clout" I guess..
I'm sure there's more in there, but those are obvious (and poorly named) with what they do.
I'm not expecting an answer either, but just sitting idly by saying nothing doesn't achieve anything either. It was worth a shot, and if more people post a response in the original thread, then well... its gonna make it harder for them to ignore it as well.
He posted a reply... Usual PR Snuff and tried to make it look like I was the bad one for breaking an NDA on software that was publicly released two months ago..
I think not, so I replied in kind.... Funny how it took a posting of APK's permissions and concerns about privacy (which was brought up before) for him to garner any response on it...
Lets see if this can carry on...
mistaken, your privacy is important and must be protected, in Europe there are strict legislative on this point, and I hope that clarifies why if the European community discovers that unbeknownst to many users, are read everything that trigger sanctions. I also do not want others to know of my sites visited, etc..
sorry for my English
ZeroManArmy said:
It's funny. Those were the first apps that I had frozen. I have NO problem with my phone since I froze those. It's been about 2 months now and no problems.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
One of the four has something to do with corp. mail now get an error message. Option to FC every thing working though.
Sent from my MB855 using xda premium
Cythrawl,
Honestly, if I would have known that the Electrify would have been like this, I would have stuck with the Hero S. sometimes...I regret switching from the Hero S to the Electrify.
IBMguy said:
Cythrawl,
Honestly, if I would have known that the Electrify would have been like this, I would have stuck with the Hero S. sometimes...I regret switching from the Hero S to the Electrify.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If I had have known too, I would have stuck with the Mesmerize until we get the SGII
Love it when people have no idea!
"We Motorola owners have been silent and I think its time that we was not."
"If I knew how to debug and show what those apps did, I would have more "clout" I guess.. "
I would not worry about Moto, the govenment is watching you right now through your tv.
halfdriven said:
Love it when people have no idea!
"We Motorola owners have been silent and I think its time that we was not."
"If I knew how to debug and show what those apps did, I would have more "clout" I guess.. "
I would not worry about Moto, the govenment is watching you right now through your tv.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Seeing I don't have TV (or a TV connected to Cable / Sat / OTA) I doubt that...
Thankyou for your really useful post...
Could anyone out there tell me if the S Note that you got with the ICS update - NOT downloaded from S Choice, or from the file that I saw floating around the forum, just the ones that came with ICS automatically - matches the following permissions?
- Your personal information
add or modify calendar events and send email to guests without owner's knowledge, read Browser's history and bookmarks, read calendar events plus confidential information, read contact data, read user defined dictionary, write Browser’s history and bookmarks, write contact data
- Services that cost you money
directly call phone numbers, send SMS messages
- Your location
coarse (network-based) location, fine (GPS) location
- Your messages
edit SMS or MMS, read SMS or MMS, receive SMS or MMS
- Network communication
control NFC, create Bluetooth connections, full internet access
- Your accounts
acts an account authenticator, manage the accounts list, use the authentication credentials of an account
- Storage
modify/delete USE storage contents
- Hardware controls
change your audio settings, record audio, take pictures and videos
- System Tools
allow Wi-Fi Multicast reception, bluetooth administration, change network connectivity, change WIF state, change WIMAX state, change your UI settings, delete all application cache data, disable keylock, format external storage, modify global system settings, mount and unmount filesystems, prevent phone from sleeping, retrieve running applications, write sync settings.
Why I want to know, if you're interested:
I didn't get S Note with my ICS update (SGH-i717R - Canadian, Rogers), and after a song and dance with support, was told by one agent/one email support to download it from the S Choice app store ... and by one call agent that I should stay away from it because it's not from Samsung and possibly malware.. Since S Note was supposed to come with the update, and only My Story needed additional downloading, I was a little wary.
My misgivings started with the bad grammar in the description, the different developer from the My Story app, and finally, the giant pile of permissions it wants. I've tried a slew of things to get S Note/Premium Suite to initialize, and am now at either reflashing the update, which I'd like to avoid since the phone works fine and I don't know what the hell I'm doing, or mailing it in “to the lab,” which I'd like to avoid because apparently not all of Samsung knows what it's doing either, judging by some of the answers I got. So I'd like to just do a comparison to see if the original S Note that comes with ICS also has these permissions. If it does, then I'm just going with the S Choice one and stop trying other things.
Thank you for any help!
Anyone? I know it's a bit of an oddball question, but..? (Unless nobody got it with ICS, which wouldn't surprise me, either.)
Matches what i have... I dont think its anything bad. Samsung proabably wants snote to have full functionality. Insert contacts and be able to call them from the app, geo tag your location etc... Look at the permissions of facebook... They are not that different.
Sent from my Samsung-I717
IMM76D.UCLF6+FJMOD-BUILD2
Stampaufaz said:
Matches what i have... I dont think its anything bad. Samsung proabably wants snote to have full functionality. Insert contacts and be able to call them from the app, geo tag your location etc... Look at the permissions of facebook... They are not that different.
Sent from my Samsung-I717
IMM76D.UCLF6+FJMOD-BUILD2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Fantastic - thanks! I was mostly put off by the description of the app "this application is S note can make own note." doesn't exactly scream "I am legit software put out by Samsung, download me!" But if it's pretty much what the original has, then I'm fine.
Again, thanks!
Few qns:
1. I know we cannot delete the first Microsoft Account associated with the device, but can we at least delete the email part of it? It automatically created a hotmail email account/tile and started syncing it. I don't want email on my phone, its my primary email and I usually have no security on phone. I know I can disable email sync and it will remove the tile but anyone can re-enable it
2. Is there a way to select only specific people to appear on the People Tile? It allows disabling certain accounts but not certain people (either blacklist or whitelist), I don't want random people checking out my phone and wondering if they've been selected to specially appear on my home page! Can it only display certain "Favourites"?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Resolved, Thanks
3. The status bar shows no indication of whether it is connected to 2G or 3G network (Data is disabled so can't use the E/H icons), is this normal?
4. The Settings>Mobile network Highest Speed settings does not show a 4G option, I only have 2G and 3G
5. Marketplace does not show all the available on the home page (of the Marketplace or on the live tile), if I goto a specific app, THEN it shows the update and also reflects this on the home page and live tile.
For your qn #5, I've experienced the same.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2046856
I was rigorously researching this and someone elsewhere seemed to suggest that this is deliberate and the Microsoft provides an option for the developers to do this. i.e There is a time lag between when they become available and when the actual notifications are pushed out.
This did not seem intuitive. The only reasons I can think of this happening are:
1) Pushing update notifications out to all instantly would cause mass damage in case of severe bugs, this way they know only a few hardcore users will check the app individually and install it and they have time for a pseudo-beta test.
2) The update notifications get pushed from the server and this server is only polled/or pushes them at certain times a day or week.
ah06 said:
2. Is there a way to select only specific people to appear on the People Tile? It allows disabling certain accounts but not certain people (either blacklist or whitelist), I don't want random people checking out my phone and wondering if they've been selected to specially appear on my home page! Can it only display certain "Favourites"?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
New feature in Windows Phone 8: Groups!
http://winsupersite.com/windows-phone/windows-phone-8-tip-share-only-certain-people
Make a group with the people you want to see/interact with most often. Pin THAT to the Start menu. Only those people show up...
When you tap the tile you are taken to the group, but you can still swipe over to all people easily, so it still gives you access to the full people hub.
---------- Post added at 09:50 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:48 AM ----------
ah06 said:
1. I know we cannot delete the first Microsoft Account associated with the device, but can we at least delete the email part of it? It automatically created a hotmail email account/tile and started syncing it. I don't want email on my phone, its my primary email and I usually have no security on phone. I know I can disable email sync and it will remove the tile but anyone can re-enable it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Settings, email + accounts, Microsoft account, content to sync, uncheck Email.
Settings, email + accounts, Microsoft account, content to sync, uncheck Email.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I knew about that but it allows anyone to re-enable it at any time without re-entering the password, that's hardly ideal. But I am currently using that as a workaround anyway. Thanks for the help
Also thanks for the Groups suggestion, will use that workaround.
ah06 said:
Few qns:
I know we cannot delete the first Microsoft Account associated with the device, but can we at least delete the email part of it? It automatically created a hotmail email account/tile and started syncing it. I don't want email on my phone, its my primary email and I usually have no security on phone. I know I can disable email sync and it will remove the tile but anyone can re-enable it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know this doesn't answer your question, but can I ask why you would not have any security on the phone? You can always have pin number set-up.
However, I can see a case where you have to hand over your phone to may be family and you don't want them to go through your email.
A non-ideal solution is to set-up a separate MS account for the phone. Of course, this means that you'll leave all your other stuff (Xbox gamertag, calendar etc) behind and have to start over again.
Was going to download and try this app from the Google store but have issues with privacy concerns:
This app has access to these permissions:
Your accounts
read Google service configuration
find accounts on the device
use accounts on the device
Your location
approximate location (network-based)
precise location (GPS and network-based)
Your messages
read your text messages (SMS or MMS)
receive text messages (SMS)
access mail information
Network communication
full network access
view network connections
view Wi-Fi connections
Your personal information
read calendar events plus confidential information
Phone calls
directly call phone numbers
read phone status and identity
Storage
modify or delete the contents of your USB storage
Your applications information
retrieve running apps
Your social information
read your contacts
read call log
System tools
read Home settings and shortcuts
write Home settings and shortcuts
test access to protected storage
Affects battery
control vibration
Status bar
expand/collapse status bar
Wallpaper
set wallpaper
adjust your wallpaper size
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why does this app need to access so much of my personal information?
Yearoftherat said:
Was going to download and try this app from the Google store but have issues with privacy concerns:
Why does this app need to access so much of my personal information?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi,
As you know, Themer helps increase the user experience by providing valuable information straight onto your homescreen.
This includes:
1. Displaying how many unread emails/SMS/missed calls you have. (Your messages
read your text messages (SMS or MMS)
receive text messages (SMS)
access mail information))
2. Displaying your map coordinates on a map image. (Your location
approximate location (network-based)
precise location (GPS and network-based))
3. A built-in dialer app that can display your recent contact as well as allow you to call a number directly from your homescreen. (Phone calls
directly call phone numbers
read phone status and identity) (Your social information
read your contacts
read call log)
4. Display agenda information. (Your personal information
read calendar events plus confidential information)
As you can see, it's all for display purposes. If you look at other widgets on the Play Store that perform the same activities, they will also require these permissions. It just so happens that Themer has all of these features built into one app. Hope this helps clarify the matter.
Thanks for the clarification. Looking forward to trying out the app!
I have the same concerns, beginning with the need to login before using any themes. (The explanation given in the faq seems too lame for me). Looks like a terrific app but possibly not for those who worry about privacy. I'm personally too scared to try it.
One option to explore is using this app with xprivacy installed which allows one to restrict unneeded permissions. Maybe a firewall might help?
Anderson2 said:
I have the same concerns, beginning with the need to login before using any themes. (The explanation given in the faq seems too lame for me). Looks like a terrific app but possibly not for those who worry about privacy. I'm personally too scared to try it.
One option to explore is using this app with xprivacy installed which allows one to restrict unneeded permissions. Maybe a firewall might help?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi Anderson2,
That FAQ actually sums it up quite well. The login feature creates a security barrier for us, which even though is not the most advanced way of preventing intrusions into our theming servers, it does a good job in finding people who are trying to tamper with our systems. That and of course sending users email updates of new features if they request it.
When exactly do you need login? Just to download themes? After the download can one log out? I don't like the idea that you have access to my emails, texts, and any files your widgets access. That is what concerns me.
I don't know enough about themer because I'm afraid to use it, but I believe your zooper widget doesn't require login. (Does it?) Can you explain how they differ in the need for protection?
I have to say that I share those concerns. Why do you force users to login with their Google or Facebook accounts? I do not understand why this should be a better securitry barrier than the login data from mycolorscreen.com? I would not even give away my login data to someone I know, so why should I give away this data to someone I do not know at all???
Well said.
+1
shibadoo said:
I have to say that I share those concerns. Why do you force users to login with their Google or Facebook accounts? I do not understand why this should be a better securitry barrier than the login data from mycolorscreen.com? I would not even give away my login data to someone I know, so why should I give away this data to someone I do not know at all???
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yet you log in to this forum and use it.
The explanations have been given. It's to ensure you are who you say you are when you access their servers to download the themes.
As for all the other access, Themer provides a lot of different information as explained (you DID read what he posted, correct?) GPS position, weather, etc. All of this is based on location, etc, as well as if you want unread email counts, etc. It's all there in Themer given you everything all rolled into one app, rather than having to download each piece separately. If you don't like it, don't use it. Thousands upon thousands of users are using it without any issues. I definitely like to protect my privacy, but this app is the least of your worries about privacy.
There are many other problems that could result if they didn't want you to verify who you say you are. Do you want someone to hack their servers and then you download a hacked theme that could result in even more privacy issues for you?
In the end, if you don't want to use it, don't. Nobody is forcing you to use it and they have every right to protect their investments as well. There are plenty of other apps out there you can use that can provide the same type of experience. Usually, the themes are not housed in a server so you can download them from elsewhere, but unless you're getting them from Google Play, then who is to say how safe those are? Many 3rd-party app stores are NOT the safest as they do not follow Google's security policy. At least with Themer, it's in the Google Play market and has had to go through Google's scrutiny.
A few weeks ago, the app was erroneously flagged as something that could steal your information. Google came back later and stated it was an error on their part and verified that the app is safe and it will not steal your information.
I've used it for months and nothing bad has happened to me.
There are many other ways for hackers to get your PI and this is the least of your worries.
vulcanvillalta said:
As an American, and therefore afraid of everything, I personally vote to not give out so much information. But on the other hand, IF someone wanted to get all of your information, they could probably do it without your consent. I would probably stay away from it, though. Just to "try" to be safe.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Once Facebook introduces its anonymous login feature, our developers will implement the feature into Themer
iBolski said:
Yet you log in to this forum and use it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, I do use this forum, but of course I do not log in with my Google account. There would be no reason to do so - same goes for Themer. I would have no problem if Themer would ask for my login data from mycolorscreen.
iBolski said:
The explanations have been given. It's to ensure you are who you say you are when you access their servers to download the themes.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You think you know who I am because I enter some data that nobody ever controls? I could simply enter some Google account data I created only for Themer. But honestly, this is too much effort for me only the check if I like an app.
iBolski said:
As for all the other access, Themer provides a lot of different information as explained (you DID read what he posted, correct?) GPS position, weather, etc. All of this is based on location, etc, as well as if you want unread email counts, etc. It's all there in Themer given you everything all rolled into one app, rather than having to download each piece separately. If you don't like it, don't use it. Thousands upon thousands of users are using it without any issues. I definitely like to protect my privacy, but this app is the least of your worries about privacy.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What exactly has GPS and weather to do with my Google Account data? I do not share GPS data with Google, so I would not with Themer as well. And for a weather forecast I would simply type in 5 numbers - my zip code. This is exactly what I do right now.
iBolski said:
There are many other problems that could result if they didn't want you to verify who you say you are. Do you want someone to hack their servers and then you download a hacked theme that could result in even more privacy issues for you?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And because the people at Themer have may account data, nobody can hack their servers? So the solution to all hacked servers worldwide is so simple? Just giving them Google account data?
iBolski said:
In the end, if you don't want to use it, don't. Nobody is forcing you to use it and they have every right to protect their investments as well. There are plenty of other apps out there you can use that can provide the same type of experience. Usually, the themes are not housed in a server so you can download them from elsewhere, but unless you're getting them from Google Play, then who is to say how safe those are? Many 3rd-party app stores are NOT the safest as they do not follow Google's security policy. At least with Themer, it's in the Google Play market and has had to go through Google's scrutiny.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, I do not use it. This is the consequence.
iBolski said:
There are many other ways for hackers to get your PI and this is the least of your worries.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So what should be my worries if it is not giving away voluntarily my Google account data to someone I do not know???
And you forgot something: I know at least 5 people that use their Android phones without a Google account, and they also do not use Facebook. Believe it or not: these people do really exist, and they even survive without a Google and a Facebook account.
So for me there is no credible information why the people at themer need my Google account data, and why this should protect them from being hacked. Or why my Google Account data should be safer than my mycolorscreen account data. This is why I will not use themer and would not recommend it to others.
shibadoo said:
Yes, I do use this forum, but of course I do not log in with my Google account. There would be no reason to do so - same goes for Themer. I would have no problem if Themer would ask for my login data from mycolorscreen.
You think you know who I am because I enter some data that nobody ever controls? I could simply enter some Google account data I created only for Themer. But honestly, this is too much effort for me only the check if I like an app.
What exactly has GPS and weather to do with my Google Account data? I do not share GPS data with Google, so I would not with Themer as well. And for a weather forecast I would simply type in 5 numbers - my zip code. This is exactly what I do right now.
And because the people at Themer have may account data, nobody can hack their servers? So the solution to all hacked servers worldwide is so simple? Just giving them Google account data?
Yes, I do not use it. This is the consequence.
So what should be my worries if it is not giving away voluntarily my Google account data to someone I do not know???
And you forgot something: I know at least 5 people that use their Android phones without a Google account, and they also do not use Facebook. Believe it or not: these people do really exist, and they even survive without a Google and a Facebook account.
So for me there is no credible information why the people at themer need my Google account data, and why this should protect them from being hacked. Or why my Google Account data should be safer than my mycolorscreen account data. This is why I will not use themer and would not recommend it to others.
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You describe me exactly. I don't use my Google account to login anywhere, don't use Facebook, have phone GPS and location turned off, only enter zip code for weather, turn off sync everywhere, use a firewall, xprivacy, etc. - - and Google only thinks it has my info.
Everyone I know who is not a teenager or addicted to Facebook does the same.
vulcanvillalta said:
If you use fake names etc and are vague about your location, no, google doesnt have your name. But what about your IP address. They can tell that your pseudonym is performing functions from the specific location you are in. You might not GIVE them your name or address, but with the IP address linking you to a specific internet connection, they certainly can figure out who you are and where you are, if they want to.
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Which is why I don't want to help other sites identify me by giving them my Google login. Not everyone has Google capabilities.
The points made in defense of keeping your personal information private (and not using your Google login for Themer) are valid and understood.
However, Themer is not designed for that type of mindset.
Themer is designed for the overall market - the vast majority if you will - not for privacy advocates.
It's simply a tool that allows the general Android user base (the FB'ers, Google +'ers, i.e. Socialites) to easily login to an app designed to make their phones look cool. Most of the functionality of the Themes are far more invasive than your Google login anyway (GPS coordinates, access to text/email notifications, call logs, etc) so I really don't see the point of wildly waving your arms around saying "privacy breach! privacy breach!"
Don't use it. Cool. I'm OK with that. I'm sure they are too. But why complain about it? What is the goal? Surely you cannot think they will redesign the app for you.
So really, you're just posting on XDA to aggravate the devs. I mean, what launcher doesn't have access to all of your info? It's like complaining that a specific model of car has a license plate that can be used to identify you. Guess what? All cars do. Take the bus bro
Anderson2 said:
Which is why I don't want to help other sites identify me by giving them my Google login. Not everyone has Google capabilities.
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But your phone can still identify you. You are still logged into the internet via your carrier's internet and they can definitely get who you are on the phone.
You might as well just stay off the internet completely then.
And, if you're going to stay off the internet, then why have a smart phone? You're already identified out there through your carrier. If they breach your carrier account, they have all sorts of information right then and there, more so than Google would have. Think about it. Your billing address, etc.
Don't think for a minute that your carrier is completely safe. Even Verizon has had breaches.
vulcanvillalta said:
Like I said above, IF PEOPLE WANT YOUR INFORMATION, THEY CAN GET IT. There are nasty identity thieves out there that can find all of your information SOOOO easily. So easily. So whether or not you use an app or make a phonecall or whatever, you can still be traced and you can still be monitored and your information can still be acquired. I'm not trying to be a downer, but you can either accept that you are at the mercy of whoever wants to stalk you, or you can spend the rest of your life worrying and trying to protect yourself from something you literally have no control of.
IMHO, if you can use the app and it would benefit you, you might as well enjoy it.
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Not sure why you quoted me bro, I'm on the same page you are.
IT need to display some information about your phone
Hey guys,
When enabling the hidden sync option in experimental settings, it reveals quite a few new sync items and in wondering what they are and what some of them turn themselves back on when I disable them.
Game Data - this shows up twice.
Credentials State
Google Nearby (I'm assuming this is for maps)
Location Reporting and Location History (I have location completely disabled and location reporting disabled in Google settings... This keeps turning itself back on)
Push Subscriptions
People Details
Any light you can shed on this would be appreciated.
you're not alone wondering
The day I have been looking for an answer myself on this topic you started this thread.
The fine folks over here seem to have been ignoring your post, but so you know you are not alone wondering.
I have been disabling the hidden services for days now and tried to find a pattern or activity that turns them back on to no avail.
Even search engine results seem to be filtered of any useful answer, but this may be just another conspiracy theory...
If you found out more on this, post it here please.
And thanks.
lleo_ said:
The day I have been looking for an answer myself on this topic you started this thread.
The fine folks over here seem to have been ignoring your post, but so you know you are not alone wondering.
I have been disabling the hidden services for days now and tried to find a pattern or activity that turns them back on to no avail.
Even search engine results seem to be filtered of any useful answer, but this may be just another conspiracy theory...
If you found out more on this, post it here please.
And thanks.
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Click to collapse
All of them are self explanatory.
Game data: for games (whether you have them or not) so that your scores are uptodate.
Credentials state: for certificates in your device.
Google nearby: for maps and NFC
Location reporting and history: to keep your location details uptodate
Push subscriptions: to keep your push subscriptions uptodate (like mail Whatsapp etc)
People details: to keep your contacts list uptodate
I don't know why these are not obvious.
Regarding some of them automatically getting re-enabled, I don't have any such issues. If you continue to have these issues, you may have to use something like Myandroidtools or Disable Service etc to keep them under control.
tnsmani said:
All of them are self explanatory.
Game data: for games (whether you have them or not) so that your scores are uptodate.
Credentials state: for certificates in your device.
Google nearby: for maps and NFC
Location reporting and history: to keep your location details uptodate
Push subscriptions: to keep your push subscriptions uptodate (like mail Whatsapp etc)
People details: to keep your contacts list uptodate
I don't know why these are not obvious.
Regarding some of them automatically getting re-enabled, I don't have any such issues. If you continue to have these issues, you may have to use something like Myandroidtools or Disable Service etc to keep them under control.
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Click to collapse
Really thanks for your reply.
The visible items are self-explanatory indeed. As the OP reported, what is troubling why is there a hidden "location reporting and location history" sync option and why does it get re-enabled after being turned off. I also do not use any location service and turned off everything I could on my CM11 on Nexus 5
Can you tell which service do you suggest to be disabled to keep the "location reporting and location history" sync disabled?
lleo_ said:
Really thanks for your reply.
The visible items are self-explanatory indeed. As the OP reported, what is troubling why is there a hidden "location reporting and location history" sync option and why does it get re-enabled after being turned off. I also do not use any location service and turned off everything I could on my CM11 on Nexus 5
Can you tell which service do you suggest to be disabled to keep the "location reporting and location history" sync disabled?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am not familiar with CM11 so I can't tell you any options in that. Also in my Nexus 4 and 7 with stock KK 4.4.4, I don't have a hidden sync for location.
If you use Myandroidtools or Disable Service, then disable anything connected with location. There are quite a few.
If you run Tasker you can make sure your sync settings stay put; location reporting isn't re-enabled, by using the Synker plugin for Tasker and having it set things how you want them at Display On, Display Off, and Screen Unlocked events.
Additionally, Shazam has a hidden sync that re-enabled itself when you run the app. I just use a Task shortcut: Launch Shazam
Wait Short period
Plugins-> Synker, and set it with the autisyncs you want.
Beware that Google services pushed to the phone can change the number of sync options, as can installing Shazam or Skype for examples, and the calls to plugin need to be adjusted. Its less hassle than it sounds.
Hi im facing an issue with google sync, im not able to get the game data sync option in google sync. i have updated google play services,play store..and also play games. kindly help me if know any solution.
I am currently running on cm11 rc3...it was working before..now its not...
il hit the thanks button guys..
srinikethan1392 said:
Hi im facing an issue with google sync, im not able to get the game data sync option in google sync. i have updated google play services,play store..and also play games. kindly help me if know any solution.
I am currently running on cm11 rc3...it was working before..now its not...
il hit the thanks button guys..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you have disabled any sync option with DisableService or MyAndroidTools etc re-enable them.
CM's constant revision sometimes changes things unexpectedly. So try with a previous version of CM.
tnsmani said:
If you have disabled any sync option with DisableService or MyAndroidTools etc re-enable them.
CM's constant revision sometimes changes things unexpectedly. So try with a previous version of CM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi,thanks for the reply...i finally solved it....
srinikethan1392 said:
Hi,thanks for the reply...i finally solved it....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How?
tnsmani said:
How?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey after flashing and updating the gapps..check in settings..in sync....if it stills hasnt appeared. use greenify and hibernate the google play services. then just restart your phone(Not necessary, sometimes it just works)then checck...the sync for game data and other hidden sync items just appear...
Press thanks if helped
They are spying on you. These HIDDEN accounts are there and the sheep who use stock android can't see them because they are HIDDEN in stock Android. They keep adding themselves back, they check themselves even if you unckeck them, they sync things you tell them not to sync, and it's NOT because you update something as I have not updated Cyanogenmod from 4.4 and it happens every time I start my tablet. Google will keep spying and can care less if its illegal to keep syncing things you don't want to sync because Google owns the US government. Google saved HHS when ACH Website failed, they have imbedded themselves so far into the government they are like a cancer that can't be removed. The US Gov "lent" Google GeoSat, one of our SPY satellites to make Google Earth, something that cost tax payers a lot of money. Google may provide Google Earth for free but they STEAL your personal information when you use the service, which means Google got free use of a US Government, taxpayer owned, SPY satellite so they could make more money for their private (not government run) company. Google gets free & subsidized aircraft fuel from NASA for their fleet of Attack Jets (IE fighter planes) also subsidized by WE THE PEOPLE. I am not some conspiracy theorist; I have worked for both sides of the isle on this one and can tell you Google is a problem.
Let's be honest, XDA has turned into a bunch of fanboys; it's not the site we had years ago. I have been fighting this crap for years (Look at my post history) and if you have not figured out yet, most of us who cared about privacy left XDA years ago. This is why no one is responding here; no one left cares. You are very correct, Google Play Services is MALWARE in disguise. I am not a crApple lover at all, and still use Android (for now), but am sick of Google's crap. I ported out my Google Voice number today and now have very little left to do with the company.
Google services is a framework that GApps and most stuff downloaded from the Play Store rely on to function. It used to be you can disable it and still have apps work, but a lot of them now wont even load if its removed or disabled. Google says its a way for app devs to take shortcuts, but it's there for one reason: Make App Devs LAZY so they they use Google's SPYWARE. App Devs (even most paid ones) don't give a crap about your privacy; most are adding ad code so they can steal your personal information. Google loves this as it opens up your device to have everything stolen, by not only Google but 3rd parties. Why do you think Google removed the ability to block app permissions then claimed it was a dev only feature? Google could care less about your privacy.
I sent the three main Google guys (@Google email not @gmail... Yes I know the Google Guys Real Emails) a project proposal from the company I own two years ago; they [legal, but Shady] stole the idea and nine months later made the announcement that in a few months they would be starting on Android Auto. My SMS messages going through Google Voice started to have issues shortly after with anything concerning to business coming in slow or didn't arrive at all, my Google+ posts were blocked for unknown reasons just saying they "didn't fit the community guidelines", and my Camera/Mic was constantly pushing popups saying they "couldn't start as they were already active" when I tried to use them on my Android Devices. I don't know why it's so hard for these sheep to believe a $500 Bil company, one of the most powerful in the world, wouldn't be spying on competitors or even stealing ideas from the community. I wouldn't be shocked if these creepy elite weirdo's havn't come up with their own version of "unReality TV" where they just spy on regular people like watching a television show. They are creepy vampires, all of them. I have had dating emails sent to gmail from the dating site I use not arrive despite the company I use tracking down the emails and saying they made it to gmail servers and thus should have gone through, client emails be delayed until after project deadlines, phone calls not make it, SMS/MMS delayed and/or lost, etc. I have people telling me they emailed or called me without reply, etc. My PC is virus free and My Android Tablet is as well. I now use a dumb phone and forward everything to that number, which no shock the dumb phone works when people call, but anything that goes through Google servers is still hit or miss. No one I know has these problems, but no one I know has called Eric Schmidt some foul names, so I guess people will say "it's my fault". Whatever; you just didn't get robbed several billion on a project by a garbage greedy scumbag company.
Screw Google.
I have attached a little of what I am talking about because the net is filled with BS. The I had to block out a lot of the proposal email as they only stole part of the idea so far and this was my SECOND email. The first one has some how gone missing from my sent box, but had a DOC attachment with a formal business proposal. That went through, but as you can see from the screen shots, Eric Schmidt has now blocked me with a policy rule on his email. Again, they received the original proposal back in January of 2014, before this screen shot of the second correspondence, after which they started blocking my Google+ Posts and when I send this second correspondence email I found out I was blocked by Eric. Nice! Steal my ideas, try and cover up email (missed one! OOPS!) then block me! Google "Does No Evil!" Oh wait, Google is nothing more than an advertising agency pretending to be a tech company... I guess thats where we get the lies "Do no evil". Everyone knows advertising lies.
Amen!
Unfortunately any resistance is futile. I'm in the same boat.
tnsmani said:
All of them are self explanatory.
Game data: for games (whether you have them or not) so that your scores are uptodate.
Credentials state: for certificates in your device.
Google nearby: for maps and NFC
Location reporting and history: to keep your location details uptodate
Push subscriptions: to keep your push subscriptions uptodate (like mail Whatsapp etc)
People details: to keep your contacts list uptodate
I don't know why these are not obvious.
Regarding some of them automatically getting re-enabled, I don't have any such issues. If you continue to have these issues, you may have to use something like Myandroidtools or Disable Service etc to keep them under control.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This helped already a lot !!!
Can someone please additionally explain those. As I translated them ... please write the correct name too ....
- *reminders (which ? cant be calender reminders)
- *offline sync of login data
- *state of login data
Where do u see the hidden sync items ? I am unable to find them.
dhananjay123 said:
Where do u see the hidden sync items ? I am unable to find them.
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Click to collapse
If you have enabled the option in Greenify, go to DEVICE>SETTINGS>ACCOUNTS>Google
can we disable/remove/delete them?
patrickdrd said:
can we disable/remove/delete them?
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Click to collapse
Can disable (although some reenable themselves)
how? my androidtools?
patrickdrd said:
how? my androidtools?
Click to expand...
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After enabling option in Greenify head to accounts in settings.