Hi,
I just wanted to rant about the current state of application ads on Android.
Over the past month, I've noticed an increased occurrence of those malicious "battery upgrade" ads in my games and apps.
Back in September/October, I got a few and I complained to the domain holder (ENOM) and their server hoster. Both of them neglected to email me back, and the site still remains online.
They seemed to disappear for a while, but since around New Years, the ads have resurfaced. Almost every free game I've played over the past two weeks has had them. Angry Birds, Super Stickman Golf, Words With Friends, Air Control Lite, to name a few...
I've contacted at least three ad distribution networks over the past two weeks, JumpTap, TapJoy, and Mojiva. All three have ignored my emails.
I've tried talking to the app developers, and they seem to be responsive to my initial complaints, but acting on them seems to be another matter.
While I realize that because I'm rooted, I could just block the ads by hand, but I think the more responsible thing would be for these ad distribution networks to actually look into the things they are advertising on our devices.
If you're an app developer, I'd like to ask that if you have a choice of whose ads get displayed in your applications, take a hard though about the ads that are also being pushed to your application's users.
I'm just mad about the whole thing. If ICE/DoHS can take down any site they feel, why can't malware developers suffer the same fate?
Thanks
Hi bunder9999,
My name is Saad and I work for Tapjoy. I wanted to bring to your attention that Tapjoy had already turned off and removed the developer for "battery upgrade" about 10 days ago. Please let me know if you want to discuss anything about this. You can send me email at [email protected].
Regards
Saad
Thank you. Now that I poke through my inbox, I see that you did indeed mail me back. edit: But that doesn't change the fact that you allowed the ads to begin with.
Got two emails today (surprise, surprise.)...
Rovio: "We're trying!"
Mojiva: (In so many words... yes, they were kindof nasty about it.) "Prove it or f*** off." My response: "Pull out an android device and install the malware yourself."
While I'm here, I thought I would post some comments made by some of my fellow Android users...
"i think it is awesome that you do this type of thing and more people should... you are pretty much an internet don quixote"
"more people need to step and say this type of s*** is unacceptable, and its really only apathy that doesn't stop ad companies from really taking this s*** seriously"
"your efforts are sisyphean, though noble"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm just going to post this here, as proof that I'm not off my nut, as Mojiva's final stance seems to be.
http://www.virustotal.com/file-scan...8bbb35635f8c6c7a044ff2b28fcd01dfa4-1326204931
edit: rather than waste a post on something nobody seems to care about, i got another ad today, from another ad-network, inmobi.
email sent. i was a little more diplomatic in my email this time, but somehow i don't feel that they will be anymore receptive than Mojiva was.
i wish android market was a little more like Apple app store. Too many crappy apps made it into the market without any filtering.
silkshocker said:
i wish android market was a little more like Apple app store. Too many crappy apps made it into the market without any filtering.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I couldn't disagree with you more. Sure, the App Store has a much higher percentage of quality apps, but I believe the filtering is preventing a lot of aspiring developers from getting their apps out there. I'm just afraid that, were I to get an iphone, the app I desperately want is being blocked by apple for one reason or another. I'd rather sift through hundreds of crappy apps and find the one I want, than sift through 50 and not get a single one that does what I need it to do.
And there is some filtering in the market. It's just not overly strict. The beauty of android is that it is OPEN!
Just a thought...
+1
mfitz8530 said:
I couldn't disagree with you more. Sure, the App Store has a much higher percentage of quality apps, but I believe the filtering is preventing a lot of aspiring developers from getting their apps out there. I'm just afraid that, were I to get an iphone, the app I desperately want is being blocked by apple for one reason or another. I'd rather sift through hundreds of crappy apps and find the one I want, than sift through 50 and not get a single one that does what I need it to do.
And there is some filtering in the market. It's just not overly strict. The beauty of android is that it is OPEN!
Just a thought...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
what he said
you can easily block all the Ads, and ignore all the SPAMs
i'll suggest AVAST for Android, does a great job at that, as for Ads, there are tons of 3rd party apps to block Ads
.
Thread moved. Would advise you to read forum rules and post in correct section.
bunder9999 said:
Hi,
I just wanted to rant about the current state of application ads on Android.
Over the past month, I've noticed an increased occurrence of those malicious "battery upgrade" ads in my games and apps.
Back in September/October, I got a few and I complained to the domain holder (ENOM) and their server hoster. Both of them neglected to email me back, and the site still remains online.
They seemed to disappear for a while, but since around New Years, the ads have resurfaced. Almost every free game I've played over the past two weeks has had them. Angry Birds, Super Stickman Golf, Words With Friends, Air Control Lite, to name a few...
I've contacted at least three ad distribution networks over the past two weeks, JumpTap, TapJoy, and Mojiva. All three have ignored my emails.
I've tried talking to the app developers, and they seem to be responsive to my initial complaints, but acting on them seems to be another matter.
While I realize that because I'm rooted, I could just block the ads by hand, but I think the more responsible thing would be for these ad distribution networks to actually look into the things they are advertising on our devices.
If you're an app developer, I'd like to ask that if you have a choice of whose ads get displayed in your applications, take a hard though about the ads that are also being pushed to your application's users.
I'm just mad about the whole thing. If ICE/DoHS can take down any site they feel, why can't malware developers suffer the same fate?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I also got the same feedback once but i could easily resolve this problem with my ad distributor as they block those ads for me..
"Free App: Battery upgrade" - sleazy ads
Hi all,
I found this topic, and think that it's the good one
Since some days, I have a strange ads in my notification bar, which displays: "Free App: Battery upgrade"
I launched some tools like Lookout or AVG Antivirus, but they didn't find any malware.
Does a specific tool exist to find this kind of malware, or maybe a way to find which app raised this bad ads ?
(last installed apps is Bubble level, but many apps are updated often, so I don't have any idea of which one could cause that )
Well done ,learn more
If it can help people (and it should help ), I found the solution of my problem of sleazy ads:
I installed from market Airpush detector (some other apps exists), which simply detects which apps contains ads (type Airpush), and propose to uninstall them.
At the end, it's simple. I'm very happy that these kind of tool exist, but I'm very surprised that such [email protected]\`@^ ads could be displayed in the notification bar
Hello guys, this is a small article cum question thread. After reading please give me your views.
When we buy a phone and we start with our gmail id.
They forcefully sync all data, even the gallery (picasa).
I mean why is Google entering in our life so much..
They have every single detail. Contact , location, whereabouts, preferences, taste, when we get up/ sleep...
Every single data is with Google.
Now Google glass... Its too much interference...
I feel like being spy by a person name Google. Prove me wrong, I will be glad.
Before Android, I had Nokia phone. I never felt being spy every time.
I have spend lots of money on my Android phone but im feeling insecured every moment.
Why Google force all to sync the data/ why Google wants to enter in everyon's life?
Are we purchasing Android phones for being monitored 24x7?
Let me know your views too..
Thank you.
Disclaimer:
I am not an apple fan. I have shared experience and beyond this I don't have intension to degrade the goodwill of gaint Google.
Supporting links for this thread
http://m.firstpost.com/tech/how-to-stop-googlefbspyingyou-220138.html?page=1
http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=imbkac40t38&desktop_uri=/watch?v=imbkac40t38
Endless....
We've all heard about the "big brother". Before the TV reality shows there was only books and stories about it, there were wars for power and world dominance. May be my words are too strong, but think about it - there are strong arguments in DBZo07's post, don't you think?
Google may be one of the reasons for the next World War. I am sure that there will be one - all of the major civilizations before us have disappeared for various reasons, most of them connected with war and the will of dominance. We will wipe ourselfs too or will become "human androids".
I think that we should think about what will be the next kind of terrorism? I doubt it will be for petrol, gold, money... it will be about information, communication, privacy - and Google are getting even more and more into our life, as DBZo07 have observed. It was only 8 years ago when for most of us smartphones were a joke and look now - hybrids, phonepads, padphones, tablets, docking stations, virtual HDD's (cloud storage)... Now can you leave without Viber, skype, facebook, gmail? No, you can't and if you could you will be searching for better replacements.
When you put all of the things it really seems too much. What if someone uses the information we share virtually each day? What if someone wants more than just money to share or store our information or to communicate with each other? Now they want our money, but tomorrow?
May be someone will want more from us tomorrow... may be we will start to sync our dreams for more efficient sleep time.
Or probably my arguments are nonsense and no one will let these thing happen. I hope so and I believe so - you should believe too
Yes it is bad, but just do like everybody disliking this state, deactivate all you can that allow google to "follow" you.
At the end, androïd is not linux, androïd is "google is watching you OS", so make all you can to hide yourself.
Maybe one day, we'll have a "pure" linux system for smartphones.
@mutha88 : that's what , we are forced to believe Google like God. Turning off auto sync may ease our mind. But still who knows about which data is being snatched with our data plan on all times in the very owned OS of Google. I still can appreciate Microsoft Windows, which is carring on from years after years still there is sense of personal private life being secured.
No doubt Google is an award winning innovative company but why getting personal to the extent of choking privacy.
On other hand, consumers are least concern about privacy now a days. Very trusted Microsoft is trying hard to penetrate phones and data stealer Google is having large pie of market share. It is we who made Google survive and in return we have loss of privacy.
@BombinBasta : yeah, but for development of any OS needs finance. Linux is free open source, hardly people donate. And Microsoft has enough money to carry on their development. Apple already charges too high for thier devices. Whereas Google... makes money from phones, market, various products and who knows what they make from every details of their users.
Seriously, as i heard from childgood that evil ends when they cross thier limits... will there be end of Google anyways!!! I wonder.
May be I'm wrong but their are no proper justifications from Google for interference.
Sent from my GT-I9082 using Tapatalk HD
u cant be free of data collection by google...
even if u never sync ur data and use internet on ur android(even if it a vanila AOSP android ) there is code in that to give the data to google.
in todays age of information technology....information/data is everything...WHO HOLDS THE DATA...HOLDS THE POWER TO RULE THE WORLD...
DBZo07 said:
@mutha88 : that's what , we are forced to believe Google like God. Turning off auto sync may ease our mind. But still who knows about which data is being snatched with our data plan on all times in the very owned OS of Google. I still can appreciate Microsoft Windows, which is carring on from years after years still there is sense of personal private life being secured.
No doubt Google is an award winning innovative company but why getting personal to the extent of choking privacy.
On other hand, consumers are least concern about privacy now a days. Very trusted Microsoft is trying hard to penetrate phones and data stealer Google is having large pie of market share. It is we who made Google survive and in return we have loss of privacy.
@BombinBasta : yeah, but for development of any OS needs finance. Linux is free open source, hardly people donate. And Microsoft has enough money to carry on their development. Apple already charges too high for thier devices. Whereas Google... makes money from phones, market, various products and who knows what they make from every details of their users.
Seriously, as i heard from childgood that evil ends when they cross thier limits... will there be end of Google anyways!!! I wonder.
May be I'm wrong but their are no proper justifications from Google for interference.
Sent from my GT-I9082 using Tapatalk HD
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You act like Microsoft doesnt do the same thing. When ever you use any of their programs it is the same. Privacy is a moot point if you use the internet for anything. You would be amazed how many times your personal info is used. Use a Shopping card to get discounts? Tracked. Use a CC for anything? Tracked. Buy anything on line? Tracked. Use any social networks? Yup tracked again.
It is not just Google. If you trust MS so much then why not get a WP?
k2wl said:
u cant be free of data collection by google...
even if u never sync ur data and use internet on ur android(even if it a vanila AOSP android ) there is code in that to give the data to google.
in todays age of information technology....information/data is everything...WHO HOLDS THE DATA...HOLDS THE POWER TO RULE THE WORLD...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This information again shocking.. will there be a respect for privacy is a big question..
Is there any way that code being blocked ...
zelendel said:
You act like Microsoft doesnt do the same thing. When ever you use any of their programs it is the same. Privacy is a moot point if you use the internet for anything. You would be amazed how many times your personal info is used. Use a Shopping card to get discounts? Tracked. Use a CC for anything? Tracked. Buy anything on line? Tracked. Use any social networks? Yup tracked again.
It is not just Google. If you trust MS so much then why not get a WP?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My bad.. Microsoft still a good sided. I'm not promoting Microsoft but everybody have used Windows and this hunger for data wasn't found, maybe Microsoft is too smart to do silently but there is a chance that it may or may not be true. Google openly does all stealing I mean who is going to held them!! We the users are just watching being used all time.
When I took Android , i wasn't aware of Google's hunger for information..
In the end, everyone is happy without Google's justifications...
Sent from my GT-I9082 using Tapatalk HD
I would like to point out that you are under no compulsion to connect an android phone to a Google account. You only need to connect your account if you want to avail of their services such as Play Store, syncing contacts, etc. If you can do without them, then by all means you can disconnect your Google account.
Sent from my Nexus 10 using Tapatalk HD
sidthegreatest said:
I would like to point out that you are under no compulsion to connect an android phone to a Google account. You only need to connect your account if you want to avail of their services such as Play Store, syncing contacts, etc. If you can do without them, then by all means you can disconnect your Google account.
Sent from my Nexus 10 using Tapatalk HD
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I completely agree...
As for me I don't like Google's spying so I uninstalled all their apps, including network location and Google framework service, and I use alternative apps for gtalk or Google play. And recently I even made a new email at Yahoo's. I know Yahoo spies as well, but since android is Google at least I don't put all my eggs in the same basket.
If like me you are very privacy concerned there are ways to cut the abusive permissions most apps use.
You need to be rooted, and then use apps like appsettings (in conjunction with xposer app), permissions denied, rom toolbox, greenify, privacy blocker, and the best (but unfortunately not available for all roms) : pdroid and its variants like open pdroid and the like.
For example, recently I downloaded the Yahoo app. Before to start using it I put it through privacy blocker and then changed the imei value and other nosy informations with fake values (thank you privacy blocker and respect to xeudoxus its developer). Then I opened appsettings and blocked other unwanted permissions (thank you rovo and tungstwenty, respect). Finally I started to use it, and when I'm done checking my mails I greenify (thank you oasisfeng and respect) the app to avoid background usage.
Of course when one does such things one doesn't get notifications as soon as a new message arrives, but as for me I don't care since I don't need, and don't want, to be connected and hence spied, 24 hours a day.
It's relatively easy to get rid of the spying, but of course you will loose 2-3 features.
It's up to you...
I did the same with my browsers (opera mini and dolphin), privacy blocker+ appsettings+greenify, and with Mozilla I use an add-on called self destructing cookies.
Another thing is that not only Google spies on us, actually everyone does.
Just have a look at the permissions used by your system (default) applications, it's insane moreover that when one blocks those abusive permissions the apps still work. Don't think that it would be any better with a custom room, it's exactly the same story with cyanogen mode or aosp or pa etc.
What I do is that I remove most system apps (keeping like 10 for my tab, and 20 something on my phone, which means that I uninstall over 100 system apps, exactly 160 on my tab's recent jb upgrade) and replace them with third party apps that are easier to control and whose permissions are easier to block. And of course I block everything I can, system and user apps alike.
One of these days when I have time I'll write a more precise guide on these matters...
unclefab said:
I completely agree...
As for me I don't like Google's spying so I uninstalled all their apps, including network location and Google framework service, and I use alternative apps for gtalk or Google play. And recently I even made a new email at Yahoo's. I know Yahoo spies as well, but since android is Google at least I don't put all my eggs in the same basket.
If like me you are very privacy concerned there are ways to cut the abusive permissions most apps use.
...........
One of these days when I have time I'll write a more precise guide on these matters...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sir, this is what I wanted to know. Thank you very much for your valuable time and experience shared here. I know this is serious concern and people like us need a way to be have a sound sleep without virtual spies.
About permissions, Google chrome takes permission to use camera and mic without and command by user.. I mean why Google needs it...again another why...
Your reply was very helpful, thank you...
keep updated me here when you can...
Stay blessed..
DBZo07 said:
Sir, this is what I wanted to know. Thank you very much for your valuable time and experience shared here. I know this is serious concern and people like us need a way to be have a sound sleep without virtual spies.
About permissions, Google chrome takes permission to use camera and mic without and command by user.. I mean why Google needs it...again another why...
Your reply was very helpful, thank you...
keep updated me here when you can...
Stay blessed..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My pleasure, I'm happy if I could help you...
Google chrome is one of the worst browser when it comes to privacy. If you want to keep on using it try to block the unwanted permissions like camera and mike with appsettings. The problem is that sometimes apps crash after having their perms blocked, and in this case what I do is just uninstalling and looking for another one that does the same job, fortunately there is no shortage of apps on the web
If you can't manage to tame Google chrome just use Mozilla. It has some abusive perms as well but they can be disabled for sure (I use it). Not with appsettings though but with permissions denied (another privacy app, quite powerful but one has to use it with care).
Just get the apps I recommended in my first post (some are paid but they are well worth the money) and start playing with them, in no time you will regain your privacy.
And uninstall as many system apps as you can...
Good luck!
Oh, I nearly forgot! Read my post in the following link, it tells which apps are safe to remove for the galaxy grand:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=39395506
They anonymize all of the usage data as much as possible. If you don't like using Google services but still want to be able to download apps from the Play Store, go into Settings -> Accounts -> your Google account(s) -> uncheck all of the boxes for syncing various services.
Every company collects information on usage in order to better their products and find out how people are using them. They're not reading all of your emails (yes, their computers scan them to show you relevant text ads, but that's all) or coming to your house to film you while you're in the shower. You guys are overreacting. There is not one company who doesn't collect usage data. And if they don't, then they're doing it wrong, because they're developing their products and services blindly. Google is pretty clear about their data collection policies.
unclefab said:
My pleasure, I'm happy if I could help you...
Google chrome is one of the worst browser when it comes to privacy. If you want to keep on using it try to block the unwanted permissions like camera and mike with appsettings. The problem is that sometimes apps crash after having their perms blocked, and in this case what I do is just uninstalling and looking for another one that does the same job, fortunately there is no shortage of apps on the web
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You do realize that Chrome has the Microphone permission so that it can hear you when you use voice search, among other things, right? Your computer browser can also access your webcam and microphone...
I care about privacy as well, but you guys are wearing tinfoil hats. Google does not care about you. They just want to know how to further develop their products.
Product F(RED) said:
You do realize that Chrome has the Microphone permission so that it can hear you when you use voice search, among other things, right? Your computer browser can also access your webcam and microphone...
I care about privacy as well, but you guys are wearing tinfoil hats. Google does not care about you. They just want to know how to further develop their products.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Of course I know that this perm is for the voice search, an app that I don't use either.
And I know that in 2013 it's not such a big deal if those big companies collect data about us, apart from spamming us with advs.
But I don't know how it will be in 10 our 20 years, and when I see the way our "democracies" go I rather understand now how to make myself invisible, better to prevent than to cure.
Imagine if Hitler had had this technology...
Those days are gone? I don't think so, the Yankees had Bush for eight years, the French had Sarkozy for five years, they were not modern Hitler but they were going in the same direction, cutting rough in the people's freedom.
They didn't go as far as Hitler but who knows what will happen in the next decades. I'm 44 and since the 90 ies I've seen a worrying drift towards less and less freedom, and it won't get any better for sure, it will only get worse.
Anyway, it's not only about this, it's about those apps using my data plan without asking, depleting my phone's battery and slowing my ram. If Google wants infos he has to pay for it, and I have to agree to sell him those infos.
Cuz my phone didn't come for free, I had to pay for it and I don't see why I should use my data plan to help big Google and co...
unclefab said:
Of course I know that this perm is for the voice search, an app that I don't use either.
And I know that in 2013 it's not such a big deal if those big companies collect data about us, apart from spamming us with advs.
But I don't know how it will be in 10 our 20 years, and when I see the way our "democracies" go I rather understand now how to make myself invisible, better to prevent than to cure.
Imagine if Hitler had had this technology...
Those days are gone? I don't think so, the Yankees had Bush for eight years, the French had Sarkozy for five years, they were not modern Hitler but they were going in the same direction, cutting rough in the people's freedom.
They didn't go as far as Hitler but who knows what will happen in the next decades. I'm 44 and since the 90 ies I've seen a worrying drift towards less and less freedom, and it won't get any better for sure, it will only get worse.
Anyway, it's not only about this, it's about those apps using my data plan without asking, depleting my phone's battery and slowing my ram. If Google wants infos he has to pay for it, and I have to agree to sell him those infos.
Cuz my phone didn't come for free, I had to pay for it and I don't see why I should use my data plan to help big Google and co...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's more like, "by using the software on this phone, you agree to Google's data collection policies." Either create your own ROM that doesn't include the code, or don't use the phone. You could go to Apple and use an iPhone, but they do the same thing. Microsoft does the same thing with Windows Phone. Palm did the same with WebOS. Seriously, there's nowhere you can go where anonymous data isn't collected to develop products.
I am glad that there are few more people who take their privacy seriously and knowledgeable enough to know what happening inside phones.
I strongly believe that this topic needs mass exposure. Millions of innocent people don't know what's happening and the risks. Take this topic to social networks and spread. For my part I will post this thread link on Facebook, Twitter and WhatsApp.
I would also wish that some of our great developers would come forward and help in this matter.
Thanks for starting this thread.
I knew people will feel thus topic as paranoid. But that's preference.
No problem, speak against topic or support this topic, you will help other members have clear picture of what I want to say. After all critics have role to play too. So thanks to all.
@unclefab thank you for your comment which helped me get my words meaningful.
@silentvisitor that's what I had planned to get the topic wide exposure. Hope, there will be respect for privacy oneday.
Revolutionary changes are required and that can be just hoped.
The only hope I can see is that when the country itself recognises this as an issue than it can impact on world... more and more country joins the cause the stronger will be the impact.
These are just hopes and how future will play that God knows.
Sent from my GT-I9082 using Tapatalk HD
Product F(RED) said:
It's more like, "by using the software on this phone, you agree to Google's data collection policies." Either create your own ROM that doesn't include the code, or don't use the phone. You could go to Apple and use an iPhone, but they do the same thing. Microsoft does the same thing with Windows Phone. Palm did the same with WebOS. Seriously, there's nowhere you can go where anonymous data isn't collected to develop products.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep, true, and actually Apple is worse.
What I don't like, beside the fact that they hijack my connection, my battery and my ram (and I mean, not only Google but most apps), is that they create files about us. It's ok as long as we have a democracy but as I previously said I'm not very optimistic about democracy in the future, remember the infamous patriot act in the States...
For example, Google knows that mister uncle fab has a gmail account. It knows as well that uncle fab goes on this and that website and reads this or that page, buys this and that online, has this and that app on his phone, goes here or there (thank you GPS and Google now) and stops here or there, listens to this or that kind of music, watches this or that movie, takes this and that picture and so on.
Eventually they have a file about uncle fab, and know a lot about his life and his taste.
Suppose now that uncle fab is a commie and someone who disagrees with the invasion of Iraq and Afghanistan, and that he's a muslim who has traveled to some of the so called axe of evil countries (which I did by the way, that's why I take this example, but fear not for I'm no terrorist )
What would happen? If uncle fab lives in the States he may be in serious trouble and get invited to a nice all included stay in Guantanamo, eventhough he's not a terrorist.
Well that's just an example but seriously, what happens with all those files they gather about people? Not to mention facebook, you know what I mean, their data base is huge and includes pictures.
What will they do with those files in the event of the government turning fascist or half fascist?
I'm not a terrorist but I have some convictions and some ideas that would make me a bad guy for a fascist regime and that would bring me to jail.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not a bad guy
But, amongst others, I seriously dislike the State's foreign policy and sincerely think that the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are crimes against mankind that should bring their authors (Bush and his friends) in front of the international court. I do think as well that endeavors like wikileaks are very good ones and that their informants shouldn't be trialled.
I do think other things as well, it's my right, but under the Bush administration I would have been called a bad American and if they had caught me I would have won a free stay in Guantanamo.
During the Mac Carthy area I would have been called a commie because of my anti capitalistic ideas and would have been sent to jail.
Etc, etc...
So eventhough I'm not a bad guy I rather stay as invisible as I can, no-one knows what will happen in the future but from my point of view it looks pretty grim to say the last.
Regarding your remark about building my own Rom I agree, it's on my list of to do things.
But let's see first how the Mozilla os goes, and if the devs behind the Linux on android project manage to make it work properly for a daily use.
At the end of the day it's a matter of choice as you said, if someone doesn't like Google one can uninstall its apps.
You know, I spent hours playing with the apps I mentioned in my previous posts and I can say that no app knows my imei or my location, and that the only apps I allowed to connect with the internet are my browsers and the Yahoo app whose abusive perms I blocked.
Of course the browsers know my ip but that's all they know and I don't care about it, and if one day I did then I would use a vpn app or tor/orbot.
So I don't see how anyone could squeeze any data from me...
Oh, I just found this on the forum, give it a read:
http://www.xda-developers.com/android/say-sayonara-to-the-play-store-part-1/
If you want privacy, go move to a rainforest in South America or something. Get rid of your phone, computer, internet connection, etc. What you guys are asking for is ridiculous. You want free products handed to you on a silver platter. These companies need something in return. At the very least, they need the information they collect to understand their userbase. I'm a marketing major and computer science minor. Really, I understand that privacy is pivotal to you guys, but you're demanding something pretty ridiculous. This is ANONYMOUS usage data.
Sent from my Galaxy Note 2
Product F(RED) said:
If you want privacy, go move to a rainforest in South America or something. Get rid of your phone, computer, internet connection, etc. What you guys are asking for is ridiculous. You want free products handed to you on a silver platter. These companies need something in return. At the very least, they need the information they collect to understand their userbase. I'm a marketing major and computer science minor. Really, I understand that privacy is pivotal to you guys, but you're demanding something pretty ridiculous. This is ANONYMOUS usage data.
Sent from my Galaxy Note 2
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You sound very straight forward. Your comments are brainwashing. You have better way of critical thinking, its appreciable. As a marketing guy you know user have different preferences and taste.
Rarely people are concern about privacy which is not letting this being called as an issue.
Data is used anonymously, is this justified?
Even Facebook says this, than why it has photos and name in their database?
How come Facebook/Google recognize face with exact name if data is anonymous..
Can any of data stealers come forward and give just a short justification and proof about how data is being used?
Sent from my GT-I9082 using Tapatalk HD
As Fred as stated, everything you do is tracked and monitored. This is nothing new really, been going on for years. There is only one way around it. That is to remove yourself from all things as stated above. You would be amazed how many times your personal info changes hands on a daily basis. Even utility companies track your usage. Your cell carrier does the same thing. Now I understand wanting privacy but total privacy is a myth that in this day and age is not an option. Now I dont trust the Gov in any way shape or form, to the point of not buying any device that has the fema chip installed. Which is 99% of the devices in the US.
One of your ads just redirected me to a site that told me that my Samsung Galaxy tab 3 got infected by a virus!
I didn't even click on it, I think.
The message was in my native language (german)
Pls try to fix this!
Some users could fall victim too such scams.
I guess your possibilities might be limited but maybe you can talk to your ad delivery networks to ban such ads and use better techniques to prevent such ads from appearing on their networks. (other websites have these issues as well)
This definitely wasn't a nice experience.
Sometimes ad blockers have their advantages (blocks viruses/scam/phishing) so if you don't want to loose people and get no money for showing ads you should do something about this
Regards,
Djfe
Why on earth did you click on the adverts?
I'm fairly sure most users will be more suprised by the fact that there are still people who don't use an ad blocker, especially on a tech site.
XDA doesn't individually approve each ad. Those are generated by, ususally, Google Adsense, based on your own browsing history.
Not to mention, nobody here should ever fall for 'you Android device has a virus'. This is a website for developers by developers. The fact that Android can't be infected by a virus is common knowledge to everyone here. XDA users are too tech-savvy to be fooled by something that ridiculous.
Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk 2
Its not always good to use them
ShadowLea said:
Why on earth did you click on the adverts?
I'm fairly sure most users will be more suprised by the fact that there are still people who don't use an ad blocker, especially on a tech site.
XDA doesn't individually approve each ad. Those are generated by, ususally, Google Adsense, based on your own browsing history.
Not to mention, nobody here should ever fall for 'you Android device has a virus'. This is a website for developers by developers. The fact that Android can't be infected by a virus is common knowledge to everyone here. XDA users are too tech-savvy to be fooled by something that ridiculous.
Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk 2
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upto some extend you are right but sometime you should allow some non-intrusive adds to get displayed. Well those people who are non rooted may face such problems. Well the websites like xda, facebook and countless more are working because of adds...i am not against the add blocker but its not always advised.
sachoosaini said:
upto some extend you are right but sometime you should allow some non-intrusive adds to get displayed. Well those people who are non rooted may face such problems. Well the websites like xda, facebook and countless more are working because of adds...i am not against the add blocker but its not always advised.
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Most of us use Tapatalk or the XDA app when on our Android devices. Those don't show apps
I'm not rooted either. You don't need root to use Adblock Plus in Firefox, even on Android. It's just a plugin in the browser.
Most of us are more than willing to help XDA by paying (For instance for the XDA Forum app), but we refuse to have to deal with intrusive ads. (Ironic, since I'm in advertising.)
Facebook isn't working because of the ads. Facebook is working because they earn millions selling your data.
i won't go into details
ShadowLea said:
Most of us use Tapatalk or the XDA app when on our Android devices. Those don't show apps
I'm not rooted either. You don't need root to use Adblock Plus in Firefox, even on Android. It's just a plugin in the browser.
Most of us are more than willing to help XDA by paying (For instance for the XDA Forum app), but we refuse to have to deal with intrusive ads. (Ironic, since I'm in advertising.)
Facebook isn't working because of the ads. Facebook is working because they earn millions selling your data.
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allow some advertisements. won't gonna debate what anybody i know what all websites to...:good:
Well If I have clicked on the adverts then that was accidentally
yes most users on here are technical, but some are also noobs trying to search for roms for their devices
Android can be infected by viruses but not without the users interaction (the play store is pretty safe so you would need to download apps from suspicious sites)
Android only cannot be infected by drive-by-downloads
and no website would be able to warn you about something like that
I know that xda cannot filter adverts, but Google adsense might be able to do that if you report malicious ads to them
I'm waiting for the last promised update for my device (Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 10.1 -> Kitkat)
then I will root it/switch to a custom rom
on my rooted smartphone I'm using an adblocker (that replaces the host file)
Firefox isn't really good, the performance is very bad and it is still very buggy on some unoptimized sites
else I would use it
Chrome works the best on my devices
FF might work better on high-end devices/current devices but I don't own one at the moment (my devices are from 2011 and 2013)