Database Info

Privacy Concerns - Google Firmware

I am concerned that Google has their tentacles all throughout the OS, and I want to take all measures to stop that. I particularly don't like their search query tracking (I use ixquick) and their nav app, as their privacy policies are atrocious.
Before someone accuses me of being a hacker or criminal, I am simply not willing to hand over my 220 year old Constitutional rights for a transient fear campaign manufactured by The Machine. And I do not want my information used for profit without permission. I used to be a cracker, and know what is possible. I'll not respond to those who call me 'paranoid'; they are oblivious.
Of course I'll not be using the apps of that-search-engine-everybody-uses. Removing them forthwith, in favor of whatever GPL open-source apps there are available for various functions. Using self-contained nav software like CoPilot or TomTom.
So, have any devs investigated whether Android phones home at any interval? Have measures been taken to privacy-enable the Android firmware?
I hear that HTC has some sort of 'phone home' function. How to neuter that?
What good is Wifi? Is it that you can use that when available, not using up 3G bytes? I am asking what use it is on a mobile in consideration of mobility and the security problems -- what uses can this be put to, and how to secure the phone?
Where is the best place to find open-source apps?

I'm curious about this as well, not so much from a privacy standpoint, but how the hell can I stop the mysterious data that is flowing out of my phone when everything like background syncing and all data connections are turned off.

http://source.android.com/
This is all you need - you could remove/modify anything you want, so... what's your problem? And actually Google apps aren't in the Android sources, so you won't have them after compiling. Yeah, two birds with one stone.
Also you could disable WiFi if you don't like it.
Tachikoma_kun said:
how the hell can I stop the mysterious data that is flowing out of my phone when everything like background syncing and all data connections are turned off.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Errr... what ROM and how many apps do you have installed? There is no "mysterious data" on clean system, but 25% of apps use data connection for various reasons.

I'm on the stock 2.1 ROM for the Samsung Galaxy S. I turn all the background syncing, email, and stuff like that off, and overnight it can use about 1MB of data.
I don't have any "free" apps running that might download new banners or anything like that.

The background syncing does not turn anything off as far as I know.
To my knowledge it allows 3rd party apps the ability to check if the user has flagged this, but they do not have to respect this flag.

Tachikoma_kun said:
I'm on the stock 2.1 ROM for the Samsung Galaxy S. I turn all the background syncing, email, and stuff like that off, and overnight it can use about 1MB of data.
I don't have any "free" apps running that might download new banners or anything like that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Syncing is just... syncing. But there are many other things, that apps do. Spare Parts -> Battery history -> Network usage.

Brut.all said:
http://source.android.com/
This is all you need - you could remove/modify anything you want, so... what's your problem?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What's my problem, LOL? I am a 52yo real estate developer, not a coder. This is why I'm asking the question.

Quantumstate said:
What's my problem, LOL? I am a 52yo real estate developer, not a coder. This is why I'm asking the question.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i think he meant either put up or shut up, which is a pretty reasonable statement.
IMO it's anonymous user data.... let them build cybernet
otherwise say no to the T.O.S that is your constitutional right if you have "privacy" concerns

Brut.all said:
Syncing is just... syncing. But there are many other things, that apps do. Spare Parts -> Battery history -> Network usage.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, will give that a try.

themapleboy said:
i think he meant either put up or shut up, which is a pretty reasonable statement.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I meant we all have access to the sources, so we don't have to "investigate" what Android exactly does - we just know, that it doesn't do any "mysterious" things. There are many people working with these sources for many months, I doubt there are some undiscovered things.

Brut.all said:
I meant we all have access to the sources, so we don't have to "investigate" what Android exactly does - we just know, that it doesn't do any "mysterious" things. There are many people working with these sources for many months, I doubt there are some undiscovered things.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
u know what they say about assuming...... it always makes you look like a jackass

Yeah, I mean we're not playing with iOS4 or anything.
In all seriousness, Android's been out for quite a while now and has been looked at by a LOT of people. Not saying that it's *impossible* but it's highly unlikely that anything nefarious is going on.
If you're still concerned, I suppose you could always opt not to install the Google Apps, but you'd be a bit limited, functionality-wise.
Sent from my Droid using XDA App

themapleboy said:
let them build cybernet
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
O' little do you know... many years ago I did work in Eastern Europe. You have no idea the paranoia a society can endure. For an idea, watch the old TV series Danger Man. Or the movie 1984.
If most young people share your view, it is a dark future. I'm glad I'll be dead.
herald83 said:
In all seriousness, Android's been out for quite a while now and has been looked at by a LOT of people. Not saying that it's *impossible* but it's highly unlikely that anything nefarious is going on.
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Click to collapse
Understand. I just can not believe though that Google is not harvesting some sort of information, as that's their business model. They never discard any info they receive, and you can build a shockingly accurate portrait of someone from their searches over time. Google's CEO recently said, "If You Have Something You Don't Want Anyone To Know, Maybe You Shouldn't Be Doing It", echoing the Bush Doctrine of a Police State.
Maybe Android is innocuous for now, and I'm sure it's been examined. But I'm wondering what the results were? Why are ppl seeing data outflows?

I smell a rat...
Quantumstate said:
...Before someone accuses me of being a hacker or criminal, I am simply not willing to hand over my 220 year old Constitutional rights for a transient fear campaign manufactured by The Machine. And I do not want my information used for profit without permission. I used to be a cracker, and know what is possible. I'll not respond to those who call me 'paranoid'; they are oblivious...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Quantumstate said:
What's my problem, LOL? I am a 52yo real estate developer, not a coder. This is why I'm asking the question.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A 52yo real estate developer, whose not a coder, but used to be a "cracker" and knows what is possible? Anyone else here think this doesn't make a bit of sense?
It's funny, but it sounds like someone is trying to stir up some FUD by making claims that Android is somehow doing an "All your data are belong to us...". I hope Apple aren't paying your cheques!

@perpetualmotionuk: Be advised that there is a difference between mathematics and decryption, and coding. Yes I can do some coding, but not at a level necessary to analyze and modify an operating system.
If Apple were paying my 'cheques', wouldn't I come in with some sort of proof that monitoring is taking place? Rather than asking what others have found?
Now, rather than trying to tear people down, why don't you use that considerable nose to investigate this yourself?

No one's seen anything about info leakage?

Quantumstate said:
Understand. I just can not believe though that Google is not harvesting some sort of information, as that's their business model. They never discard any info they receive, and you can build a shockingly accurate portrait of someone from their searches over time. Google's CEO recently said, "If You Have Something You Don't Want Anyone To Know, Maybe You Shouldn't Be Doing It", echoing the Bush Doctrine of a Police State.
Maybe Android is innocuous for now, and I'm sure it's been examined. But I'm wondering what the results were? Why are ppl seeing data outflows?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Most of that data is pulled from search history, I suspect. Which you can disable, if I recall. Don't have my phone on me at the moment to confirm.

I just did a very simple test on an emulator: after ~15 minutes of running system there was 0 (zero, null) of network packets. Now I want to do the same on a device with clean system, but I think results will be the same or similar (SDK system is just normal Android - very similar to these from devices).
I have a feeling that even if I will catch zero packets as well, you will be asking whether Google send something mysterious through... errr... bluetooth? Some hidden antenna?

If you're worried about Google tracking your info...root the phone and don't install the Google apps. What do ya know...problem solved.
If you're still worried that people are tracking what you are doing see steps below.
1) Flush phone or give to a homeless guy to throw them off.
2) Destroy Computers.
3) Liquidate everything you own.
4) Walk into the woods and live off the land.
5) Kill self shortly after because they already have a file on you.
You say you're a 52 year old real estate developer...guess what...they're already tracking you. You're already helping to build "cybernet" just by living and breathing.
And if you are really worried about your "220 year old Constitutional Rights" then go read the Patriot Act and discover that you don't have ****.
I'm normally not one to flame...but you are an absolute idiot.

I'm not an English person, excuse for the syntax/grammar/... mistakes I'd could make.
hedjemunkee said:
I'm normally not one to flame...but you are an absolute idiot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't understand WHY this person could be considered as "an absolute idiot" by ASKING if some 'data' are sent over the network through the phone.
Facebook, with it's ad system is sending information for each ad displayed (not alot, but still some !)....
ADS.GOOGLE do you have any idea about what's behind !?
I don't have the number (nobody have it) of webpages using it but it's huge. with this you can track navigation of people, establish profiles, link to a physical person. Without your consent.
I understand the concern of the "OP" here. I don't think the data sent are easy to "catch", or are systematically sent... maybe there is no, and you are paranoid. But it "COULD". So easily. I'm from the young tech generation.
And to quote
Quantumstate said:
If most young people share your view, it is a dark future. I'm glad I'll be dead.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
People who don't ask themselve the question, or wich refuse to be open minded enough to consider the right to ask this question ... could be surprised very soon. I'm not directly affraid of "google". I'm affraid of those 'blind' people.
You'll be dead in less than 10years !? I hope we can share some of the darkness you're talking about. your parent's generation started it, you continued it.
Anyway, back to the topic.
Why in my pocess list i've : (app id number) com.ap.SnapPhoto:remote
even when I do not use the camera !?
...when I notice my battery is being used more than usual I check the process list and I find this...
What's this "remote" !?
Maybe "remote" refers to "another app wich launch this app"... ? Otherwise... wow.

[conspiracy theory] the government can tap phones even when on stand by....

Few days ago I was involved in a conversation where couple of people were sure that the government can tap our phones even when not in conversation but when they are actually in stand by on the table.
I tried to argue that when in stand by, android for example has very minimal processes going on, just enough to keep the time and realize when the power button is pressed or send notification.
The counter-argument was that there might be backdoors in the ROM for example which enables the authorities to get sound from the mic directly without the need of the OS as an interface.
I don't see how this can be done, but you as developers might want to provide some solid, technical arguments which would set the discussion once at for all

I guess if you're really that worried about it, there's always airplane mode.
Sent from my HTC PH39100 using xda premium

Worried about monitoring using a google/facebook/twitter device?
Pull some foil off your hat, and wrap it around the phone. Problem solved.
Just do what Eric says "Do no Evil" and who cares if the gummint is watching you!

I'm not worried at all as should be obvious if you actually read my post :>

Fking1 said:
I don't see how this can be done, but you as developers might want to provide some solid, technical arguments which would set the discussion once at for all
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, I'm no developer but if you are going to lurk deeper on backdoors, you'll soon find out that bigger corporations than Gooogle have implemented backdoors in their systems.
Still, this doesn't tell you how it's done, but proofs that has been done and afaics is no problem to do it again.
If I remember correctly some time ago Indian government tried to force BlackBerry to backdoor their devices for Indian market.
So judge it for yourself, but don't think that this is some Atlantis conspiracy but is actually happening all over the place..

B33zal said:
Well, I'm no developer but if you are going to lurk deeper on backdoors, you'll soon find out that bigger corporations than Gooogle have implemented backdoors in their systems.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Care to elaborate?
Also it will be enough if someone says why it's impossible to pull audio from the mic when the phone is on standby

In all actuality if the gumment wanted to monitor you they already are....

Fking1 said:
Care to elaborate?
Also it will be enough if someone says why it's impossible to pull audio from the mic when the phone is on standby
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's not impossible. Don't brick your head with such things. And why is that question anyway? Do you affraid that you can get caught?
If you are not doin anything against the law, after a while they would not even listen to you

chaki- said:
It's not impossible. Don't brick your head with such things. And why is that question anyway? Do you affraid that you can get caught?
If you are not doin anything against the law, after a while they would not even listen to you
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well to be honest, i'm big time criminal in my country, so the answer to that question is critical to me :>

Fking1 said:
I tried to argue that when in stand by, android for example has very minimal processes going on, just enough to keep the time and realize when the power button is pressed or send notification.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just because a listening device is not always on doesn't mean it doesn't exist. A single push notification can activate a hidden app or feature, should a government have installed it.
Indeed, there are "lost phone" apps on the market that let you do similar things (though I'm not sure about listening in per se, more like gps, alarm sound, take photos).

so, it's technically possible?

Fking1 said:
so, it's technically possible?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is possible and google patented an ad technique that involved using the microphone to listen for background noises and words to produce better more personalised ad results but haven't implemented it yet.
Also you can remotely activate phone features as well as push data to a phone so yes it could be done but they would need at least an app installed on your phone to do so.
So unless you allow someone to install hidden apps on your phone there's no chance of it.
Dave
( http://www.google.com/producer/editions/CAownKXmAQ/bigfatuniverse )
Sent from my LG P920 using Tapatalk 2

Interesting.
What if the government forces Google, Apple and Rim to leave such backdoors accessible by them?
Android is open source but the kernel is not as far as i know?

Fking1 said:
Interesting.
What if the government forces Google, Apple and Rim to leave such backdoors accessible by them?
Android is open source but the kernel is not as far as i know?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
even if thats the case: just flash an own kernel like we all do.
i don't think there's something in android, because it's open source. someone would see that..
and the kernel problem is solved when you flash another one i guess
but those normal ppl out there.. the weird ones who doesn't flash their devices, they are ****ed then. xP

but are the kernels we flash open source? I guess even with custom ROM you use the default google kernel, since if it haven't been open source in the first place, i don't think anyone has written it from scratch.
The more important question is, can something like this be hidden in the kernel, or it needs to run in the OS as normal, but hidden app?

Fking1 said:
Care to elaborate?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
NSAKEY. I'd post links but I can't.

B33zal said:
NSAKEY. I'd post links but I can't.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
NSAKEY?
post them sripped or PM me

Is it possible? Yes is it likely? No. At least in the US they would need to prove you were a threat to national security to get a judge to sign off on it.
The android kernel is open source completely.
As an example there is a root binary that grants root access without user prompt or notification of any kind. So while it can be done I would not worry about it much.
FEMA chip anyone?
Sent for a corner cell in Arkham

dmhdogpro said:
In all actuality if the gumment wanted to monitor you they already are....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Bingo
I do not worry about my Government, if they want me they
will come and get me (and I won't be able to stop them)
It is my fellow citizens whom scare me the most.

B33zal said:
Well, I'm no developer but if you are going to lurk deeper on backdoors, you'll soon find out that bigger corporations than Gooogle have implemented backdoors in their systems.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is true and some EULAs even suggest that there is no privacy on the data commited to the systems. Simple software we use daily (specially in the MS Windows world) is gathering info about what data you search, what you download, what kinda documents you type, etc. Even cloud storage services have a EULA that guarantee you no privacy (Box, Dropbox, Google drive, etc)
As for Android, I highly doubt the problem lies in the operating system, since it is open source and anyone can take a look at it.
Now if you want a conspiracy theory, then read on...
Have you guys noticed how many of the browsers in Play Store are from chinese developers? Specially Dolphin, which many of you adore. Who can tell it isn't secretly sending your browsing habits to the Chinese government? How many people have been sniffing traffic to/from Dolphin (using tcpdump, for instance) to make sure it isn't doing other things?
Chrome (and Chromium) is another example: most people simply have to access their google accounts from these browsers. These browsers effectively send private user data to google. The question here is: how is google making use of such data and who is it sharing it with (for a profit or not)???
It's almost a paradox that in the information age we are more and more willing to have privacy but we have never shared so much of their personal lives with so many as we do now. Take, for instance, Facebook, Google+, Twitter,
I could go on and on... but I gotta some wifi sniffing to do right now and some wardriving later.

[Q] NSA Can Spy on Smart Phone Data

Surprise, surprise!
SPIEGEL has learned from internal NSA documents that the US intelligence agency has the capability of tapping user data from the iPhone, devices using Android as well as BlackBerry, a system previously believed to be highly secure.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
-http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/a-920971.html-
I believe that smartphones are a gold mine not only for spying agencies but also for commercial behavioral trackers. I would wish to see more privacy-aware development from the XDA community.
I am aware of Xprivacy, OpenPDroid and Replicant. What other work is done to make Android more privacy friendly?

I agree .... just recently a criminal in my area was found and arrested after the police called his cell phone provider and had them track him for them... now it's good that a criminal was caught but the possibility of abuse of the tracking abilities of these phones is too risky for me .... I would love to see some privacy apps come out that can get a handle on this issue.

Here they need a warrent if they want to track your Phone through the provider and over here the providers wont give any info if they dont have to as far as i know.

Not Anymore i found the Backdoor Nobody belive me but Why
The name of the Backdoor is SevenEngine.apk delet it and no more Spying
Sent from my GT-S5830i using xda premium

Red Hack group said:
Not Anymore i found the Backdoor Nobody belive me but Why
The name of the Backdoor is SevenEngine.apk delet it and no more Spying
Sent from my GT-S5830i using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well... If you perhaps looked into what that app is, you'd find that it's the engine powering Samsung stock ROM email services?
Before you claim something is a backdoor, and that removing it leads to "no more spying", what about some proper analysis of the app?
The app is not present on stock version of Android either

This app dont appear is service list and used this week 190 Gb data connection Oo explain !
Sent from my GT-S5830i using xda premium

Red Hack group said:
This app dont appear is service list and used this week 190 Gb data connection Oo explain !
Sent from my GT-S5830i using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If it's not in the service list, it's not a service...
190 Gb - really? I think you need to either check your stats are correct there, or look at the traffic you've sent/received in terms of Email.
You can't "call" a backdoor using these userland tools, as a good backdoor won't appear in them...

I would more worry about the millions of users who check e-mail on a device on public WiFi (secured with password or not).
So many people connect to POP accounts with the credentials sent in plain text format with no secure e-mail setup.
Same applies to some Apps not just the main App bundled with the system.
P.S. I am not talking about sending passwords by e-mail in plain text. (yet I worry for the masses that do that also.)
I am talking about those who have e-mail accounts setup on a device, but the e-mail client communicates with the e-mail server for log-in with an unsecured / unencrypted protocol.

zurpher said:
I am aware of Xprivacy, OpenPDroid and Replicant. What other work is done to make Android more privacy friendly?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good thread, thanks has been given. Have a look into my signature. This is the project I am very fire and flame for at the moment. If you would like to know when being traced down by law enforcement agencies or police, participate in developing this awesome app!

NSA's sole purpose is spying, they will die but do this. They try to spy on everybody not just in USA but all over the world. Smartphones are not the only target. They put their hands on everything, I am sure Windows and other OS and most popular software are full of hidden back-doors inserted by NSA. Of course it is done without warrants. It is approved by secret judges in secret courts. Thanks Snowden and other guys to poor more light on this.

Im glad this forum was started... I am very excited about android security as well and for a good reason: I have a lot of highly confidential patient files on my phone and tablet and would never imagine of giving them up.
For the communtiy who want more : there's an app out of beta but still in developement called network connections. google it. It monitors the current live connections and their IP address. In my opinion very useful but i think its needs a rigerous run. Ive been using wireshark but thats a bit too hectic given my time constraints. Oh and the dev has graciously put the pro version for free download for this week only. so give that a try and let me know.

Of course, lets not kid ourselves into believing Android is secure from highly funded and powerful spying agencies.

aejazhaq said:
I have a lot of highly confidential patient files on my phone and tablet and would never imagine of giving them up.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hahaha.. you suck in securing your files!

dharmabum02 said:
I agree .... just recently a criminal in my area was found and arrested after the police called his cell phone provider and had them track him for them... now it's good that a criminal was caught but the possibility of abuse of the tracking abilities of these phones is too risky for me .... I would love to see some privacy apps come out that can get a handle on this issue.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A cell provider can track you like this regardless of what type of phone you have. It's not a smartphone thing. All they need to do is see what cell tower your phone is connected too (any network, not just data). And since it's their tower they know where it is - hence they know your approximate location from you turning your phone on.
So if you don't want your provider to know where you are - don't connect to their network.

SecUpwN said:
Hahaha.. you suck in securing your files!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hahahaha... yeah but I have to work off my tablet and theres so much in a days work unless the precess is automated I doubt I can do it every single time. The others just will probably have a hard time with APG anyway ... for now im sticking with the hospital address.

I'll be back said:
NSA's sole purpose is spying, they will die but do this. They try to spy on everybody not just in USA but all over the world. Smartphones are not the only target. They put their hands on everything, I am sure Windows and other OS and most popular software are full of hidden back-doors inserted by NSA. Of course it is done without warrants. It is approved by secret judges in secret courts. Thanks Snowden and other guys to poor more light on this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ya

zurpher said:
Surprise, surprise!
-http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/a-920971.html-
I believe that smartphones are a gold mine not only for spying agencies but also for commercial behavioral trackers. I would wish to see more privacy-aware development from the XDA community.
I am aware of Xprivacy, OpenPDroid and Replicant. What other work is done to make Android more privacy friendly?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Of course they are a data gold mine.
At one time everyone was warning of the day we'd have ID chips implanted in us to track our every movement. No need for that, we all willingly submit by carrying phones.
There is no privacy software that will help you. Your carrier can be compelled by secret courts to hand over any metadata associated with your account. This is not isolated to the US. Canada is doing it too, and probably many other countries.
If you want privacy, you can't connect to any networks.

flar2 said:
There is no privacy software that will help you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have a look at THIS THREAD. It aims to develop a tool to at least warn people that they're being traced down. Developer missing. Post there and revive the project!

zurpher said:
Surprise, surprise!
-http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/a-920971.html-
I believe that smartphones are a gold mine not only for spying agencies but also for commercial behavioral trackers. I would wish to see more privacy-aware development from the XDA community.
I am aware of Xprivacy, OpenPDroid and Replicant. What other work is done to make Android more privacy friendly?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Really, all this NSA bs is nothing new. If you are just now aware that spy agencies can spy on you now, well welcome to the modern age. They could spy on your phone even before smartphones existed.
Now what they are mostly doing is "Data Mining" on top of being able to hear what you say and if you really think you can do something against it, think again. And BTW, every developed country does it. The whole evil NSA is just antiamerican propaganda. If you think the russians are not spying or the chinese are not spying, think again. Maybe this will ease your conscience a bit by knowing that everybody spies.
If you are afraid of being spied and you have valuable information, you should not be asking major geopolitical agencies to change their policy, instead you should get off the internet. These are matters of "National Security".
Wellcome to the information age.
Information is power.

shadowcore said:
Really, all this NSA bs is nothing new. If you are just now aware that spy agencies can spy on you now, well welcome to the modern age. They could spy on your phone even before smartphones existed.
Now what they are mostly doing is "Data Mining" on top of being able to hear what you say and if you really think you can do something against it, think again. And BTW, every developed country does it. The whole evil NSA is just antiamerican propaganda. If you think the russians are not spying or the chinese are not spying, think again. Maybe this will ease your conscience a bit by knowing that everybody spies.
If you are afraid of being spied and you have valuable information, you should not be asking major geopolitical agencies to change their policy, instead you should get off the internet. These are matters of "National Security".
Wellcome to the information age.
Information is power.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Too true, sadly.

Am I Being Spied Upon by the Government?

I got a samsung S3. At times I notice the status bar change different colors and flash weird letters. It almost looks alien like. This happens like twice a week. Could this be the government spying on me?

yahanna said:
I got a samsung S3. At times I notice the status bar change different colors and flash weird letters. It almost looks alien like. This happens like twice a week. Could this be the government spying on me?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I guess its not about government spying as if a government spies it does via network so it does affect the hardware or phone software.
can you post screenshot?

yahanna said:
I got a samsung S3. At times I notice the status bar change different colors and flash weird letters. It almost looks alien like. This happens like twice a week. Could this be the government spying on me?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe you should wrap your Galaxy S3 in aluminum foil. That should prevent alien attacks, at least.

Do you not watch the news? The government is spying on us all. Congress knows about it. The judicial branch says it is ok and the Executive just doesn't care.

Its only because you rooted your device and was put in a watch list.... Government doesn't like not having control... [emoji12]

One way to be sure you are bing watch is if you ever notice light aircraft or helicopters in your area then you can be sure the have seen you. If you look at them and they fly off then they have notice you have seen them are are trying to be inconspicuous. Never go outside without a tinfoil hat. You can hide one easily under a top hat or cowboy hat, even a bowlers hat.

We all gonna dieeeeeeeeeee!

Nonsense, the only people spying on your phone is the Illuminati, They're watching us all...
Sent from my HP Slate 7 using XDA Free mobile app

@SidDev said:
I guess its not about government spying as if a government spies it does via network so it does affect the hardware or phone software.
can you post screenshot?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It flashes so fast that I got no time to take a screenshot. I wish though.
jasonmerc said:
Maybe you should wrap your Galaxy S3 in aluminum foil. That should prevent alien attacks, at least.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe you should wrap your head in concrete. That should prevent people noticing you.
Festrada007 said:
One way to be sure you are bing watch is if you ever notice light aircraft or helicopters in your area then you can be sure the have seen you. If you look at them and they fly off then they have notice you have seen them are are trying to be inconspicuous. Never go outside without a tinfoil hat. You can hide one easily under a top hat or cowboy hat, even a bowlers hat.
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One way to be sure youre a paranoid troll with tendencies to harm women is if you post comments like this, people like myself will reply with comments like mine. If you look at them and they dont look at you, it explaims why youre angry at them. Never try to talk to them. You'll only end up being rejected and as a result, more angry.
nobe1976 said:
Its only because you rooted your device and was put in a watch list.... Government doesn't like not having control... [emoji12]
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My phone isn't rooted yet. Youre right about the government though.

In first world countries this is an issue, yet I cannot say that this is very true for all classes of countries, namely 3rd world countries.
I am sensitive that NSA surveillance in the US does overlap the barriers of privacy and security, as the main operators are humans and not machines, yet I do not confirm this is true, this is just speculation. They can choose to cross those barriers without us even noticing them.
However in regards to being spied upon by the government, it will go as far only as you'd let them get information. I have simulated your errors by means of Network Security testing, and yes I am a Network Admin and simulate stealing information. What i can say is this, if the government uses technology by means of any frequency via Wifi, Bluetooh, GPS, etc and you have these on, then you have to be extra careful. Most tracking agencies do not leave the spying to machines, they do it themselves and can choose to go beyond stealing your "Intellectual Rights" so to speak.
I also have Hardbricked and soft-bricked devices in my simulations. But what I can is that you should be responsible for gathering facts and truths about this matter. It is foolish to speculate upon the government without knowing of the tools that they use in acquiring private information.
I hope my article has helped you, and i do wish this thread is closed as it is.

yahanna said:
It flashes so fast that I got no time to take a screenshot.
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try airplane mode for a while and see if it stop
if it does you are right
if it continues in airplane mode also its hardware or software problem.
BTW I am happy Indian government doesn't spy like you people.

This thread is hilarious. Thanks for the laugh, OP.

@SidDev said:
BTW I am happy Indian government doesn't spy like you people.
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BUT MAYBE THAT'S WHAT THEY WANT YOU TO THINK!!!!!!
yahanna said:
Maybe you should wrap your head in concrete. That should prevent people noticing you.
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Will try. Thanks for the heads up.
Sent from my HTC Rezound using XDA Free mobile app

Planterz said:
This thread is hilarious. Thanks for the laugh, OP.
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You sound like a nerd.
jasonmerc said:
Will try. Thanks for the heads up.
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Youre a weirdo.

yahanna said:
Ha ha ha... no.
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The truth is that you ARE being spied upon by the government. The FBI, CIA, TSA, and NSA are SO incompetent in their spy work that their spying causes graphical glitches on your phone. These glitches are caused by the syncing with the NFC chip that was injected into you the least time you got a shot at the doctor's office. You only noticed these glitches because there weren't enough pacifying hallucinogens in the atmosphere spread by the gubment in those inexplicable chemtrails you see crisscrossing the air above you.
Because, obviously, someone of such incredible genius such as yourself is of extreme interest by the government's top intelligence and law enforcement agencies that they'll spend tens of thousands of dollars in tech, equipment, and man-hours to monitor 24/7.
Or maybe there's just a software or hardware glitch in your phone.
---------- Post added at 06:59 AM ---------- Previous post was at 06:52 AM ----------
Oh, and since you posted this on a public forum (searchable by Google and other search engines), the government knows their cover has been blown. Expect a team of "cleaners" to arrive soon.

jasonmerc said:
BUT MAYBE THAT'S WHAT THEY WANT YOU TO THINK!!!!!!
Will try. Thanks for the heads up.
Sent from my HTC Rezound using XDA Free mobile app
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nope
its not like the us government

@SidDev said:
nope
its not like the us government
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They don't need to. The US, UK, Pakistani, and Chinese governments already spy on India enough.

I work for a large telephony company. In the US, if the government was spying on you, you wouldn't know about it. There's actually regulations built around how they spy on you, called CALEA (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Communications_Assistance_for_Law_Enforcement_Act)
Basically, the telephone company has a security group whose job is to receive CALEA requests, and essentially they fork your call into a 3 way call whenever you make/receive anything. That's how modern wiretapping works. No one outside of that group is legally allowed to know anything about it. It doesn't show up in call signalling.
As for the wide-spread stuff that the NSA was grabbing, they're grabbing "call metadata" so essentially the signaling information, and CDRS (call detail records). It's not the same thing as a wiretap, but you can still get a lot of information out of it.

msarro said:
I work for a large telephony company. In the US, if the government was spying on you, you wouldn't know about it. There's actually regulations built around how they spy on you, called CALEA (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Communications_Assistance_for_Law_Enforcement_Act)
Basically, the telephone company has a security group whose job is to receive CALEA requests, and essentially they fork your call into a 3 way call whenever you make/receive anything. That's how modern wiretapping works. No one outside of that group is legally allowed to know anything about it. It doesn't show up in call signalling.
As for the wide-spread stuff that the NSA was grabbing, they're grabbing "call metadata" so essentially the signaling information, and CDRS (call detail records). It's not the same thing as a wiretap, but you can still get a lot of information out of it.
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There are also "taps" or pass through skimmers at a lot of the data pipes throughout the country.
SSL should cover this, but SSL is so freaking broken its not even funny
Sent from my m7spr

But all jokes aside ('bout time someone took this half-seriously besides SidDev), I would try getting a stock firmware image and just flash that through ODIN. Doing this will erase your data, so make a backup of anything you really care about. I remember my old Rugby Smart had an issue where if the device was off and I plugged it into the wall socket to charge, it would say there was no battery inserted. However there was one inserted, and it would charge just fine if it was on. I just flashed back to stock firmware through ODIN and it fixed the issue.
If it still persists after flashing through ODIN, then it is probably a hardware issue. Unfortunately, I am not as experienced with hardware-related issues, so I wont be able to help with that if that is what it comes down to.
SidDev is right. It is either a software or hardware relates issue. Although the gubmit is spying on you (n' all of us as well), it wouldn't cause anything like that. If anything, the gubmit WOULDN'T want the phone to show weird signs, because that would make you suspicious..
Sent from my MB855 using XDA Free mobile app

GO keyboard is spying on you!!!

This is an interesting little tidbit
Security researchers warn that GO Keyboard is spying on millions of Android users
https://betanews.com/2017/09/21/go-keyboard-spying-warning/

thatsupnow said:
This is an interesting little tidbit
Security researchers warn that GO Keyboard is spying on millions of Android users
https://betanews.com/2017/09/21/go-keyboard-spying-warning/
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I already had doubt because it's cluttered.
Why it's still on play store?
Sent from my SM-G955F using Tapatalk

thahim said:
I already had doubt because it's cluttered.
Why it's still on play store?
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I'm not sure you'd think if it was true that Google would take it down right away. But maybe Google is in on whatever scam is happening?? Who knows

thatsupnow said:
I'm not sure you'd think if it was true that Google would take it down right away. But maybe Google is in on whatever scam is happening?? Who knows
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Must be
Sent from my SM-G955F using Tapatalk

thatsupnow said:
I'm not sure you'd think if it was true that Google would take it down right away. But maybe Google is in on whatever scam is happening?? Who knows
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Lol nope. Probably because they have to be 100% sure and are still investigating or it's in the queue. Otherwise if it turns out to be innocent or just outright false people will riot and be like "big evil company took my down because it completes with Gboard!!!" which is just as bad for public image if not worse.
Wtf would Google even want keylog data, much less risk immense government penalties and prosecution of its leaders?
Furthermore, if they DID want such data, wtf would they do it from some ****ty keyboard app? Why not embed it deep within the is where no one would find it? It's not like these keyboard spammer people hid it very well

partcyborg said:
Lol nope. Probably because they have to be 100% sure and are still investigating or it's in the queue. Otherwise if it turns out to be innocent or just outright false people will riot and be like "big evil company took my down because it completes with Gboard!!!" which is just as bad for public image if not worse.
Wtf would Google even want keylog data, much less risk immense government penalties and prosecution of its leaders?
Furthermore, if they DID want such data, wtf would they do it from some ****ty keyboard app? Why not embed it deep within the is where no one would find it? It's not like these keyboard spammer people hid it very well
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You obviously don't have the slightest idea of how many times has Google being sued for human rights violations including privacy

Protosatanos said:
You obviously don't have the slightest idea of how many times has Google being sued for human rights violations including privacy
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Wow... So many things wrong with this i had trouble figuring out where to begin.
You obviously don't have the slightest idea what you are talking about. Let me fill you in on reality...
1. You dont get sued for "human rights violations" ?️?️
2. Privacy isnt a "human right" ?️
3. How many times someone or something is sued has absolutely no bearing on anything, and is a useless, even dangerous metric to judge by. Or maybe ill just file 500 lawsuits against you for irrelevant things. They will all get thrown out that doesnt matter to you since the number of times is the important metric ?️?️?
4. Therefore your statement was invalid, as no one ever has been "sued for human rights violations ?️?️?️?️
The question that i think maybe you wanted to ask was "do you have any idea how many times google has lost a lawsuit or admitted wrongdoing in relation to anything with privacy of their users?"
It just so happens i know this on: it's zero. Thats right, not once, have they been successfully sued for or by an
while not perfect they actually are able to safeguard privacy in many cases, for example due to the fact that they can and do push back on government requests for user logs or data they feel is too broad or on shaky ground. Not many other companies have the capital much less the legal team to do that.
Next time, do a little research into things before just repeating what you read on conspiracy websites.

Not surprised in the least