Ask Lemmy

If it's Android with Google apps, it isn't your phone.

...within reason. I know that the top answer will be to flash a different OS on your device. A lot of us are not at that point right now.

As long as you know the real answer already.

Do a factory reset on the phone, disable EVERY app you don't want to use (app info, disable works in modern AOSP even for apps you can't uninstall like youtube)

Don't link your google account to the phone.

Test your phone by saying "OK Google" and making sure it doesn't respond.

Slowly install the apps you want / need, testing the "ok google" and spanish text to see if it triggers some data-scraping service.

but translation certainly isn’t [done on device]

Google Translate has downloadable language packs and runs on device, including offline in foreign countries without roaming data. Including the live video OCR and replacement.

That’s not to say that what you experienced isn’t creepy, but it’s not necessarily cloud-driven.

I'm guessing you're using a Pixel phone? My partner's phone does the same background music detection, I think it's gross. These are some of the things I've done to help prevent the most obvious examples of spying on my Samsung:

Disable all permissions except ones that you absolutely cannot live without, set those to "ask every time."

Use a physical camera cover whenever you're not taking a photo.

Turn off location anytime you're not actively using navigation.

use a VPN with always-on settings enabled.

stop using Google apps entirely (Chrome, Mail, Maps, YouTube, etc.) Switch to web browsing on Firefox with unlock Origin installed

There's probably some way to directly uninstall other Google bloatware on your phone. I recently followed this tutorial to delete Samsung's voice assistant from my device, I'm sure there's a similar process for the Pixel

I don't know how helpful it will be, but probably the best thing to do is to just find ways to decrease its use. For me, I made two big changes:

1. Bought a step counter.
2. Bought an alarm clock.

Those two purchases mean I can turn my phone off at night completely and only have to have it on during the day when I'm actually using it.

That'll help cut down on the data collection. Technologically, I don't think there's a way to have it on 24/7 and completely turn off its native data collecting elements.

Are you using Gbord? Changing your keyboard app is easy and may be painless depending on how you type. I like Heliboard, there are many others though https://f-droid.org/packages/helium314.keyboard/

You can also use something like RethinkDNS https://f-droid.org/packages/com.celzero.bravedns/ and block connections to Google (or anywhere else)

Those would be a start

You could avoid Google messaging apps, avoid Gmail, avoid Chrome and replace the Google keyboard with something else. But I don't think you can really stop Google watching and listening on stock Android. That's why the replacement OSs exist.

GrapheneOS and kiss your live maps goodbye.

Faraday bags for phones.

Anything that runs the Android version that came with it will gather data on you and short of permanently disabling the data connection, you will not be able to escape it. Google gives back door access to everything it wants, constantly sends encrypted data packets to its servers that only they know what they contain and doesn't give you the ability to stop any of it.

If you have a Pixel phone installing GrapheneOS is incredibly easy. It gives you full control over what the apps installed on it are allowed to do on your phone, including Google's if you wish to install them (unlike on other phones where the privacy options are grayed out for them and permanently enabled). Mind you, you will lose some functionality if you block everything. But you are empowered to decide which apps you trust to do what on your own phone and disable what you don't need.

If you have something else than a Pixel, LineageOS is an option, however the installation process might be more complicated.

Mind you, with the FOSS alternatives you will sometimes experience some jank or advanced features that don't work. But it is a tiny price to pay to know you're not giving your data away. It has gotten far better in the last few years as well, at least from my experience with GrapheneOS

Try using Signal first, in addition to a FOSS keyboard.

Disable apps

Google exists for selling ads. All their tech exists to support them doing just that. You're the product.

FWIW, music detection happens on device with a relatively small library of hashes.

When music plays nearby, your phone compares a few seconds of music to its on-device library to try to recognize the song. This processing happens on your phone and is private to you.

That's for Pixels. I believe the result also stays on your phone.

https://github.com/samolego/Canta/blob/master/README.md

In addition to what others have said, remove a bunch of bloatware and spyware programs using this.

TrackerControl is an effective firewall. Blocking internet access to most google apps, like google framework. It should suffice for most of your needs. Even if it detects something, the data won't be sent to their servers.

Do test to see if any other services end up broken while blocked.

You can download AdGuard (it's not in the Play Store, download it from their website) and block Internet access, selectively, for pretty much any app (even system apps) and to any domain name. I've been using it for years to block ads. It's not free, it's like $10/year, but it's better than something free like NextDNS.

Soundproofed Faraday Cage box.

If you are a little into tech-stuff, I would recommend you a alternative AndroidOS, like eOs https://e.foundation/e-os/

I use eOs for 5 years now and Im satisfied. Its not the full userfriendly Apple-Experience, but most stuff works quite well.

While you cannot uninstall it, you should be able to disable Google Assistant and the Google app. That should cripple its access to such features.

I don’t care if I’m the most downvoted for this, and I read your disclaimer but… iPhone. I loved Android but switched to iOS after playing with my partner’s phone and I couldn’t be happier. All the weird privacy invasive things like Siri (which I aways have disabled), image recognition/search, FaceID, and all that are on-device and send no data out. My current phone is six years old and works perfectly, and I’ve never reformatted it.

I know lemmy hates Apple, but if you want a phone where an advertising company isn’t constantly spying on everything you do and don’t want to fiddle with installing a different OS, it’s amazing.