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Google Gemini is about to control your messages and calls, even if you say no
(www.laptopmag.com)
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this post was submitted on 01 Jul 2025
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Privacy
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Gemini now has a second set of toggles buried in its settings menu. You can go to Profile → Apps inside the Gemini app and manually disable access to Phone, Messages, WhatsApp, or Utilities. But these are turned on by default, even if you’ve disabled tracking in the past.
So I just went to the app in my neighbor's phone, and it asked me to switch. I said no, and it won't let me do anything else. So will this need to be done next week?
So a system-wide wiretap?
This makes me so happy I'm using Graphine OS. Also the entire idea that there "not storing my history" I don't trust them. They have already been sued multiple times over keeping ingogneto data.
I went outside my comfort zone and installed Lineage on my old Pixel, only to find out I couldn't get wi-fi calling, so I reverted to my Google OS. Oh no. Any options other than Lineage or a new phone? This 6 year old phone works great except for the lack of updates, and expect for the upcoming Gemini updates :( I'm struggling.
Edit: Ubuntu Touch, anybody?
Edit 2: Looks like VoLTE isn't supported on Ubuntu, either. Any idea why?
GrapheneOS is the way to go with a Pixel phone. Wifi calling works just fine on my Pixel 8. As does VoLTE.
Graphene?
We use Chromebooks at my work (along with the whole Google suite), and we are bound by the rules of HIPAA. Without a way to opt out of this AI crap, I increasingly worry about what all of this means for our clients' privacy. Especially with this administration, with RFK deadset on targeting people with disabilities.
We use Chromebooks at my work (along with the whole Google suite), and we are bound by the rules of HIPAA.
Assuming you mentioning HIPAA and disabilities, you must probably work in the healthcare industry. What kind of backwater hospital/healthcare company uses chromebook?! I know chromebooks are prelevant in the education industry but healthcare.... They are cheap but Google makes up that money through Google Workplace vendor lock in! Man.... I have seen Linux running on hospitals even in 3rd world countries.... If you can, please quit that job! A healthcare workplace using chromebooks will not give a damn to employee's privacy!
What kind of backwater hospital/healthcare company uses chromebook
I was at a specialist's office and noticed they were using Windows XP. This was 3 years ago.
I did care before COVID, and the chromebooks were the safe option. Some sites had desktop computers available, but those had no antivirus and we logged into the admin account with full permissions.
No, it's really not. Primarily, because I'm using LineageOS with absolutely no Google services at all installed.
I believe most people who care about privacy don't trust Gemini or Google in general. So it's not an issue if you already not using Gemini app. It can be uninstalled (at least for now) even without going alternative ROM way
There's no option to uninstall on my neighbor's phone.
If you don't want this stuff on your phone, lemme point you to:
GrapheneOS (Pixels only, has Most Security at Tinfoil Hat level while also providing compatibility for Google Play (optional, sandboxed) and SafetyNet)
CalyxOS (Pixels, Some Moto G 5G, Fairphone 5, 4, SHIFTphone 8, less Security than GrapheneOS but has Security)
LineageOS (Many older devices, runs unlocked boot so least Security but still can run sans google)
I don't know anything about tech. I don't want to contribute anything to AI, but I'm afraid I'm going to brick my pixel if I install any of this. Here's a question. If I let them steal my info, does that hurt other people, or just me?
Depends. Do you want the possibility of an AI model being able to fork over some private details in your convos? The potential for someone that doesn't like what you believe in to subpoena google for this data?
As for bricking, it won't, and the whole process is on the website, using a chrome-based browser and usb cable (it detects which pixel you have and does all the hard stuff) but you do have to back up your stuff as it will erase when it gets graphened.
I was considering a switch but due to recent policy changes at Google, I'm now concerned about long-term (or even short-term) support for GrapheneOS and other custom ROMs:
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Techbros don't understand or care about consent
No-one in big business does.
Just grab em by the dongle
They got that idea "ask for forgiveness not permission" pushed to them by capitalist extremists for too long. I despise that concept in any context, whether justifying rape or violating privacy or anything else. But I even see it in TV shows these days portrayed as normal. Gross 🤮
Great, well bye bye Pixel 6a, about time anyways I guess. I knew it was only a matter of time before they did something to make these devices completely unbearable, "AI" bullshit has done it.
Just install GrapheneOS on your device and AI is pretty much gone
Just about to say the same, since he has a pixel phone...
I will definitely give it a shot, I've loaded an alternate OS on a phone before but it was more about customization then. Hopefully there will continue to be options like this for people who prefer to use their own brain and don't mind pressing buttons instead of giving voice commands. I don't want to talk to inanimate objects I talk to myself enough.
Well GrapheneOS is a a robust mobile OS built for security. It brings amazing privacy out-of-the-box and control features. You really own your phone! Not Google, not Big Techs and Government, YOU.
What phones can run graphene?
Only non-carrier-locked Google Pixel phones. They have been talking about potential partnership with other OEM but it's not easy with Google ToS for Android OEM manufacturer to support other OS officially. Also they have paranoid-level security model and beside a few company like Google, Apple and maybe Samsung few devices would meet their requierments... And you know, Samsung introduced Knox to prevent their users to flash other firmware or mod their hardware and the other one, Apple, is the company that killed the FOSS Cydia Store...
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GrapheneOS will feel very different, and quite a bit less of the "fun" customization options, since its goal is security.
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Is this also true about ChromeOS?
Interestingly, the same mentioned article from Android Police sells it as a "privacy win". I've tried to read it as a positive spin, and I seriously don't understand what these guys have been smoking.
https://www.androidpolice.com/upcoming-gemini-for-android-change-privacy-settings/
I completely agree, I guess what they call "privacy win" is that this feature can now work without storing data on Google (highlighted by me):
Based on Google's email, it seems the company will allow Gemini to access messages, WhatsApp, and control device system settings without requiring that you enable the Gemini Apps Activity setting for your account. This setting saves your Gemini history to your Google account, potentially allowing for better personalization.
Previously, if you had this setting disabled for your Google account, you weren't able to use the Messages, Phone, Utilities, or WhatsApp extensions in Gemini (via 9to5Google). Once this change rolls out to your account, you will be able to access these features without having to save your Gemini history on Google's servers.
When they say
potentially allowing for better personalization
they sound like the companies trying to sell you these features without mentioning the privacy implications of said features. :/
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"Not my messages and calls," laughs in iPhones
That's why degoogle community have more users recently !
Just disable Gemini completely.
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