Google’s approach to protecting Android’s privacy comes under fire after Arizona’s antitrust investigations into phone tracing. As Insider reports, recently unedited documents indicate that Google has made it difficult to find the privacy settings for Android. When Google tested versions of the operating system that showed privacy features, the company reportedly saw increased use of these features as a “problem” and aimed to build them deeper into the menu system.
According to Arizona attorneys, the tech giant has also “successfully pressured” phone brands like LG to bury location settings because they were popular. Google officials also admitted that it was difficult to prevent the company from determining where you lived and worked, and complained that there was “no way” to assign your location to third-party apps without giving them too Pass on to google.
We asked Google for a comment. In the past, Arizona attorneys have been said to have “mischaracterized” their services and offered “robust” privacy controls for the site.
Google has been improving their privacy lately. Android 12 has an “approximate” location option in addition to a privacy dashboard and other controls. However, if the allegations persist, the company could have a difficult legal battle ahead – they suggest Google was determined to collect data despite the preferences of Android users.
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