Privacy and Android

[bintux]

My apologies if there was already lots of discussion about it and I failed to find it here but I was wondering how much information is going to Google if I don't use the build in web browser but instead Opera, if I don't synchronize my contacts or calendar with google and I don't use any other Google services? Do they have information about my Sms usage, my contacts that I saved on my Nexus One? I love Android and I bought the Nexus One because I believe that this great phone and OS is worth paying for but I rather keep my personal information under my control.
Thanks.

[extorian]

They would never have access to your SMS messages or usage anyway.

If you turn sycnronization off, and keep it off, then they won't know about your contacts or calendar entries either.

They can also get location from the MAC address of nearby WiFi routers (these have been mapped along with Street View), or from your cell tower location (which isn't very accurate, but could place you within a 100m or so from where you are), or from GPS. You can prevent Google from knowing your location from any of these sources by unchecking "Share with Google" in Menu -> Settings -> Security and Location.

GMail? Well if you use that it's obvious what they know.

They may well know the MAC address of your phone too, so any time you access Google's servers they could associate that with your phone, but if they don't know anything else about your phone it's not a lot of use.

[Brinkley1988]

They would never access your private message unless you agree with. And by the way, if you first time run the web browser, it will ask you wheather you would like to share your position? And you should choose no, if you don't like others to know where you are every moment.

[obsidianfury]

But if I'm not mistaken google would need a court order to access any real information about you contacts such as names and what not bu then again I could be wrong abou that. Th bes way to find out is to read the privacy statement or if that still doesn't answer your question call google and ask th source directly

Sent from my MB501 using Android Community App

[extorian]

They wouldn't need a court order to access your data if you agree to it though. And how many people actually read through those HUUUUGE pricacy policies and terms and conditions before hitting Next or OK or Install and running the app?

That aside, Android is Open Source, and many thousands of people have picked through the code. If they were doing anything dodgy there would be a huge outcry.

[obsidianfury]

That is true as I think you can get the source code on the internet

Sent from my MB501 using Android Community App

[extorian]

Yep, right here: http://source.android.com/

[bintux]

Thank you so much guys. I also believe that any kind of recording data in the background that people usually don't want to share (e.g. sms, calls etc.) if it became public Android would loose so many of its costumers and and Apple would suddenly gain reputation as a save have for your data. So I guess Google is well aware of that and therefore would touch these sensitive data.
Last question did anyone happen to have like a privacy guide with android and/or the google services? The NY Times did one a while ago for the privacy setting for Facebook. So I am wondering if there is something comparable for Google Services and Android.
Take care,

[extorian]

Not that I know of. But in terms of your phone all of the settings you can tweak are either in the main settings for the phone (of which there aren't that many to look through), or in Google's own apps, which are pretty obvious to spot. It would only take a few minutes to go through every Google related setting and adjust them as needed.

Hey you don't know a guy called John Connor do you? I hear he needs to live "off the grid" too.

[bintux]

Thanks for your help extorian.
No I didn't know John Connor but I just looked it up. In contrast to John Connor I do not fear the Androids ahhh I mean Machines . I just want to control my grid and not live off it.
Do I make sense