this post was submitted on 25 Jun 2025
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Google’s Gemini team is apparently sending out emails about an upcoming change to how Gemini interacts with apps on Android devices. The email informs users that, come July 7, 2025, Gemini will be able to “help you use Phone, Messages, WhatsApp, and Utilities on your phone, whether your Gemini Apps Activity is on or off.” Naturally, this has raised some privacy concerns among those who’ve received the email and those using the AI assistant on their Android devices.

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[–] [email protected] 38 points 4 days ago (12 children)

Dammit don't make me switch to apple phones, I hate apple. I hate Google too but FFS all you need to do is stay out of my way and the one thing you continuously do is stand in my way...

GTFO of my way! Piss off with that AI crap that nobody asked for

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[–] [email protected] 12 points 4 days ago

Few years ago I got a Nest Secure to go with my other Google Nest gear. One day Google emailed me to tell me Assistant was now enabled on my security system. Oh, by the way, it has an undocumented microphone!

That’s when I realized what a privacy nightmare Google really is. I know Apple isn’t great but come on.

[–] [email protected] 9 points 4 days ago (6 children)

Just... Disable it. You can switch to the old assistant.

[–] [email protected] 23 points 4 days ago (2 children)

until google decides thats not allowed either

[–] [email protected] 1 points 4 days ago

Yup, but for now it's a solution

[–] [email protected] 4 points 4 days ago (2 children)

That'll be the day I switch phones.

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[–] [email protected] 32 points 4 days ago (8 children)

Remember when Google+ was the future?

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[–] [email protected] 43 points 4 days ago

"We spent a lot of money on this, so you're going to have it."

[–] [email protected] 32 points 4 days ago

“Google is making it easier for Google to pry into your personal data.”

“Water is making it easier for water to make you wet.”

[–] [email protected] 52 points 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago) (1 children)

I agree it would be concerning if I allowed Gemini access to my phone. Fuck that. This shit is exactly why I am on GrapheneOS.

[–] [email protected] 11 points 4 days ago (8 children)

Can you tell me about Graphene?

I got bank and government ID apps (manditory. Denmark uses MitID for all government related things), but they require things like locked bootloaders and Google security features.

Would those apps be functional on GrapheneOS?

[–] [email protected] 3 points 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago) (1 children)

I can also recommend CalyxOS. Locked bootloaders, open source emulation of all Google's play services (meaning an open source binary running on your phone, filtering requests to Google's servers with absolutely minimal/random info).

Basically I have anonymized access to the play store, and any apps I install other than Google pay work, no issue. ~~I believe even Google's secure features work. There's a reddit post about MitID: https://www.reddit.com/r/CalyxOS/comments/w2ordg/a_proven_way_to_use_calyxos_and_banking_apps_etc/~~

E: having read through the technical comments on graphene's forums, looks like play integrity prevents MitID from running. The service offers free code generators which hang on your keys though.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 4 days ago (1 children)

Do you happen to use android auto? Does that work OK? I could go without, but that's one integration that's just got it's hooks on me hard.

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[–] [email protected] 0 points 4 days ago

It's best to never use any apps or accounts for your business life on your personal device. I have two phones for this purpose.

[–] [email protected] 12 points 4 days ago

ew. Tell your government to stop mandating spyware.

Graphene does let you re-lock the bootloader. IIRC, whether an app works depends on whether they require SafetyNet full, or just basic. I have so far only found one app that refuses to work. However... it looks like MitID was recently updated and no longer works.

https://gist.github.com/lbschenkel/4199be415f2a139b64688ae74c92a7fc

Starting on 2024-06-12, MitID have started using Google Play Integrity API during activation. This means that new installations will no longer work in GrapheneOS nor any other non-stock Android, as they are not certified by Google and will not pass the required checks. The app still works (for now) if you managed to get it activated before that date.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 4 days ago

Maybe? It depends on what exactly the app checks for. Some apps don't work because they check if it's running on the original ROM. It's hit or miss.

If you can access what you need through the web, you can go that route instead.

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[–] [email protected] 41 points 4 days ago (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 27 points 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago) (1 children)

Let's not stop at Google. Break them all up!

[–] [email protected] 16 points 4 days ago (1 children)

Seize the means of production

[–] [email protected] 2 points 4 days ago (1 children)

Yes take over the Google factory!

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