this post was submitted on 03 Jul 2025
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[–] [email protected] 1 points 18 hours ago

I'm pretty sure I disabled/removed it when I got this phone. I don't specifically remember doing it but when I get a new phone, I watch some YouTube videos on how to purge all the crap I don't want.

I read an article that mentioned using command line stuff to eliminate it and it kind looked familiar. I think I did this. I really should write stuff down.

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

These instructions are awful. There's no Gemini listed in my apps, and Settings > Apps doesn't show it either. But if I search for "Gemini" in settings, THEN it shows up, but doesn't have access to anything the article says to do.

However, from that screen, I was able to apparently turn off its access to everything, and switch back to assistant, which appears to have turned it off completely, but who knows if it's still lurking in the background.

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

I have Android 16 on a Pixel 8 but no Gemini. Is it not installed if I chose "No thanks" when I got the info screens about it?

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

Open settings, and search for"Gemini" from the search bar. That's the only way I was able to get to anything Gemini related. I turned off it's access to everything from there, then the last setting was to switch back to assistant which appears to have turned Gemini off, but who knows (hence disabling it's access to everything anyway).

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

With search there's only a single "Gemini Settings" that is found. That opens a wizard for me. On the second page, after scrolling all the way down, I can select "No thanks". That's what I was referring to. I was wondering if that's enough.

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

Privacy-conscious Indians are gonna have a nightmare. Indians excessively use whatsapp.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 4 days ago (2 children)

Everyone outside of the US uses whatsapp.

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

In Norway we use Facebook Messenger, which is worse. Wattsapp's at least usable as a messaging platform for more than 1-to-1 communication

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

Viber is more popular in eastern europe

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

Still is. At least in my country its probably more popular than the rest of them combined.

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

I haven't turned it on. Am I safe?

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

Nop. Disable it in the settings/apps

[–] [email protected] 1 points 3 days ago

I cannot find it as an app in the app listing.

I find it only through search in settings, and it opens a screen - asking to activate it.

It seems weird.

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

I remember getting flamed so hard for saying that Google/android was incredibly invasive tech. I was laughed at, called an apple fanboy and accused of schilling.

Sadly, it looks like I’m the one laughing now.

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

Lol and Apple doesnt do any of that?

[–] [email protected] 3 points 4 days ago (3 children)
[–] [email protected] 2 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago) (1 children)

I can't. Everything they release is proprietary and locked down, so let's just trust their narrative.

I can only recommend well researched eyeopener from Techaltar: https://youtu.be/JHnBOUNxHsw

[–] [email protected] 1 points 3 days ago (1 children)

So, they’re doing shit you can prove, but they’re doing it. Do I have that right?

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

I will be honest that I don't know what exact shit are we discussing here I rather wanted to point out that Apple might not be as much privacy first company as they like to present themselves.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 3 days ago

If they’re not, I’m sure it should be easy for you to provide evidence to support your claim. That’s all I’m asking.

That is the shit we are talking about.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 4 days ago (1 children)

No proof.
But even the US is scared of encrypted exfiltrated data because their adversaries could crack the encryption later on.

Same here.
They have the data and for now decided to not yet do do anything too bad with it.
But Google also had the motto "Don't be evil" at one point.

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

Apple absolutely does collect huge amounts of data from the users. The difference is they don't directly 'sell' that data to advertisers. Instead they get paid to personalize the ads themselves and wear that as a badge for 'advocating privacy'. Stock Android is horrendous compared to what Apple does, yes. However you usually have the option to ditch it for a more privacy respecting Android.

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

Same for you. Proof that Apple isn't using it to analyze your (usage) data.
And it's not okay just because it's the 1st party analyzing it because they arent selling it.

I am really tired of the hypocrisy of some lemmy users advocating for maximum privacy to the detriment of everyone around them but on the other hand just saying "yeah, that's totally fine" and basically breaking all their principles.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 3 days ago

The article we are commenting on, along with the countless others that call out Google/android for snooping in your data and selling it off is my proof.

I really tired of lemmy users that think because one thing is bad- ALL things similar are bad.

Is almost like nuance is just something kids don’t seem to understand anymore.

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

Look up a YT channel called Tech-Bore

[–] [email protected] 1 points 3 days ago (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 1 points 3 days ago (1 children)

Yes it is, because he shows you

[–] [email protected] 1 points 3 days ago

When the time comes that I’m willing to go to random dudes on YouTube for my news, I’ll buy whatever bridge you’re selling.

That day isn’t today.

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

They haven't done anything with that data yet*

While clearly the lesser evil in this moment, I wouldn't count on that lasting forever.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 4 days ago

As every user at some points mentions: They are a public company and once they can't satisfy their shareholders, they will turn on the data faucet to 3rd parties. They already have the an advertisement CDN.
They already have everything in place to achieve that situation.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 4 days ago

Signal is also a great alternative to WhatsApp. Molly for the extra privacy focused.

[–] [email protected] 18 points 4 days ago (1 children)

My gf got one of those emails, but she doesnt have the Gemini app installed on her phone. All of the instruction articles I can find only explain how to turn it off if you have the app.

Does not having the app mean that she's safe from this, or does it mean that she needs to download the app to disable the "feature"?

[–] [email protected] 3 points 4 days ago (2 children)

I also don't have a Gemini app but if you search for Gemini in the Settings main menu, it shows up.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 3 days ago

I don't have the app, and searching for "gemini" only gives "gemini settings" which when clicked opens the promt of "do you accept changing Google assistant to gemini", clicking "not now" just sends me back to setting search.

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

Thank you. We had actually already checked this but had not found Gemini in the settings.

Turns out typing "gem" in the settings search is not enough. Only typing "Gemini" returned a result.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 3 days ago

Sneaky, aren't they?

[–] [email protected] 3 points 4 days ago

Kinda seems fucking stupid

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

I can't find Gemini on my phone.

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

It's absolutely there,it relaced assistant...

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