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How to stop your android phone spying on you

I was sitting with the lovely the other evening chatting. Our conversation ended and I was reaching for the telly remote when my phone chipped in with its opinion of the subject we had been discussing. Pissed off doesn't even come close to my reaction, damn near put it in the wood stove right then. Didn’t sign up or wanr that crap. This big tech needs a damned good smack down.
 
jorogi said:
I was sitting with the lovely the other evening chatting. Our conversation ended and I was reaching for the telly remote when my phone chipped in with its opinion of the subject we had been discussing. Pissed off doesn't even come close to my reaction, damn near put it in the wood stove right then. Didn’t sign up or wanr that crap. This big tech needs a damned good smack down.
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I wish I could turn off my Tv's microphone, but at least now there are 6 fewer devices spying on my family now.
 
Im shocked how the ads are tuned to what im thinking.
Yesterday I ripped my work pants I had to go and buy another pair
My favourite jacket is a fleece lined denim I wore it to go to the store.
Never saw an ad for pants before this came up this AM.
Its freaky as F***k
This happens every day. My wife is getting sick of me showing her these ads

Screenshot_20250214-115456_Chrome.jpg
 
Every app that you put on your phone is tracking you. Turning off the settings for one set does not stop them all. Hell some apps are free to use so they can track you then sell the data. It’s a trillion dollar business now. Basically if it’s digital it’s tracked. Just an fyi you can buy data from companies that can be targetted. Anyone can buy the data it’s just a matter of money. What’s really disturbing is that they are all listening to you. Hence some of the examples from other posts. Wanna test it, if you don’t have small kids or grandkids. You and the wife say baby food 5 times in conversation. You’ll start seeing the ads.
 
I was in the shop the other night, alone, sorting hardware, and I noticed I was low on 1/4 20 nutserts. I went to add them to my stock order, but before i could, I had ads for nutserts. Nobody was in my shop and not a word was said about them.

I do have Starlink.

Is Elon in my brain?

I guess my question is this, how can I avoid the steps in between and just have a direct from thought to order seamless process? More tinfoil? We are almost there folks.
 
Mcgyver said:
I pine for the blackberry days. Did everything, all the apps came with it, tactile keypad, no ads and afaik no spying.
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True, I can remember they got in to trouble for not allowing agencies to spy on users. But people wanted choices and pushed for more. Now we have a generation that think it’s actually better that they get targeted advertising. That they get content tailored for them. With active AI being built in to phones it can only get worse.
 
Sadly, Blackberry was done in by industrial spying, and theft of their technology. As I remember, when they tore the building down, they found 150 microphones, tracked back to Nokia. There is no penalty for murder in Canada, and none for industrial spying.
There is a article out there with Eric Snowdon showing how he disables the three extra microphones in his new cell phone. One of the very worst things you can do is enable Ai, Bixby, and other foolish toys they put in there to "help" you. Always disable the GPS on photo's or anything else, and stay as far away from Google as you can. For instance, if you dictate text messages, download the dictionary, and don't depend on Google to type for you. It actually works faster if the dictionary is downloaded, and Google does not have to hear every word you speak.

I have found the best thing to stop spying is to enable wifi and have no data package...none. I also set the phone to choose wifi first when making a call. You can still text anywhere if you feel so inclined. This way, you control how your information is getting back to the abusers. It is not at all necessary to have Spotify while driving, or watch a movie.
I have been forced to give up my flip fone because the damn company went to G5 only, so I got a dumb fone, a Galaxy Z flip 5. I have not experienced forced ads at all. Of course, I also have an ad blocker installed.
My .0002 cents worth.
 
My blackberry was the best phone I ever had. I STILL hate typing on a touchscreen. And the phones have all gotten way too big. I went out the other day, and left my Phone at home. It was oddly freeing. But I forgot a few things I was supposed to pick up because the list was on my phone, and I couldn't message the Wife.....

If targeted ads can figure out how my brain works, and get me off my wallet, more power to em. I've got an algorithm breaker here. Somewhere there is some 20 something nerd feverishly writing code trying to break me, screaming at a screen "WTF this guy can't be real, this HAS to be multiple people using the same phone, and a few of them are of questionable intelligence" :D
 
djberta said:
Every app that you put on your phone is tracking you. Turning off the settings for one set does not stop them all. Hell some apps are free to use so they can track you then sell the data. It’s a trillion dollar business now. Basically if it’s digital it’s tracked. Just an fyi you can buy data from companies that can be targetted. Anyone can buy the data it’s just a matter of money. What’s really disturbing is that they are all listening to you. Hence some of the examples from other posts. Wanna test it, if you don’t have small kids or grandkids. You and the wife say baby food 5 times in conversation. You’ll start seeing the ads.
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True so very true.

I should have clarified, this technique only turns off googel based targeted ads and the microphone use by googel ads.

Remember, every corporation is structurally and inherently psychopathic. They're abuse your privacy and rights without limit if they feel that they can get away with it, or profit from the abuse greater than any penalties
 
Mcgyver said:
I pine for the blackberry days. Did everything, all the apps came with it, tactile keypad, no ads and afaik no spying.
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Oh lord would I love a tactile keyboard. I swapped phones a couple of months ago, got a better camera, but smaller keyboard so I can't type squat any more, my fingers are too fat and immobile
 
TorontoBuilder said:
Oh lord would I love a tactile keyboard. I swapped phones a couple of months ago, got a better camera, but smaller keyboard so I can't type squat any more, my fingers are too fat and immobile
Click to expand...

I use Swiftkey addon keyboard. You can change the size and floorspace and add tactile. I use my android for everything. I rarely use a PC anymore.

Swiftkey is so good that Microsoft bought it. Talk about a direct connect to my mind.... FK! But i also use Windows so it can't really get worse.
 
When i first noticed was maybe 8 yrs ago now?
I was walking in the door of my metal shop, casually picked up the phone to check something and there was an ad for a milwaukee table saw.
I did not search for one. I did not say the word to anyone. I thought about a table saw and 30 sec. later there was the ad. I stopped dead in my tracks I was freaked out
 
Don't use maps? Waze is almost a necessity for navigating the GTA.

I envy your level of disconnect. I have a friend like that. Barely even uses email or text. I'll text him a simple yes or no question, and he calls me back with the answer. The only technological thing he uses is a GPS golf app lol. No social media presence and next to no internet usage aside from sports following. Solid guy though. We've been friends since we were four, and if I texted him at 3am and said come over and bring a shovel, he'd call back and ask square or round nose.
 
A few days ago I was on my wife to clean up a bit in the bedroom. She cleared and dusted off her dresser tossed out trash and put things away. We always have a few spare pillows sitting on a chair.

What turns up? An Ikea ad that says "time to de clutter?" A picture of a tall dresser and 3 pillows sitting on a chair never saw an ad like that before.
This happens every day. Most times not a word is spoken orca web search is done. Only a thought
Its freaky as F***k
Anyone else have examples?
 
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