While Google is good at revealing MS and Apple security flaws, it’s been up to its own version of one of Stuxnet’s modules: Google watches and listens to you – without your knowledge or permission, of course.
If you remember, Stuxnet had a module which could record pictures and conversations covertly while spying (presumptively on hostile governments’ activities) using the person’s computer.
You’ll also remember that there’s an “interactive” doll which could listen in on household conversations (although not specifically designed to do so) and transmit them to the manufacturer’s cloud site “for product improvement”.
Well, now Google’s doing it (audio only) through Chrome, and a module it surreptitiously installed on the browser…and that makes me wonder about the Android OS and all those devices out there…
Rick Falkvinge originally discovered this Google invasion of privacy (see here).
Yesterday, news broke that Google has been stealth downloading audio listeners onto every computer that runs Chrome, and transmits audio data back to Google. Effectively, this means that Google had taken itself the right to listen to every conversation in every room that runs Chrome somewhere, without any kind of consent from the people eavesdropped on. In official statements, Google shrugged off the practice with what amounts to “we can do that”. – Falkvinge
For more, you can read the source, here.
“Google announced that it has since removed the component and emphasized that the feature activation was optional. A Google spokesman told the Guardian this week: “We’re sure you’ll be relieved to learn we’re not listening to your conversations – nor do we want to. We’re simply giving Chrome users the ability to search hands free at their computers by saying “OK Google” while on the Google homepage – and only if they choose to opt in to the feature.” – Times of Israel
“Google announced that it has since removed the component and emphasized that the feature activation was optional.
A Google spokesman told the Guardian this week: “We’re sure you’ll be relieved to learn we’re not listening to your conversations – nor do we want to. We’re simply giving Chrome users the ability to search hands free at their computers by saying “OK Google” while on the Google homepage – and only if they choose to opt in to the feature.” – Times of Israel
Yeah. I’m sure. The fact they did it without announcing it makes any ‘removal’ (like anyone would really know if it were removed?) a matter of “catch up”. Also, if it was removed, why would the computer (Israeli blogger in Melbourne’s) behave as it did?
Well, just so you know. I wonder if I can disable it…or if disabling it actually does so?
Wouldn't it be nice if Google actually told the truth? Wouldn't it be even nicer if this "helper" module could be uninstalled on demand?
From my computer today, despite Google's spokesperson's assurances re having uninstalled it:
No, it's not just you, I dislike Google and have absolutely no trust for it at all. I refuse to use any of it's software and most certainly its search engine.... and its browser is a resource hog so is a complete no no. Yup, Google began this internet data mining and wanting to know the ins and outs of a cat's arse, and with others pretty much following suit, it has a lot to answer for.... particularly now MS has jumped on the same advertising/commercial gain bandwagon.
As for Google listening... and not in a good sense, people, be wary of those people in Google cars milling about snapping photos of shit without consent. If you see a Google guy get out with a drinking glass in his hand, be very, very careful, cos he might be outside listening to everything you say with the glass up against the wall. No, it's not very high tech for one of the most advanced tech companies, but that's the whole idea... when questioned as to why he's on your property with glass in hand: "Oh, could you please spare a glass of water."
Don't believe me? Fine, but if you catch somebody with glass in hand in your yard, just know he/she has a photographic memory and heard everything you said.
I've been looking at ways to ensure that Google does not track but it's pretty trough to do and if you do manage to block update.exe, you can no longer update the Google browser. I could disable it in the group policy editor but that resource is not available in the home version. I really dislike the new Edge browser as it lacks features we have always had such as File, Save As, etc. and according to Microsoft, they have no intention of adding those features back in. I have been messing with Firefox and I've gotten to where it is usable but Firefox will not import the Favorites Bar or any folders there. The only way to get it to function the way I like it is to bookmark every search again which I may do. For those so inclined, there's Tor but I was not thrilled with it and the idea of sharing my computer with a bunch of strangers is not an option. With my luck, they would be terrorists, drug lords or hackers and I don't relish the thought of the FBI on my doorstep. For now, I will keep playing with Firefox until I get it to where if functions well for me.
I've used Firefox for years now and have it set up the way I like. I only occasionally use IE if a page doesn't render well in FF, but that is so rare I can't remember the last time I used it. As for Google's POS browser.... never in a million years on any of my machines.... and I use various blockers to stop Google Analytics and any other Google spyware.
I finally made the move over to Firefox too. It's much more finished that it used to be and I am using DuckDuckGo for search. Life is peaceful and calm without a lot of junk and noise. There are a couple of things I wish we could in Firefox such as renaming or shortening the name in a shortcut but they are not critical. I read some reviews on various browsers and they all think Google is wonderful. But...they only look at speed rather than the blatant privacy issues. Edge came out on the slow side. It did well in one test but was blah in the others. I really dislike the whole interface. There is no way to save or save as a file, etc. Of course, there will probably be apps for that. Then there's Cortana and some people think it's wonderful. I don't see the point in it. By the time I give her a memo I could have typed and saved it. Anyway, I am in Firefox and it is working well.
I have stopped using Firfox due to the fact that it is giving problems when playing adobe flasher player which is required for you tube videos. I find more comfortable using Chrome, as videos are automatically played and also chrome is fast when compared to Firefox. IE, had stopped using long back and it is not in the race of browsers.
Yes, and look at the resources it uses... not to mention 'phoning home to papa' every time you use it... that's for everything you do.
If you're fine with that then okay... but I'm not.
The current release version of Firefox is now my preference after using Pale Moon for at least the last couple of years, maybe 3. FF is now seems faster than PM and handles PDF content flawlessly - PM was having chronic issues with properly displaying/opening PDF's that had gotten really annoying.
FF, Disconnect, Adblock Plus and Flashblock & all is good (I figured out how to enable HTML5 video - not sure why Flashblock blocks it by default).
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