4d ago

Google installed Gemini on my devices, disabling Google Assistant and replacing it with Gemini.

A few weeks ago, I explicitly disabled it everywhere I could find within account.google.com and I've not used anything gemini since. Now I get this email and find it enabled on my devices.

By default Gemini has permissions to access everything on screen, view your contacts/messages, and can be used from the lockscreen....

I'm not all that surprised; but I'm still annoyed. Especially with the opt-out of data collection/access after it's been given access to everything.

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34 comments

Come to GrapheneOS where your phone just leaves you the fuck alone and does what you ask of it.
- It's crazy the peace of mind you get from it.
  
  what's the privacy vs pure security info? is GrapheneOS actually keeping our data more private or just making it really hard to get hacked?
  I've been on it for like a week now and love it
  
  Security is the priority, but that does usually give you a good amount of privacy too.
  One example I remember where there was a clash was developing their sandboxed Google Play Services rather than supporting MicroG. I think their reasoning was that sandboxing the Google code makes it much more secure, and even though MicroG is more private from Google it's still a mystery blob with full access to your device and therefore less secure.
  
  It makes the former possible but you still meed to keep up on privacy hygiene. Check out privacyguides.org to help you with that. Privacy is a spectrum, so the trick is finding where you want to be and assesing what you have to sacrifice to do so.
  
  I mean that's complicated. The former is far more in your hands.
- This is the way. I resisted doing a custom ROM based on past experience, but GrapheneOS is absolutely worth it. The day I saw Gemini in the text messaging app is the day I bit the bullet. Wish I did it sooner
- Or any degoogled ROM for that matter
- Can I install on a Samsung? I know computers and their bootloaders/OSs pretty well but phones are mostly a mystery
  
  No its only available on Pixels for security reasons.
  
  What does the pixel have that an S24 doesn't?
  
  Honestly don't know. Something to do with the Tensor chip and monthly and quarterly software updates.
  https://grapheneos.org/faq#future-devices
  
  Unlockable bootloaders and guaranteed security updates for several years (at least, that's the claim).
- I have a Verizon pixel. Enlighten me.
  
  Well for starters there's no Gemini unless you choose to install it on your device.
  Other than that, just general privacy and security improvements. Sandboxed Google Play Services is another big benefit.
  You can check out the website if you want to know more.
  
  😞😞😞
  
  No. Enlighten me on how to install it on my Verizon Pixel. I will wait.
  
  Step 1. Reconsider your chosen birthplace. Choose another location with consumer protection.
  Step 2. Restart your life.
  Step 3. If the restart life option is not available on your plan, contact support. Location transfer options are available but terms and conditions of port outs have changed recently.
  
  I'm pretty sure Verizon locks the bootloader on their phones. I had a S10e and I wasn't able to unlock it.
  It may be the same for you.
  
  Yeah. I'm fucked sadly. I might call and yell at their phone reps. But I doubt it would ever get me anywhere.
  
  Yeah. Uh. Hindsight is 20/20 and all that but don't buy phones from the carrier.

34 comments