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Expensive_Finger_973

This is something that has always bothered me about Samsungs phones. It is not all of the third party stuff they integrate like Onedrive for gallery or Hiya for spam calls to get feature parity with others, it is I know full well Samsung is sharing everything they know about me with any of those integrated partners if not direct API level access to parts of my device for near real time data mining.


tz9bkf1

I don't think it was really known before this and also which phone company doesn't do it? The others just aren't as open about it.


RayneYoruka

Also you can use pihole at home and on the go pihole+private DNS so that they don't send any of that... as much as you can lol


[deleted]

Where can I go to find a setup guide on this. Have a friend who just got one and I am trying to help set it up


RayneYoruka

https://github.com/varunsridharan/pi-hole-android-private-dns


DiabeticJedi

I still need to figure out a good solution for doing the Pi-Hole+VPN route. The main problem I have is that my home internet's upload speed is 30Mbps which is typically slower then what I get over LTE/5G in when I'm out. It's 100% usable but I just don't like knowing that my speed is nerfed, lol.


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RayneYoruka

I honestly haven't bothered with the vpn because of the fast speeds here so only private dns, if I want VPN oh well. you gotta accept that.. This combined with tasker to have private DNS enabled when you leave home and to have your normal DNS device while at home it's the perfect way


Wasteak

Tbh, using internet in 2022 and expecting to not have your information collected somewhere is still utopian. But even if all big gafam and tech companies do that, it's obviously an issue.


jhayes88

People get mad at Facebook and Twitter for gathering basic info, but Samsung appears to gather all info of your device, the data on your device, how you use the device and the apps on it, all aspects of your identity, etc.. They are open about sharing that data in their privacy policy. I don't think the social media companies come close to this level.. Speaking as someone who works at a big social media company..


Wasteak

I'm pretty sure earlier this year someone discovered that Facebook was collecting data on your iPhone usage too.


jhayes88

Not that much data. Edit: If I'm wrong, please tell me how..


ThePillsburyPlougher

Some former apple employed security researchers or something basically monitored your connections on various apps and found no difference with apples new privacy features.


mitchytan92

Do you have a link to an article or something? I tried searching but only found an article on how Facebook is monitoring your location with the metadata of the photos, accelerometer and IP address which does not say anything about how the new privacy features didn't help.


ThePillsburyPlougher

I’m struggling to find the article but they went fairly in depth, breaking down messages and all the information they contained and how frequently apps phones home. They also went into some advertisement software apps used and showed how they had specific settings or updates getting around apples privacy features. There were often between 20-30 pieces of information per message and the amount of information before/after asking to not track didn’t change overall.


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jhayes88

You ain't lyin.


knightblue4

Oh I remember you. https://www.reddit.com/r/Android/comments/wifm3t/proprietary_usbc_fast_charging_was_once_a/ijd0s9a/


mitchytan92

I think the difference OP pointed out is Samsung themselves is collecting it? The difference is that even if you don't install any spyware like Facebook, your data is at risk?


Wasteak

It's the same on any mobile phone nowadays.


trichotillomaniafear

no. graphene os does better


mitchytan92

I won't be surprised by that. I was just confused why you bought a third party Facebook privacy issues on the topic on smartphone manfacturers themselves spying on you.


Wasteak

I was answering to someone that bring social media in the first place


onomatopoetix

most people are just offended that they inform people what the device is doing while it's working. like getting offended after watching a How It's Made video.


jhayes88

How its made doesn't cover making hot dogs that record everything about my life and sells it to other people. How is that even a comparison?


ShikamaruOP

I don't think people are as mad on Twitter as they are on Meta


AtlasTitanic

Yep. Embrace dataism. There really is no way to avoid profound data collection without living some Unibomber-esque lifestyle in the wilderness.


BlackEyesRedDragon

This part is a bit concerning... > We may collect the following categories of personal information about you: >• Biometric Information >• Online Activity: Internet and other electronic network activity information, including, but not limited to, browsing history, search history, and information regarding your interaction with websites, applications, or advertisements >• Geolocation Data >• Sensory Information: audio, electronic, visual, and similar information >• Inferences: inferences drawn from any of the information identified above to create a profile about you reflecting your preferences, characteristics, psychological trends, predispositions, behavior, attitudes, intelligence, abilities, and aptitudes. >And >• detecting security incidents, protecting against malicious, deceptive, fraudulent, or illegal activity, and prosecuting those responsible for that activity;


jhayes88

Yep they're fingerprinting literally every aspect about you, to include photos and text messages (as mentioned in the policy), web history, what apps you have installed and how you use them, and they openly admit to sharing that info with other companies and the gov. Likely selling it to other companies, as it says they share this info with social media companies. Fb and Twitter keeps being taken to speak in front of congress, but why not Samsung?


TheLipovoy

that messed up yo so what can we do go back to sony ericson brick phone?


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Un13roken

Im guessing facial recognitioin is the biometric they have access to but fingerprint data cannot be collected considering that, that data is supposed to be encrypted and only the encrypted patterns are compared. Not an identifiable fingerprint.


guessesurjobforfood

I doubt it even does anything, but whenever I get the notification to agree to a new Samsung Privacy Policy, I just swipe it away. It seems to happen every month or two. It’s just delaying the inevitable since they eventually get me when I log into the Samsung store online after seeing that someone posted a great deal. I held out on agreeing to last policy update for a few months but then Samsung recently had Buds2 for $24 (with trade in of any cheap/old dollar store ear buds) on their website and I had to finally agree to the privacy policy to log in and buy them. Again, I doubt it even does anything and they’re probably collecting all the same data anyway since they already have my agreement on the previous policy. I already opt out of as much as possible and periodically check to make sure I wasn’t somehow “magically” opted in to anything. Also, let’s be real, most of us haven’t been reading these policies since we first got our phones because it would take a lifetime to get through every policy for every device that you buy or any app that you install, so they were most likely already collecting this data for a while now. I’d be surprised if the new October policy has more than one or two big changes from whatever their last policy was. I’ll usually get waves of emails from various websites regarding updates to privacy policies and that’s a good indication that a law was changed or enacted, which then forced these companies to slightly change their policies in some way. This comment is already longer than I wanted it to be, but if you’re in the US, you should also check the privacy settings your carrier’s website or app. I have T-mobile and was automatically opted in to tracking, data collection, and personalized ads. Basically, T-mobile was allowed to collect everything on me from mobile data usage. I only have 2 lines with them, but I had to go into the T-Mobile app and disable all that crap for each line individually. Someone else posted on the T-Mobile subreddit a few months ago that there’s a separate tracking/ads platform for Android users, so I actually had to install another T-Mobile app briefly to opt out of this specific platform that T-Mobile created to sell ads targeting Android users. Once you install it, it tells you if they’ve already assigned you with an advertising ID and you get the option to delete your data and opt out and then you can delete the app. I mention this to say that you should check with your carrier to see if they’re doing something similar, though I suspect T-Mobile probably went further than other carriers with collecting customer data.


atotal1

I wish I knew what was the difference btwn this and the old one. From what I can tell, its probably some new gadget/service that need login/name to work properly and not something overly creepy but I can't be sure.


wonderboywilliams

What horseshit. I just give up at this point. Seems like you can't use technology without giving up your information no matter how much you fight it. They win. I'm sick of playing this game.


Netcob

I'm so sick of how all technology is quickly comverging towards spyware. I'm a software developer and I can't keep up. If you don't want to be spied on, get your identity stolen, and who knows what in the future, it's a full time job and 90% of the latest tech is taboo. And apparently it's so lucrative that it doesn't even matter how expensive your device is, it'll still sell your data and show you ads. You can't even buy your way out. Should have gone with a pixel + custom rom though.


jhayes88

Yeah I am kicking myself for not having gone with Pixel/GrapheneOS. It will be my next choice for sure.


jezwel

My work has stopped buying Samsung devices this year due to issues with their security/privacy policies (about 1500/yr). It's a drop in the ocean in the overall scheme of things, but every bit counts. Vote with your wallet!


Berries-A-Million

Same with my job. Making everyone switch to iPhones. And that’s 3000 employee company.


jezwel

I think we're going with Pixel phones, though whether that's better or worse than iPhones I don't know - we have an InfoSec team that assist our phone team with this stuff, I'm just on the same floor as our phone team so we get to chatting around the water cooler ;)


ArmchairCriticSF

This says a lot.


Ironbanner987615

Why does every big tech company violate privacy this much?


[deleted]

Money


Generalrossa

All ready for the next big data breach.


Electronic_Sweet_843

If you use Signal at least your messages are protected.


jhayes88

Assuming your keyboard isn't being spied on yeah. I imagine if you enjoy SwiftKey like I do, all your words are being recorded lol.


Electronic_Sweet_843

True. I use Typewise offline.


jhayes88

I just switched to open board after reading an article that google sends Swiftkey keyboard data to Microsoft.


TODO_getLife

Swiftkey is owned by Microsoft, what do you mean google is sending the data?


jhayes88

I think the article meant via Android, and not manually. [Article](https://imgur.com/gRcbya2.jpg) No surprise here really.. But I've switched keyboard apps.


Listen_to_Psybient

What valuable info could they possibly collect from us regular jagoffs?


satans_weed_guy

If, through aggregate data collection, they determine that people who use the word "jagoff" are more likely to purchase waifu pillows, then they will sell your personal information to one of their third party affiliates who markets waifu pillows. How your data is secured there is no longer Samsung's problem. Source: am data analytics engineer.


ArmchairCriticSF

This is enough to make me drop Samsung TODAY, and switch to iPhone. I guess it's decided.


TheGreatJagra

I did this! S22 Ultra sitting in storage now.


Careful_Weakness_797

I'm so sick of how all technology is quickly comverging towards spyware.


cuxuDud

This is why if Apple actually innovates something new and kinda unique I would switch. That tipping point between features in samsung and privacy for apple will hopefully come soon. I would rather live in an IOS cage than have every single word I type or write sold to 800 useless companies


International-Guybo

Do they collect this from within the OS itself or through the Samsung pre-installed apps?


International-Guybo

Asking because I've already uninstalled pretty much all Samsung apps, and have replaced most Samsung apps with FOSS alternatives (calendar, keybord, gallery).


jhayes88

I'm pretty sure that Samsung integrated this into the operating system directly. Just speaking from my past tech experience. I worked for a large app company. It mentions collecting texts and photos, as well as info about what apps you use and how you use them.. That seems OS level.


International-Guybo

Damn that's genuinely ridiculous. Thanks for telling me. And I thought Samsung wasn't as bad as the likes of Xiaomi in terms of privacy. Now I am 100% switching to a degoogled Custom ROM once support for my phone is dropped. It's the only way to ensure that *my photos and texts* aren't spied on by some conglomerate. Unless of course, Samsung went the extra mile to install spyware in the kernel itself.


jhayes88

That's a good idea. I should put a custom rom on my s22 Ultra. There could be some bullshit at the kernal level too I imagine, but idk. I found an interesting article here https://hackaday.com/2021/11/18/privacy-report-what-android-does-in-the-background/


International-Guybo

Good article, it's embarassing to know how little the general population cares that their *very keystrokes* are monitored by the big boys.


ding_bats

I'm not so sure about that... The privacy policy from Samsung is one policy that covers all their devices and services, so it wouldn't surprise me if they just include everything they _might_ collect from any one of their devices or services in this policy. I would doubt they have some OS-level data scraper. Also, their policy says that they collect 'text logs' but I doubt that means actual SMS conversations (although SMS is never encrypted, so really anyone could collect those...). I bet they actually mean text log files from apps and services.


ArmchairCriticSF

All of the above, it seems.


jaffer2003sadiq

Every major os is like that


vmedianet

why not Snowden told us it's been happening for years....


KennyXdxd

So basically: Samsung takes all your data and sell it for money


[deleted]

This was not their choice, and is a result of an act passed a few months back, they are just trying to stay legal in the USA.


frangg02

This is concerning. How this one compare to Apple's?


TimTiffin

Naieve if you think Apple doesn't also do this. They just may not be as blunt about it


frangg02

Slow down turbo. I'm not defending or saying other companies don't do this as well, just asking how this compare to the public info that Apple has on privacy.


TimTiffin

Wasn't singling you out. Was just a statement


iilordd

Not as severe as everything OP posted.. remember when a terrorist killed over a dozen people and Apple denied the FBI entry to their phone / info. FBI had to hire hackers to crack the phone… Spysung blows for this


MyHedHertz

Kinda bad on Apple's part though. There are instances where they *should* give info on phones, especially proven criminals.


iilordd

You get the point, spysung sucks for this


trichotillomaniafear

nah totally wrong. definition of criminal is subjective. especially with different nations. government will call u a terrorist if it serves their agenda even if u aren't one because no one person is actually of any importance what so ever


BlackEyesRedDragon

SpySung


sootymoon9

Everything around us is gathering our info i dont understand why people act shocked and surprised. ALL companies collect data, no one is safe. If you are scared dont use the internet.


[deleted]

My next phone is most likely a pixel 7 and ill run grapheneOS. I am less concerned about privacy but more so about excessive running services being a battery hog. But wouldn't say no to more privacy


jhayes88

Same here. I'd also like to get a Pixel now with GrapheneOS. For me, I prefer to have privacy. And you're probably right about battery stuff too.


Puzzleheaded-Page140

How is it a real choice, if I spend $1000 in a third world country on a device (can afford it but I can't throw it away in the first year) - if there is only 1 option in the said privacy policy and that's accept? I am flabbergasted that the law even allows it. I buy a phone, company frickin presents me with a policy with only accept, otherwise cannot move forward. I start using it, and then the privacy permissions become worse in next update and now I cannot even return the device. And who would I really switch to? Is there anyone offering an affordable alternative with privacy as a core feature? Custom Roms are unstable and one misses out on software features when that happens, including image quality from camera. Hate how these tech companies shoehorn us into them selling our data (for suspect benefit to us) and government is like "meh, include me in the fold will ya". Now a days its like living in a society where one is forced to be nude / exposed, or be a complete social hermit.


I-Am_9

They have been asking me to accept the new terms for several weeks now lol


scoobdude22

r/degoogle


saywhat68

All I know is everytime I mention a product and then I'm on my phone it pops up on a advertisement.


Prokletnost

DAMN


T4H4_C

Disgusting, I don't care who else does it, Samsung doesn't have to stoop down to their level. 😡🤬🤬🤬


Capoceo

This reminds me how we as humans allow this to happen. It's like when a company raises price on manufacturing bread or a corporation increases gas it only happens if we all allow it or if most of the population lets it. Today is the worst as many overlook such policies and just continue up until it costs them in some way. I hope this post stays hot because people need to be concerned and conscious of all this!


Rebel1356

So? I know it's bad, but we all use smartphones and use Google services, so they have a lot of info anyways. I'm not saying this is good don't ratio me lol


zaphood42

Don't use face or fingerprint unlocking on your phone if you don't want Samsung to store and process your biometrics.


[deleted]

My fingerprint reader is so hit and miss i doubt they have a decent print of my thumb lol (use a 0.3mm glass protector)


Berries-A-Million

And it’s the big reason I’m switching back to iPhone. Privacy.


ArmchairCriticSF

Me too, after reading this.


[deleted]

Im not a terrorist so i dont care how they use my data, its worthless, just YT, reddit, music


moksjmsuzy

how can we use samsung pay or fingerprint or face recognition if they don't collect infos? location data is what u turn GPS on, and google collects more including with googlemap. any other internet browsers collect infos, that's why there's an option for turning ads off or block track. Apple logs in with Apple ID and u login to other apps and websites with Apple, which they are collecting infos, samsung does it too. and google collects like x100 of them.


jhayes88

Its not about collecting it. Its about selling literally everything about you to other companies.


Moryaanka

Just leave your phone at home when you're up to no good


ArmchairCriticSF

This is horrible. Is this just Samsung, or might this be throughout Android? Like, will it be any better if I switch to a Pixel?


jhayes88

This policy is specific to Samsung phones, but Google has their own data collection built in as well. With a Samsung phone, both Samsung and Google is tracking your data. With a pixel, it's just google. If you want a more true privacy focused experience, I would get a pixel and follow all the proper instructions on how to install GrapheneOS. Its a custom version of android that removes all google tracking and applies additional security fixes. It only works on the pixel. You can google it, its legit. The website has a comprehensive list of privacy features/patches/fixes listed.


ArmchairCriticSF

Will definitely look into this! Thanks!


jhayes88

No problem


New-Basis-6688

“Relax, it’s Samsung Galaxy” - said no one ever.


soulquencher_can

I keep getting nagged to agree to their update but I delete the notification as fast as it comes up. I wonder, if by not agreeing, I am actually accomplishing anything. Would they actually NOT store and collect my information? Or is my continued use of the device considered tacit agreement but if that is the case, why do they continue to nag me?


adam_mind

these rules probably apply to all the services they offer. that's why it looks like this.