Google has gotten caught spying on its users over and over again, and nothing changes.
It’s sad, but it’s true. Most people don’t know, or they simply don’t care. But that’s because they don’t understand how dangerous this surveillance really is.
I wanted to make this email for one specific reason: to prove that Google is deceptively trying to capture as much information from you as possible.
Let’s take a look at the article: “Google’s Nest Home Security Devices Had Hidden Microphones”
This article was posted by the Atlantic in 2019. It talks about how consumers were enraged once they found out that Google had been putting microphones in their Nest Security devices without telling them.
It took people TWO YEARS to find out there were microphones in these products. And once people found out, Google made a statement saying that they forgot to mention there was a microphone in every Google Nest.
That seems pretty hard for me to believe.
You might be thinking, “So what if they have a microphone, it’s not like they are actually spying on me right?”
Well, let’s take a look at the article “Google voice search records and keeps conversations people have around their phones – but the files can be deleted.”
This article was posted by Independent in 2017. This article talks about how Google has countless recordings of people talking. It even says ‘Just talking is enough to activate the recordings’.
This goes to show how much data they capture and how willing they are to take whatever they can get.
It’s really scary stuff.
So, we’ve established that Google wants to listen to you and records what you are saying, but is that all they want to capture?
This article proves that it’s not: “Google collects Androids users’ locations even when location services are disabled”
This article was posted by Quartz in 2017 and it’s shocking. In the article they reveal that even if you turned off your location services, haven’t used any apps, and haven’t inserted a SIM card; Google is still tracking your location on Android devices.
They do this by communicating with nearby cell towers to zero in on your location and where you go.
This is really scary, and honestly sounds like something from a Sci-Fi movie.
And this is just scratching the surface, the list goes on and on. Whether it is reading your emails, or influencing your search results, Google is truly evil.
I highly recommend that you stop using Google entirely, and that you share this email with your friends and family.
Getting away from Google is a great first step at becoming more private online.
Thank you!
Eric Meder
10 thoughts on “Can you trust Google?”
So, if one is using Gmail, do you have any viable alternatives to it?
Thanks,
Marcela
Yes, there are a lot of great Privacy alternatives for email. Protonmail and Tutanota are good examples, but switching over to them can be a pain if you don’t do it correctly. We cover this in detail in our course Privacy Action Plan.
Joining privacy action plan hoping to learn more and be private as it should be.
Do you have any similar information on Apple, and Amazon? Also WhatsApp seems to be an app to me that gets very little attention but I always understood it to be a surveillance app? Is that correct?
We do not trust Apple or Amazon. Whatsapp is owned by Meta (Facebook), so they definitely are not protecting your data.
Great information!!
Can I have the Geek Squad remove Google from my computer? I know nothing technical but I don’t trust Google (even though I use it; guilty!) . Once it’s gone, which browser do I use? Are there others that should GO, as well? I have only the Microsoft Edge besides Google.
Hi Linda, they might be able to remove the browser. But even if you switch browsers, you need to make sure you are not using it as a Search Engine. On top of that, I would be cautious of what devices you have (including what brand your computer is). We cover this in-depth in our course Privacy Action Plan. That is the best way that you can easily become private and secure online.
How do I take action?
Hi Dexter! I recommend taking our course Privacy Action Plan. We offer step by step bite sized instructions to help you become private and secure online.