To disable location tracking you need to notice a tiny button at terms of service page or find it at the settings.

Google doesn't even give a warning, let alone asks you whether you really need it. Only then you will see that your data are being uploaded to Google. For example, to learn about sync, you have to go to Settings -> Accounts -> click word 'Google'. Luckily, I mostly use phone as a dictionary and it didn't have any personal information - but if it had, it would be irreversibly copied into the Google Cloud. And enabled sync for everything - including contacts.

Also, Hangouts app added this new Google Account into the phone settings. Of course, I turned all of them off and thought that I am smarter than a typical user that would not even see these checkboxes.įirst, the Hangouts app somehow added this newly created account into all other Google Apps, so Google Play (which I have never used before) has started itself up and said that I need to update several apps (no, I don't) and then Mail App said that I got an email (this boring kind of email they put into your inbox upon registration). But I noticed that there was a small button to show more details, and when I clicked it, the page expanded and I saw checkboxes (lot of them), most checked by default, like 'share my location with Google' or 'record web & app activity'. Then the app displayed a terms of service page with boring legal text. One has to register a Google Account in order to use it, and I had to answer a lot of questions as if I was applying for a visa, including a phone number (of course I used a fake number) and date of birth. Recently I had to install Hangouts app on the Android phone (it was easier than using it on desktop because I don't have the latest Chrome). I would make the advice more general: avoid dealing with Google.

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