Database Users

Piracy Crackdown!

Anybody else received this?? I'm assuming this is going out to all members of their forum and thought I would post it here.
Hmmm... I can foresee servers crashing from the massive flow of posts from people crying about all their bricked PPC's.
From: Pocket PC Live! [[email protected]]
ATTN: Piracy users
It has come to our attention that our software has been cracked just like every other software. We take this issues very seriously.
If you are NOT using the pirated version, you can skip this mail to save your time. or if you want to know more about our brains, keep reading..
We are teaming up with many developers to implement a module in our softwares that will cross check our applications for pirated versions in your device. For example: Software1 checks for Software2' pirated version and for exchange software2 checks for software1. If a pirated version has been detected, the module will force the device to Bootloader mode and makes it not to return for ever! We have made it in a way that the module functions in a separate thread and so there will be no slow-ing of device during the check process and the complete check process takes just less than 2 secs benchmarked on a standard 416Mhz Intel Xscale processor. This check might also be skipped as well by the crackers, but they first need to know which application checks for which and unfortunately those details will definitely be kept confidential by us(developers).
SO if you are using pirated versions, delete them before you loose your $400 device on spaing a few 10$. we will not be responsible if the device gets forced to Bootloader and turned to a heavy brick! You cannot even re-flash the device We have taken every step in the module to not disturb the safe versions and detect the pirated versions alone perfectly! Its rather a simple and easy process though.
This technology has been developed by CartyStudios, Inc. and is getting good view and publicity for us among the developer's world. Very soon every software going to implement this modules of exchange check technology. Pirated users, face the end very soon!
*Exchange Check Technology - Copyright CartyStudios Inc. | *Patents pending
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Sounds awesome.
I can't wait to sue them like how Sony was sued over their DRM/CD fiasco that could "crash" a computer.
Ah, it's great to be an American. We'll sue everyone. lol

this is _INSANITY_
No developer in their right mind would do something like that.
1. this is illegal to do.
2. what if the software error occured and someone got into this trouble by mistake in software/ error/ etc
3. people who use pirated software would never buy legitimate copy anyway. so they are immediatelly discounted.
4. one should understand that if developer is ready to destroy someone's property to protect his own copyrighted material, deserves the worst. bottom line is: this is not likely to be the case.

SecureGSM said:
this is _INSANITY_
No developer in their right mind would do something like that.
1. this is illegal to do.
2. what if the software error occured and someone got into this trouble by mistake in software/ error/ etc
3. people who use pirated software would never buy legitimate copy anyway. so they are immediatelly discounted.
4. one should understand that if developer is ready to destroy someone's property to protect his own copyrighted material, deserves the worst. bottom line is: this is not likely to be the case.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Gee, wonder what will become of the world, if everyone starts taking justice into their own hands.

Sounds like a scare tactic.. they would get sued pretty fast. What if it wrongly detects a pirated copy? There was a developer who did something like this before, and he was stopped pretty fast.

Maybe in Europe or America, where most of the people using Original software...but not in Thailand/indonesia/and china , where 70% people still using pirated software.. :
BTW no offense to ppl who are staying there, i just pointing to BSA finding ....
thanks

I think the whole announcement is strange:
1) If you do go to such length to protect your software, why would you want to tell the whole world how you do it. For a good hacker the knowledge that the protection runs in different thread and messes with the device is sufficient to find and crack it, and the fact that different software check each other doesn't matter. (Just another clue what to look for).
2) This would be useless if someone uses only one pirated software. Who will check it?
3) This is next to impossible to implement. To prevent reflashing you need to corrupt the bootloader and this is different for every device. Still, theoretically possible but this is more work than MS puts in to windows protection (and for a 10$ piece of software???)
4) If I were considering buying their product I definitely wouldn't after reading this announcement. What user in their right mind would pay for something that due to an error could kill his device?
No I am not in support of piracy, and I think that anyone who uses cracked software basically makes a choice to risk destruction of his equipment be it from viruses or protection module.
Any way I suspect they dug their own whole with this so if this is true it won't be around for long.

It's impossible they think all this seriously. They will get sued really hard.
See the following three threads on a simlar case:
http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=37285
http://discussion.brighthand.com/showthread.php?t=212006
http://discussion.brighthand.com/showthread.php?t=212067

The degree of piracy protection depends on the amount of work the author puts in or on his intelligence. Resorting to this just shows a lack in one of those areas.

Great, a breakdown handphone is a good excuse to buy another new phone! ;-)
This will get those guys to be sue if their software has bug especially those without warning on their web and during installation (legally the developers must provide warning) especially in Europe & US. They will be sue to their pants drop. The developers will pay a bomb for the protection technology and collect peanuts from their software (as no body will buy) and pay hell of legal fee when sue. Commercially does not sounds good.
Of course piracy is wrong.
I think a better way is to just delete the pirated software used, not the whole PPC software. This will be Win-Win situation and commercially more feasible. Delete the whole PPC software is action same as people who writes Virus, exactly no difference.
A good example is one of my Legal software, which on the web say able to upgrade with the old Code, but unfortunately when my Code is keyed, it still say "Unregistered Version". A quick check via email with their technical support, the same answer that I old version code can be used. Conclusion is I give up the new version and reverse back to my old version.
My 2 cents worth.

I have heard that law enforcement agencies have teamed up with car manufacturers. The built in GPS devices of new cars will autocheck your speed according to TeleAtlas maps and if you exceed the speed limit by more than 10%, the car will selfdestruct. No need to complain about your car being destroyed, because you brought it upon yourself by speeding!
What a bunch of... Don't believe that mail, some jokester is just having a bit of fun, that's all

i think this has just happened due to their software(UTA3) nowadays cracked
it seems like they are trying to make people afraid of

This is bollocks. Carty's software is freely available on IRC.
But every programmer that makes software has to be live to the fact that if it can be run on a CPU, it can be disassembled. If it can be disassembled, it can be reversed.
If any manufacturer warns you that they'll trash your hardware because of piracy, I'll show them the laws of trespass, tort, criminal damage and the various laws enthusiastically enacted across the globe to prevent malicious hacking and criminal damage, even if it is committed by self-appointed vigilante software manufacturers. Patent pending or no.
Class actions a-hoy boys . I'll happily take on your case.
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http://www.boingboing.net/2006/11/22/audio_from_xbox_hack.html
V

Yeah total BS.

I keep hearing "piracy is wrong". I just don't belive that. If I was born eating fruit and living in trees I would knock the next monkey over to get the bannana - I was however born into this high tech world where certain tools and information are just as important. Any person smart enough to obtain what they need should do so, its up to the vendor to either prevent it in code or make the product less attractive to hack because of demos, basic versions or versions with some disabled functionality being freely available.
Even if it is moraly wrong, piracy can't be beat. There are millions of geeks/programmers around the world with too much time on their hands and the desire to hack and share.

lol.. monkeys and bannanas.. ROFL

No Comment!!!
Lol

I assume this message alone could ruin their business seriously. As they started developing on a magician they might found out a way to destroy the bootloader & maybe from some other devices. But why would I want to install software with such a risk of malfunction anyway, if it were true? To hard-reset it when some thief puts in a different sim as mine?
Maybe we find out the truth about this in the near future, but in the mean time I take pity on them

You know, this thread reminded me of an old Russian saying. It is roughly translated like this:
"Locks are for honest people.", meaning there is nothing that can't be cracked / hacked / broken in to.

levenum, very smart sayng

lets get the kernel source

Htc must release the source in a timely matter, not just for us, but all devices out, and future ones coming. The best way to do this imo is not to start a big fire and smoke them out per say, but to go though proper channels. Obviously emailing them is having no effect, 120 days is not timely, I mean in 120 days this device will be outdated technically.
Imo this is the proper channel: http://gpl-violations.org/faq/violation-faq.html
Go there, read their page and then email them. Here is the letter I sent to the. Subject, "htc again, this time the vision" :
"I just wanted to bring to your attention that htc is in violation of the gpl again. As I'm sure your aware from other devices they released, ie desire, they are not releasing kernel source codes in a timely manner. In the case of the desire it has been over 3 months and to my knowledge is still not released, however my complaint today is about the htc vision, known in the usa as the G2. This product was offically released on oct. 6 2010, with no source code available. When contacted about it, they said it will be 90-120 days before its available. Maybe I'm wrong, but as my interpertations of the gpl this is unacceptable. Since the product is commerically available, then surely the source code is, and just being held back purposely.
Thank you for your help!
Keep open source open!"
edit: 4:45 pm est 10-09-10
here is their response:
"We heard you. In fact, we got the message seven times
We have already been in contact with HTC and they have heard the message
loud and clear. I have no idea when it will be fixed though
armijn"

fastludeh22 said:
Htc must release the source in a timely matter, not just for us, but all devices out, and future ones coming. The best way to do this imo is not to start a big fire and smoke them out per say, but to go though proper channels. Obviously emailing them is having no effect, 120 days is not timely, I mean in 120 days this device will be outdated technically.
Imo this is the proper channel: http://gpl-violations.org/faq/violation-faq.html
Go there, read their page and then email them. Here is the letter I sent to the. Subject, "htc again, this time the vision" :
"I just wanted to bring to your attention that htc is in violation of the gpl again. As I'm sure your aware from other devices they released, ie desire, they are not releasing kernel source codes in a timely manner. In the case of the desire it has been over 3 months and to my knowledge is still not released, however my complaint today is about the htc vision, known in the usa as the G2. This product was offically released on oct. 6 2010, with no source code available. When contacted about it, they said it will be 90-120 days before its available. Maybe I'm wrong, but as my interpertations of the gpl this is unacceptable. Since the product is commerically available, then surely the source code is, and just being held back purposely.
Thank you for your help!
Keep open source open!"
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Click to collapse
No offense, but perhaps you should have someone proofread your letter first. There are a number of grammatical errors in there. If you're posting in the boards, people just don't care, but YOU should care if you're sending a letter that is supposed to be accepted as intelligent and factual.
I can't stress this enough. I know a guy that does AMAZING web-design, but never gets hired(without me as an intermediary anyways) because his grammar and spelling is horrible. He miss-spells every other word, uses many words out of context, and rarely uses proper punctuation and capitalization.
This is not a rant and rave, but if you'd like a regulatory entity to take you seriously, it's in your best interest to put your best foot forward and proofread.
Sorry if this comes off as 'complainy', but if you're going to represent a community as a whole, i.e. xda or developers entirely, just do so gracefully.

InGeNeTiCs said:
No offense, but perhaps you should have someone proofread your letter first. There are a number of grammatical errors in there. If you're posting in the boards, people just don't care, but YOU should care if you're sending a letter that is supposed to be accepted as intelligent and factual.
I can't stress this enough. I know a guy that does AMAZING web-design, but never gets hired(without me as an intermediary anyways) because his grammar and spelling is horrible. He miss-spells every other word, uses many words out of context, and rarely uses proper punctuation and capitalization.
This is not a rant and rave, but if you'd like a regulatory entity to take you seriously, it's in your best interest to put your best foot forward and proofread.
Sorry if this comes off as 'complainy', but if you're going to represent a community as a whole, i.e. xda or developers entirely, just do so gracefully.
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Click to collapse
well, you are right. maybe i shouldnt have done it lying in bed from my phone. so do US a favor and send a better one...
when re-reading it, i noticed 1 run on sentence. could you point out the other errors for me so i can improve my writing skills...

Mistakes marked as bold, corrections in parentheses. Also, some word changes made to make it sound like an adult wrote it
I just wanted to bring to your attention that htc is in violation of the gpl again. Formal letters to companies should begin "To Whom It May Concern: As I'm sure your (you're) aware from other devices they have released, ie (i.e.) desire (the Desire), they are not releasing (htc has not been releasing) kernel source codes in a timely manner. In the case of the desire (Desire,) it has been over 3 months (since the device was released) and to my knowledge is still not released, (and, to my knowledge, the kernel remains unreleased.) however my complaint today (However, my complaint today) is about (in regards to) the htc vision (Vision), known in the usa (USA) as the G2. This product was offically (officially) released on oct. 6 2010 (Oct. 6, 2010), with no source code available. When contacted about it (contacted regarding this), they (htc) said (that) it will (would) be 90-120 days before its (the code [or source code] is made) available. Maybe (perhaps) I'm wrong (mistaken), but(,) as my interpertations of the gpl according to my interpretation of GPL,) this is unacceptable. Since the product is commerically available, then surely the source code is, and just being held back purposely. (Horrible closing sentence and "commercially" is misspelled and I believe you meant "purposefully")
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damn, i guess thats why i was always better at math, lol. i should have re-read it before sending it half asleep, but enough with the excuses. i see your point and that does sound better, HOWEVER, guess it was good enough for them, here is their response...
*also thanks to whoever else has sent, or will be sending emails to the proper channels
"We heard you. In fact, we got the message seven times
We have already been in contact with HTC and they have heard the message
loud and clear. I have no idea when it will be fixed though
armijn"

great idea -- sent this (edited and worded in my way, dont give a **** if its grammertikally inkorrect) from 6 gmails 3 yahoos 1 hotmail, one rocketmail, an earthlink, a comcast and a tmo.mail. and my law firm email, and just for hell, I faxed off a few to HTC Tmobile and to Apache on law firm letterhead (basic courtesy of notification) that how pissed i am -- this phone should have been delivered to us with first option after initial boot
"Hello dear customer, would you like to void your warranty right now and proceed to data wipe of our clunky bloaty bull****!!!!"
arrrgh

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i'm sorry,i just had to

Wow...
That's all I really have to say about this thread...
Sent from my HTC Vision

"To whom it may pertain to...
Just purchased a HTC T-mobile G2 aka HTC Vision and have been a avid HTC supporter for quite sometime. Ever since I owned my first HTC device the codenamed blueangel. The fact that HTC would work with the developer community pulled me toward your devices. I can't believe you guys (HTC) would lock down the successor to the device that helped you start the "open" revolution. I know it was most probably T-mobile that made you do it but that is besides the point. Especially since they have blamed you in the press. You have spit it the face of the developer community and shame on you and T-mobile. This protection will be broken I have no doubt of that but the fact that HTC put it there at all is what is in question. Please don't make this a race of protection...hack...protection...hack. OPEN means we should work together not against each other. So please do the right thing and help us either root these devices or give us the kernel source to help us along. Or even better do both of the above and show you respect the dev community like we all thought you did. Below I have included the first post of a stream that will become a torrent against HTC from the XDA devs.
Thanks for your cooperation."
Message I just sent HTC with a copy of the first post here. Don't care about grammar and neither will they if they receive enough complaints. We get enough people involved in this and it gets engadget or another blogs attention then maybe they will listen. This might be our only option considering the thinktank threads have gotten kinda quiet.

We cannot comment on whether or not HTC has blocked any customer from rooting or hacking their phone.
Rooting the phone may open the phone up to virus attacks and other un-secure activities, as well as introduce intended functionality, and as such is very difficult for us to support.
We cannot comment on whether or not HTC, Google, or T-Mobile has blocked any customer from rooting or hacking their phone.
All three companies work very closely to bring you the best experience on the phone possible.
I do understand how important it is to be able to use your device to the best of its capabilities.
We are not withholding the kernel; we are currently working through the legal channels that we must go through to make the kernel available to you. Each product is individually under review.
When the kernel is available, you will be able to find it on developer.htc.com. I apologize for any inconvenience you may have experienced, and thank you for your patience in this matter.
You can contact HTC Technical Support via telephone by calling 866.449.8658 between 6AM – 1AM EST, seven days a week.
To send a reply to this message or let me know I have successfully answered your question log in to our ContactUs site using your email address and your ticket number 10USCW42ENA000115.
Sincerely,
Sarah
HTC
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Click to collapse
That was a quick generic response. boo...hiss...

My reply to HTC
I understand the position of HTC to not comment on the situation at hand even though it has already been outed in the press by T-mobile that HTC did indeed lock the phone. So either you are saying that the T-mobile press release was a hoax and HTC did nothing with write protection or HTC just want's the problem to go away. As far as not wanting us to root because of unsafe activities.... Well I don't even know where to start with that comment. We are all big boys and girls and can handle the effect of our actions. It's like saying Toyota installed a system in my car that will only let a certified technician open the hood because I may insert washer fluid into the engine instead of oil. Most companies would love it if you would void your warranty. Does it not lead to less operating cost for HTC in the long run to not support it's products because the warranties are void? You don't want me to void my warranty then do as the GPS companies do and make a disclaimer that I have to read and agree to before I go any further. Also on the subject of voiding warranties did HTC not say that G2 had 4gb's of internal storage? Yet only 1.2gb are available for use because of this lock? Back to the car analogies. If Ford says your car has 200 horse power in the brochure and (AFTER!!!!) you buy it you learn that only 50 horse power is unlocked you might be a little angry. No? I understand the position of all big companies is to play dumb until something either is forgotten or legal channels make them play smart but I do have to say that I did not expect this out of HTC. This post isn't directed at you Sarah but merely my G2 and thousands of others crippled devices. If you could pass this and my prior message to someone higher up that might at least read it and think it over it would be greatly appreciated.
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Help our Community - stop akaskriller - #NeverAgain Rd. 2 ** 1:30 AM EST

Very important:
Respect the rules of XDA.. post like you thought about it, not out of rage.
I do not want to promote/help this guy.
There is a fine line between this and simply informing people.
I think the latter is worth the risk.
OP was cleaned up since its getting so much attention now
5/17/11 synopsis:
The Android Community rallied. A lot was accomplished. But, we haven't succeeded.
Make Wednesday even better. Tweet, write articles and submit them to sites, post on facebook, just do something.
Site was/is down... but because he took it down for maintenance. Not his ISP shutting him down.
ARTICLES PUBLISHED FROM OUR EFFORTS (And growing....):
UncutAndroid published it first, they tell it how it is and let users speak their mind.
AndoidSPIN Much respect for them too!
Voice Of Android Found me a new site!
RESULTS?!?!
His site is currently down...
Our developers (some who have not been around in a long time) and some who used to feud are ALL working together
and of course the below work...
Thanks to the community and XDA user andyharney we have ("You are" is directed at akaskriller, obviously):
You are in breach of Apache Software License Version 2 & GNU General Public License Version 2.
You are in breach of your AdSense account by hosting copyrighted material, you have been reported
You have been reported to Gameloft for hosting their pirated/warez apps, they have notified their legal dept.
You have been reported to your web host for hosting & distributing pirated/warez apps.
You have been reported to Paypal for profiteering off pirated/warez apps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
WAIT, WHAT'S GOING DOWN?
Recently in one of my guides, a user who apparently did not understand the intent of the thread, starting going off on me that my thread should be deleted... and started singing the praises of AkaSkriller. I thought this guy was a thing of the past. Nope, he has only gotten bigger.
Most people know this guy is a Fraud... he takes the work of our developers (roms, themes, free/paid apps and posts it on his site... behind a $5 donate wall ( $5/month for ACCESS to others work ).
Read some of the below posts where developers have already posted conversations with this guy.... it's sad panda time here.
Not enough, read the lashing he took trying to "apologize" *fake/lying*
Master (Axura ROM) stated that he spoke with AkaSkriller about removing his ROM and he was told he would simply edit the build.prop as to be a different ROM... as if by editing this, it was somehow no longer Master's work!! Since then, there are just more developers supporting this....
This outraged me. I truly respect ALL of our developers, and this is just ONE example of probably 100's where this guy and his site have taken advantage of those in our community who are NOT familiar.
Sooooo........
I propose we do ANOTHER #NeverAgain Twitter campaign where we send out tweets telling people to not use this guys site... we inform people the $5 "donate" for access to files is absurd... and we try and point people to sites like XDA!
A place where we are truly geared to helping our developers/community
(not to make money off noobs).
Here is his site. I only link to it so you can see just how absurd it is. DO NOT give this guy any of your money.
ACTION:
Send out a tweet about it...
Post on your Facebook about it....
Email or send a tweet to other Android sites and ask them to tweet about it....
Sample Tweet (copy and paste if you like):
Sites requiring a donation for access to others work is wrong. Read this: http://goo.gl/l7vSO
I realize some of you think this is crazy/pointless. But it bothers me to have an element like that in a community I really do love.
And yes, I have a "Donate to Me" button. Only because someone volunteered to give me a donation before I had a link.
I've received MAYBE $30... imagine how much I could make on a site like that (near 600 thanks and I am NOT a developer)!
lets play the "I see $5 this many times" game... Maybe just a "thanks button" would work? Nagh, lets make a whole section.
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...

We could also warn new users/subscribers of his YouTube account by posting comments on his profile page/videos: http://www.youtube.com/user/akaskriller
Edit: I found his real name (David Barkley) and his Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/akamilkweed?sk=wall) if anyone wants to go an evil route, use social engineering, etc to screw with him outside of the internet as revenge.

Good stuff. I may need to edit the title. I don't want to HURT him, more just want to prevent people new to Android/unfamiliar to think what he is doing is acceptable.
Posting on social media its a great tool, inc twitter/facebook/youtube, etc
I have asked popular android blogs to write about it today, here is hoping they care about the community as much as I do.

I'm on board, for no other reason than he charges for people to be able to get to his DL section to get his kanged and stolen roms. That, asking for payment, as per the Apache Open Source Licensing agreement that binds all Android OS builds, is absolutely illegal.
Edit - posted to my facebook, I was emailing with an admin on AndroidSpin yesterday, going to email him now and see if he will get this posted on AndroidSpin
Edit - AndroidSpin admin emailed

Here is some of what he has said to me via email in the past.
"you have put my life and my family life in danger" (How exactly would I have done that..?)
"my post have been change and now ill just really right all the roms u post and make them mine"
..and when I asked him to take the pirated apps off of his site he replied.
"sir thos are all app that are in 4share.com so go bug them ok
your mean"
"dude calm down hater"

I m on board I looked around on his website........... he is just copying other people stuff...........
These type of guys .....they are like weeds in my yard. Always popping up.
Remember all the hurt and problems He will now have are a result of his actions not ours.

Master™ said:
Here is some of what he has said to me via email in the past.
"you have put my life and my family life in danger" (How exactly would I have done that..?)
"my post have been change and now ill just really right all the roms u post and make them mine"
..and when I asked him to take the pirated apps off of his site he replied.
"sir thos are all app that are in 4share.com so go bug them ok
your mean"
"dude calm down hater"
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Click to collapse
Whoa, there's a voice I haven't heard in a while. How ya been?

Master™ said:
Here is some of what he has said to me via email in the past.
"you have put my life and my family life in danger" (How exactly would I have done that..?)
"my post have been change and now ill just really right all the roms u post and make them mine"
..and when I asked him to take the pirated apps off of his site he replied.
"sir thos are all app that are in 4share.com so go bug them ok
your mean"
"dude calm down hater"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
He could use some lessons in grammar and syntax as well..........

Youtube account
I posted this message on his Youtube subscription page:
"All this guy does is STEAL other developer's work and put it behind a paywall. Don't believe me? Go to XDA forums and find all these ROMs and support for FREE!!!"
It may get deleted, but if everyone on here does the same, it will warn all the noobs that something is up.

I've reached my Thanks limit.. but truly grateful. I feel with enough social media effort we can really help.
For those not familar, my first #NeverAgain campaign was against Samsung.... shortly after, I received calls from them, they were following me on twitter and VERY soon after Froyo was given to us via kies.
my point? To my surprise, it really did work in my opinion (and others).

oka1 said:
He could use some lessons in grammar and syntax as well..........
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Click to collapse
He does that on purpose. I've also had email conversations with him in the past when the first round of threads started about him. He pretends to not speak very good English. But just have a listen to his video, he seems to speak pretty good English in fact.
He will pretend to be a nice guy. Months ago during our email conversation, I talked him into making an apology thread here, which he did. I told him no one is trying to hurt him, Devs just want their credit.
This is the best thing we can do, just warn any new commers to not go and get robbed $5 a month for his stolen ROMS.

eminembdg said:
He does that on purpose. I've also had email conversations with him in the past when the first round of threads started about him. He pretends to not speak very good English. But just have a listen to his video, he seems to speak pretty good English in fact.
He will pretend to be a nice guy. Months ago during our email conversation, I talked him into making an apology thread here, which he did. I told him no one is trying to hurt him, Devs just want their credit.
This is the best thing we can do, just warn any new commers to not go and get robbed $5 a month for his stolen ROMS.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly... our community is exponentially growing... people will continue to fall for this trap.

s15274n said:
I've reached my Thanks limit.. but truly grateful. I feel with enough social media effort we can really help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I hope so, this guy, who blatantly ignores the Licensing laws, seriously gets me out of my ZenDroid, and makes me /rage. I think if we can make this a big enough issue, something may be done by people more powerful than us, like Google who actually releases the software under the Apache Licensing terms. I know thats thinking on a grand scale, but its obvious this guy won't listen to us.

s15274n said:
I've reached my Thanks limit.. but truly grateful. I feel with enough social media effort we can really help.
For those not familar, my first #NeverAgain campaign was against Samsung.... shortly after, I received calls from them, they were following me on twitter and VERY soon after Froyo was given to us via kies.
my point? To my surprise, it really did work in my opinion (and others).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes it does and thank you for the catch and noticing this bad behavior so we all could help arresting it.
.....

I just submitted this to UncutAndroid:
I love Android. I love the Community.
Since my G1 days I have slowly evolved from total noob, to someone who helps answer questions daily on XDA, writing instructional guides, and now testing the waters in app development and theming. The reason I have progressed is the kindness of the community. Every themer/developer I have ever contacted has been so incredibly gracious with their time and sharing their talent. I truly respect these people – and you should too.
I say this so bluntly only because it’s that passion that fuels the article.
There are also many bad elements to the Android Community. The most notable in my opinion are the 3rd party paid app sites AND sites like www.akaskriller.com. I want to focus on the latter, but feel the need to point out those 3rd party app sites give you “free” paid apps, but they also give you App Permissions not requested by the original app – they are malicious.
Please do not be a self-inflicted victim over $0.99. You are on this site, you are smarter than that.
Back to my real intent here. For those not familiar, akaskriller is a site that has a nice front – and that is what it is, a front. They appear to be very genuine and caring, they act like they are helping developers, and they act like they want to help the Android noob.
Nothing could be further from the truth. They want money – money for others work.
Sites that offer others work (ROMs & Themes) behind a $5 donate wall (yes, you pay to get access) are wrong people. Not just wrong for those new to Android – those who genuinely need help and do not know better. But more importantly, it is wrong for the developers who work so hard to improve our phones, at no cost to us.
I am no expert on Apache/Licensing but I would have to assume paying/donating $5 for free software is wrong on a larger scale than I know how to address.
Those familiar with the Samsung Vibrant may recall a movement I suggested. It was called “#NeverAgain Samsung.” I proposed a social media blitz where we told Samsung on Twitter, blogs, Facebook and YouTube that we would not continue to buy their products if they would treat the Android Community the way they did – withholding updates and source.
Shortly after the movement started (and it grew FAST), I received calls from Samsung and they were following me on twitter Froyo and source was given to us via Kies. Perhaps due to our combined community efforts.
I am suggesting we have another outcry - an outcry that our community will not tolerate this. Let the community know this is wrong. I will not be formal and say “do this,” but do something.
Tweet about it, post on Facebook… heck, just tell a developer you appreciate them.
Since mentioning the idea of one developer has told me when he requested his ROM be removed from the site, he was told that they would simply change the build.prop so it was a “new ROM.” Taking away the work this developer did and making it their own.
This is wrong. Do something.
I am s15274n on XDA and you can find me on Twitter @CallipH. If you are noob and you want help, ask me and I will tell you if I can help, for free.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

s15274n said:
I just submitted this to UncutAndroid:
I love Android. I love the Community.
Since my G1 days I have slowly evolved from total noob, to someone who helps answer questions daily on XDA, writing instructional guides, and now testing the waters in app development and theming. The reason I have progressed is the kindness of the community. Every themer/developer I have ever contacted has been so incredibly gracious with their time and sharing their talent. I truly respect these people – and you should too.
I say this so bluntly only because it’s that passion that fuels the article.
There are also many bad elements to the Android Community. The most notable in my opinion are the 3rd party paid app sites AND sites like www.akaskriller.com. I want to focus on the latter, but feel the need to point out those 3rd party app sites give you “free” paid apps, but they also give you App Permissions not requested by the original app – they are malicious.
Please do not be a self-inflicted victim over $0.99. You are on this site, you are smarter than that.
Back to my real intent here. For those not familiar, akaskriller is a site that has a nice front – and that is what it is, a front. They appear to be very genuine and caring, they act like they are helping developers, and they act like they want to help the Android noob.
Nothing could be further from the truth. They want money – money for others work.
Sites that offer others work (ROMs & Themes) behind a $5 donate wall (yes, you pay to get access) are wrong people. Not just wrong for those new to Android – those who genuinely need help and do not know better. But more importantly, it is wrong for the developers who work so hard to improve our phones, at no cost to us.
I am no expert on Apache/Licensing but I would have to assume paying/donating $5 for free software is wrong on a larger scale than I know how to address.
Those familiar with the Samsung Vibrant may recall a movement I suggested. It was called “#NeverAgain Samsung.” I proposed a social media blitz where we told Samsung on Twitter, blogs, Facebook and YouTube that we would not continue to buy their products if they would treat the Android Community the way they did – withholding updates and source.
Shortly after the movement started (and it grew FAST), I received calls from Samsung and they were following me on twitter Froyo and source was given to us via Kies. Perhaps due to our combined community efforts.
I am suggesting we have another outcry - an outcry that our community will not tolerate this. Let the community know this is wrong. I will not be formal and say “do this,” but do something.
Tweet about it, post on Facebook… heck, just tell a developer you appreciate them.
Since mentioning the idea of one developer has told me when he requested his ROM be removed from the site, he was told that they would simply change the build.prop so it was a “new ROM.” Taking away the work this developer did and making it their own.
This is wrong. Do something.
I am s15274n on XDA and you can find me on Twitter @CallipH. If you are noob and you want help, ask me and I will tell you if I can help, for free.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Very well said. I would urge you to submit that as an article to AndroidSpin as well. I haven't had the time to type up anything as eloquent as the way you put it.

I put a post about this on the edt site. Helping out in anyway I can. I would blow him up with social network sites, but I don't belong to any.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA Premium App

Br1cK'd said:
Very well said. I would urge you to submit that as an article to AndroidSpin as well. I haven't had the time to type up anything as eloquent as the way you put it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ahh, I hit them up on twitter but I just submitted the article to them as well. Good call, they are very good to the Vibrant forums.
^ Thanks for posting on EDT man!!

Thank you all for informing us of this situation. It really makes me mad to see someone take what someone else has worked so hard on, and try and make it there "own". I really appreciate all the hard work our dev's do, and donate and pay for apps.
Have posted on Twitter.
thanks again for the information!

I didn't realize AkaSkriller was such a great themer!

Motorola Failure to Meet Update Commitments; Petition.

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As many owners of Motorola's Atrix, Atrix HD, Moto E and other models know all too well...
- Motorola has not maintained an organized or regular update cycle for their devices.
- Motorola has repeatedly broken vague promises and hard commitments to update devices.
- This includes cases where the updates were promised on the Motorola website.
- This includes a case where the update was released with details posted on-line but was not actually delivered to the devices stated.
- There has been an instance where an OTA that was a 5.0.x update was displayed as 5.1.x when being installed.
- Some of the affected devices are not service provider branded (just Moto) so Motorola cannot blame the SP as they have in the past.
Picking up on an idea considered when Motorola backed out of their commitment to update the Atrix HD to Lollipop last year, an on-line petition has been created to let Motorola know this is not right. It is focused on the Moto E but is crafted so it can be signed by anyone who has been betrayed by Motorola's failed update commitments or want to see a better way of handling updates. If there is any resolution as a result of this petition, it is unlikely to extend far but we can still let them know about it.
https://www.change.org/p/motorola-f...utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=copylink
Of course feel free to share details about pertinent experiences here in this thread but if you want Motorola to hear it, sign the petition and share the link to it. Also, For the Moto E you can make it known here at the Moto thread where details about the Moto E update are posted https://forums.motorola.com/posts/83391de77a?page=1.
Motorola once was, and should still be, capable of better than this!
------------------------------------
Nov 1, 2016, Greetings:
Motorola. Has finally updated most of the Moto E line to Android Marshmallow. Even some of the devices thought to be left off the update list (such as US retail single sim XT1511) eventually got Marshmallow, although sadly only after many boot-loaders were unlocked. Also, this Change.org petition for Moto E has been automatically closed (naturally expired), which was timely because it serves no purpose anymore, so I'll leave it expired and will ask to have this thread closed. I thank all who participated with signatures or in spirit. It was small in scope but every little bit helps.
One last thing: Although Moto E has been updated, Motorola has not mended it's poor updating ways and have done something similar (even worse by many measures) to yet another device, the Moto G3. There is a petition for that described in this thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/2015...sprey-t3476321 which I encourage all affected to sign.

You should probably post this in AF also, if you've not already dine so.
Sent from my XT1526 using Tapatalk

starkly_raving said:
You should probably post this in AF also, if you've not already dine so.
Sent from my XT1526 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you mean Android Forums, I've dug up some links to old posts of mine there (or was it Android Central, I don't recall) but they did not seem like good spots for this. Still, it's a good idea. I should be able to find a suitable place at other forums, and am open to specific recommendations. Also, everyone should feel free to share the link to the petition.

Signed and shared.

IronTechmonkey said:
If you mean Android Forums, I've dug up some links to old posts of mine there (or was it Android Central, I don't recall) but they did not seem like good spots for this. Still, it's a good idea. I should be able to find a suitable place at other forums, and am open to specific recommendations. Also, everyone should feel free to share the link to the petition.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe post on Reddit too? The Android community is pretty big there.

Signed!

Ace42 said:
Maybe post on Reddit too? The Android community is pretty big there.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Another good idea. Thanks!

I think you guys shouldnt give a penny to motorola instead of moaning to let them hear your voice. Motorola simply doesnt give the smallest damn about this kind of petitions. Tried and didnt work for numerous times. Dont buy motorola, dont let anyone around you buy motorolas, that is what motorola deserves for their customer relations, marketing and update lies.
Sent from my Nexus 6 using XDA Free mobile app

Semseddin said:
I think you guys shouldnt give a penny to motorola instead of moaning to let them hear your voice. Motorola simply doesnt give the smallest damn about this kind of petitions. Tried and didnt work for numerous times. Dont buy motorola, dont let anyone around you buy motorolas, that is what motorola deserves for their customer relations, marketing and update lies.
Sent from my Nexus 6 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Boycott is not a bad idea either but that sort of action may actually be harder to organize than efforts like a petition. Have you ever organized a boycott or a petition about this subject? The action of withholding dollars, and the action of creating a petition are not mutually exclusive. Unfortunately many of us already posses these devices and do not have the option to redirect money to a different device at this point but would still like to do something about it. There are no guarantees, but this type of pressure has been made to work before. For me personally, having first used Motorola gear in the form of gray brick shaped walkie talkies and under-dash radios in the 1980s, and since then always being impressed with whatever Motorola device I encountered across a wide range of hardware types; wanting to see Moto do better is part of this. Also, please do note that discouraging the petition and calling it "moaning" in the very thread where it is shared may not go over well.

I miss IDEN.

nobreak1970 said:
I miss IDEN.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What am I missing here?
[EDIT] Oh, I see. You're going old school as well. Nice.

IronTechmonkey said:
Boycott is not a bad idea either but that sort of action may actually be harder to organize than efforts like a petition. Have you ever organized a boycott or a petition about this subject? The action of withholding dollars, and the action of creating a petition are not mutually exclusive. Unfortunately many of us already posses these devices and do not have the option to redirect money to a different device at this point but would still like to do something about it. There are no guarantees, but this type of pressure has been made to work before. For me personally, having first used Motorola gear in the form of gray brick shaped walkie talkies and under-dash radios in the 1980s, and since then always being impressed with whatever Motorola device I encountered across a wide range of hardware types; wanting to see Moto do better is part of this. Also, please do note that discouraging the petition and calling it "moaning" in the very thread where it is shared may not go over well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I haven't organized a petition like this before but participated for atrix 4g ics update and xt910 bootloader unlock petitions back in time, the electronic signs were counted by nearly 10k and motorola didnt give the smallest damn about those, just igroned us. I am not here to discourage anyone but i posted just to say dont bother your precious time to tame a liar company in a friendly manner, not worth it. They dont listen to their customers at all. I also like motorola hardware and that is where it ends for me, everything else in motorola just have the stinkny worst smell of all. Their marketing, service team, software team are all the worst but they used to have good engineers, not sure if they still have them looking at their 2015 portfolio can be called at best pathetic.
Hope you guys get the updates you deserve for your devices though. Just dont buy anything else branded motorola in future, this will teach them better how to behave as a responsible company when they dont see money flowing into their vault.
Sent from my Nexus 6 using XDA Free mobile app

Semseddin said:
.....electronic signs were counted by nearly 10k...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
10k? To believe that number I would have to have see proof, including the specific details and target/recipient of the petition.
Semseddin said:
. .. I am not here to discourage anyone but i posted just to say dont bother your precious time...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Within one 18 word statement you contradict yourself. If you don't like the food being served then don't pull up to the table. Perhaps you could vent by creating an anti petition petition that discourages people from signing petitions, but whatever you do please take it elsewhere.

Not really surprised by this sadly.

IronTechmonkey said:
10k? To believe that number I would have to have see proof, including the specific details and target/recipient of the petition.
Within one 18 word statement you contradict yourself. If you don't like the food being served then don't pull up to the table. Perhaps you could vent by creating an anti petition petition that discourages people from signing petitions, but whatever you do please take it elsewhere.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Whatever, live your dream. Here is your numbers. Operation mosh, signed by 16k
https://www.change.org/p/motorola-mobility-inc-unlock-all-smartphone-bootloaders-2
Supportmymoto, no numbers but way above 10k supporters and real media support in a pro way.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=32363139#post32363139
Now, you got ur numbers. Those petitions were for phones in premium range above 400$. Motorola just ignored them. You believe motorola would give a damn about your 50$ phone? Good luck with your dreams.
Sent from my Nexus 6 using XDA Free mobile app

Semseddin said:
...Operation mosh, signed by 16k https://www.change.org/p/motorola-mobility-inc-unlock-all-smartphone-bootloaders-2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Impressive that they got 16k and I agree with it in principal but that is a request to unlock bootloader, against which Motorola (and other device manufacturers) are well insulated legally. The same is not necessarily the case for provably failed published commitments to provide a product or service.
Semseddin said:
Supportmymoto, no numbers but way above 10k supporters and real media support in a pro way.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=32363139#post32363139
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A well presented case with good coverage but again, it is for getting an unlocked bootloader which is a steeper uphill battle.
Semseddin said:
....Good luck with your dreams....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for the warm wishes, and for the details of the other actions, which I did find informative, helpful, and actually encouraging (although I still have modest hopes).

i am impressed the poll has 80 / 100 right now cool !
I wouldn't have had to rip my hair out today trying to install v5.1 onto my Moto-E if they update with my oem (Telus)
It sucks because i just wanted to run the stock rom
I got it installed but no matter what i tried i couldn't get the provider connection back for calls/txt's
What a drag too ..i swear it started up and ran fast than 5.0.2 (what i went back to)
Thank god i made a TWRP backup before meddling with things..
So hell yeah i voted
edit:
It's totally stupid they only updated *some of the oem's with 5.1
that is a massive slap in the face to those of us who missed out on v5.1 Lollipop !

I won't buy Motorola any more

Just a bit of an update. The petition now has 120 signatures which tells me that people must be sharing the link. Thanks to everyone who has signed and circulated it! I don't know what that really means in terms of the ability to exert some commercial pressure on Motorola but it does indicate that there are many people impacted by this, especially when you consider that there are likely large #s of people using the affected devices who don't participate in forums like this.
When I first gathered contact information for the petition, Motorola Customer Service provided an email address for the CEO that turned out to be incorrect. Fortunately I had others and sent a test email to see which would be rejected as invalid before creating the petition. Considering that experience, I've started searching outside the Moto support track for names and contact information for all of the Moto executives and departments that I can find to widen the target.
Thanks again to all who've signed, circulated, and provided constructive input.
[EDIT] Shared by user hyzteric at the Moto "excuse making forum" https://forums.motorola.com/posts/83391de77a?commentId=1000234#1000234 is news that the Mote E is still being sold which is really low.
http://www.androidcentral.com/motorola-either-update-moto-e-or-stop-selling-it
I already knew this but had not considered the ramifications. They are still sticking it to new purchasers of those devices. Lower than low!

Semseddin said:
.....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Soooo, although we differ on the merits of a petition we are in the same boat (betrayed by Moto) even if we may disagree on how to navigate it, and I must thank you for the details of the actions to which you referred. While hunting down email addresses of Moto's executives I also found the addresses from one of those previous actions. Between the ones I found that were not on that list and the ones from that list we now have a wider target for the petition.
Seriously - Thanks!
One thing I hope we have going for us this time is that it was/is not illegal for Motorola to decline to share their source code, but what they did this time might actually be illegal or at least actionable in a commercial sense.

IS the dashboard hijacking our texts?

I downloaded the app "Servicely" and it can disable services and apps to prolong your battery and what not, well i opened it up to take a look and i was going through each apps running services.. Not all mind you as there are a ton but i was scrolling down through OnePlus 6T dashboard app and one of the services was ".mms.SmsHijackerService" .
This of course grabbed my attention. Does anybody know what this is and is a lot more Innocent then what it looks like? I also read something earlier tonight about One plus does steal info behind users backs...not sure if it was a BS article or if out had some truth to it ( sure everything has truth to it) . So after reading that then seeing this i was like WTF. Are my texts being hijacked and sent to them. There was a few other ones with names that at least if they are what i think they are, they hid the name better. I have a screen shot here not sure if i
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am uploaded it right as its my first time. Any help to put my mind at ease. I am headed to bed and i will look more into it in a few hours Thanks!

That's interesting -.- I have no words hopefully oneplus ain't hijacking our text messages.

I think they need to hijack sms and mms just to display it in the Dashboard. At least I hope so.
Nevermind, I am using a custom ROM.

Ryan Mixed said:
That's interesting -.- I have no words hopefully oneplus ain't hijacking our text messages.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have found nothing online about it. Very strange, i figured if anybody knew it would be someone on here. I am going to keep digging into it.

@Funk Wizard
My good man, got any inside on this?

fogame said:
@Funk Wizard
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You won't hear from him till there's an stable OOS update.

indian84 said:
You won't hear from him till there's an stable OOS update.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol true. He might respond though. He answers my messages.
Hope for the best, expect the worst.

Has anybody else seen this or have it on their device?

Jrod333 said:
Has anybody else seen this or have it on their device?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the same on OOS 9.012

gogoffm said:
I have the same on OOS 9.012
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am on 9.0.11 , so it doesn't go away in an update ha ha not that i thought it would. Seems shady but also why on earth would they name it something that seems shady....... I am going to try to install this sms reader module i read about, it logs all data & sms that leave your phone. Find out if any leave that A) i didn't write & B) go somewhere i didn't send...hopefully the app can tell me that..... if it turns out not , Do you or anybody know of an app that can do that ? I think that would solve all my paranoia that every app i have is sending out my information.

Jrod333 said:
I am on 9.0.11 , so it doesn't go away in an update ha ha not that i thought it would. Seems shady but also why on earth would they name it something that seems shady....... I am going to try to install this sms reader module i read about, it logs all data & sms that leave your phone. Find out if any leave that A) i didn't write & B) go somewhere i didn't send...hopefully the app can tell me that..... if it turns out not , Do you or anybody know of an app that can do that ? I think that would solve all my paranoia that every app i have is sending out my information.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agree, the name is really strange we should wait the reply from the OP guy....

I put an aluminum foil cover on my phone, and it went away...
the paranoia here is impressive...

MarcoLK said:
I think they need to hijack sms and mms just to display it in the Dashboard. At least I hope so.
Nevermind, I am using a custom ROM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does the Dashboard display sms? Maybe I don't understand what the Dashboard is?

wase4711 said:
I put an aluminum foil cover on my phone, and it went away...
the paranoia here is impressive...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmmm... don't want to start drama as I'm sure you didn't intend to, but I'm one of those "paranoid" or conscious as I prefer.
I'm huge on keeping up with geopolitics and some of us should really research the history of China, and I don't mean reading modern, watered-down history literature. China's CCP is the biggest and most vast "Big Brother" in the world except for intelligence in the US/Europe. Not only that, but they are VERY open about the intrusion of privacy amongst it's own people along with the current controversy on China's LONG history of Intellectual Property theft. Read anything re: China's (state owned and funded) Huawei these days (also, notice Huawei's focus on high quality cameras.. eyes everywhere), I will never own anything they produce and I'm sad to say I may be skeptical of this phone now, sadly. And here's a fun-fact.... I'm a Chinese-American, no joke lol
This is very concerning and I think these questions should continue to be asked higher up. I will definitely research this and watch this thread closely.
Please post any finding on it's nature and update us on if we can remove/block the apk. I will do some testing after work.
- Former GE Engineer and Chinese Businessman Charged with Economic Espionage and Theft of GE’s Trade Secrets - An indictment unsealed today charges Xiaoqing Zheng, 56, of Niskayuna, New York, and Zhaoxi Zhang, 47, of Liaoning Province, China, with economic espionage and conspiring to steal General Electric’s (GE’s) trade secrets surrounding turbine technologies, knowing
- The future of the smartphone camera is here, it’s not Apple and it’s disturbing - "Mashable’s Stan Schroeder snapped this picture that, while grainy, gives a sense of the potential spy-power of the phone’s camera."
- Chinese Infiltration in US Reaches ‘Extreme’ Levels - "There are a minimum of 50,000 Chinese Communist Party (CCP) spies at U.S. companies, government agencies, and U.S. military."
- China Infiltration Into U.S. Education System - "Chinese government has infiltrated nearly every sector of the U.S. education system via a package of programs and monetary schemes that seek to indoctrinate American children and bring the Communist government’s propaganda into the classroom, according to a new report by a Senate investigatory body."
- Why Chinese Steel is Unsafe For Your Next Steel Building Project - Weak steel flooded into the market by the Chinese creates weak infrastructure and military components in rival countries... along with destroying the steel market itself.
Edit: After some initial research, OnePlus is a little more distant than Huawei when it comes to state relations.. but keep in mind that China announced last year a new law that "requires cloud services offered to Chinese citizens be operated by Chinese companies and that the data be stored in China". Why do you think that is....? NEVER EVER EVER trust ANYONE/ANYTHING that says they're from/with the government and that they are there to help you. REEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
This is a tech/dev forum, so I'll stop here to stay on that topic. But please... understand that there's always a threat to your freedom, it's up to the masses to protect it from the >1% of those working tirelessly to take it.
WWG1WGA!!!

that's fine, and being "conscious" is always appropriate in dealing with all things internet..
however, it always makes me chuckle how so many folks are super paranoid of their privacy being invaded, yet they spend half their lives on faceschnook, tweeter, Snapchat, "the gram" and on and on, plus, as I am sure you already know that once you have an email account, an internet plan, a cell phone, a credit card, a car payment, what ever, you can pretty much kiss any semblance of personal privacy goodbye..

wase4711 said:
I put an aluminum foil cover on my phone, and it went away...
the paranoia here is impressive...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Every time I do that it really messes my Wi-Fi signal up...

If you use Chinese aluminum foil, it some how works...

wase4711 said:
that's fine, and being "conscious" is always appropriate in dealing with all things internet..
however, it always makes me chuckle how so many folks are super paranoid of their privacy being invaded, yet they spend half their lives on faceschnook, tweeter, Snapchat, "the gram" and on and on, plus, as I am sure you already know that once you have an email account, an internet plan, a cell phone, a credit card, a car payment, what ever, you can pretty much kiss any semblance of personal privacy goodbye..
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You are giving alot assumptions (? ) about me when you don't even know me. I don't have half those things you listed and if I did or if anybody did that automatically takes their right to privacy away? I will always be concerned with that and as I do agree you can't stop it all as everything you have is tied to you in some digital public way, it does not mean we should just give up... That's your choice not mine. But let's get back to the original topic... As this is what this site is for. If you want to argue the topics hipocricy and all that good stuff (because I gladly will) we can do that else where.

I never made ONE SINGLE assumption about you, so no pity party for you..
and, you said I "gave up"..where EXACTLY did I say that?
you cant make stuff up to fit your narrative dude, so dont try..
even XDA hides tracking cookies on your devices, so deal with it..
and, please show me where it says we have a "right" to privacy...

..Cory.. said:
Hmmm... don't want to start drama as I'm sure you didn't intend to, but I'm one of those "paranoid" or conscious as I prefer.
I'm huge on keeping up with geopolitics and some of us should really research the history of China, and I don't mean reading modern, watered-down history literature. China's CCP is the biggest and most vast "Big Brother" in the world except for intelligence in the US/Europe. Not only that, but they are VERY open about the intrusion of privacy amongst it's own people along with the current controversy on China's LONG history of Intellectual Property theft. Read anything re: China's (state owned and funded) Huawei these days (also, notice Huawei's focus on high quality cameras.. eyes everywhere), I will never own anything they produce and I'm sad to say I may be skeptical of this phone now, sadly. And here's a fun-fact.... I'm a Chinese-American, no joke lol
This is very concerning and I think these questions should continue to be asked higher up. I will definitely research this and watch this thread closely.
Please post any finding on it's nature and update us on if we can remove/block the apk. I will do some testing after work.
- Chinese Infiltration in US Reaches ‘Extreme’ Levels - "There are a minimum of 50,000 Chinese Communist Party (CCP) spies at U.S. companies, government agencies, and U.S. military."
- China Infiltration Into U.S. Education System - "Chinese government has infiltrated nearly every sector of the U.S. education system via a package of programs and monetary schemes that seek to indoctrinate American children and bring the Communist government’s propaganda into the classroom, according to a new report by a Senate investigatory body."
- Why Chinese Steel is Unsafe For Your Next Steel Building Project - Weak steel flooded into the market by the Chinese creates weak infrastructure and military components in rival countries... along with destroying the steel market itself.
Edit: After some initial research, OnePlus is a little more distant than Huawei when it comes to state relations.. but keep in mind that China announced last year a new law that "requires cloud services offered to Chinese citizens be operated by Chinese companies and that the data be stored in China". Why do you think that is....? NEVER EVER EVER trust ANYONE/ANYTHING that says they're from/with the government and that they are there to help you. REEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
This is a tech/dev forum, so I'll stop here to stay on that topic. But please... understand that there's always a threat to your freedom, it's up to the masses to protect it from the >1% of those working tirelessly to take it.
WWG1WGA!!!
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I will keep researching as it has peaked my curiosity. By the way I agree with you. As I can't take it as far as not owning anything made in China as I find that impossible I do limit it where ever I can. And Mr. Tinfoil hat isn't entirely wrong in stating if you have email. Etc then your privacy has been invaded, if everybody read and understood the fine print in every app alone they download, I bet they would think twice. Google freaking owns us and everything we create... You give it to them the min you agree and download this or that... It's sad really.