Database Users

Android Market bug with using side loaded & 3rd party Market apps

Just wanted to give you all a heads up on what I've recently experienced.
With Google tossing out a handful of apps for $0.10 a day, I jumped on the purchasing bandwagon like many of you. When Fruit Ninja became available at this discounted rate, I attempted to purchase it from the Android Market ("Market").
The problem is that Google has a bug in its' Market; where it may randomly recognize paid applications that were side loaded and/or acquired through 3rd party Market applications, such as Amazon. I had originally obtained Fruit Ninja from Amazon as the FAOTD and had it installed on a previous EC05 rom build. The Market decided to falsely link that app to my Google account as purchased.
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Due to this false link, both the Market app and Market website displayed Fruit Ninja as purchased. However, when I tried to install the application from the Market, I received an error saying that I need to purchase the app. So I'm stuck in an endless loop.
I've contacted the Market app support team and have had this escalated up the chain so they can have this well documented. The initial support contact admitted Google is aware of this bug, but he was unable to do anything as a first level support contact. I figured I'd escalate this issue because had this been a $15 app, like Documents To Go, I would be angry.
Hopefully you all don't run into this annoying Market bug.

I think they (Google) are having problems with Google Wallet/Checkout right now.
I'm getting all sort of broker errors on the web interface and having problems processing payments.

Don't know if it will help, but maybe running market doctor with titanium will help...

saramon said:
Don't know if it will help, but maybe running market doctor with titanium will help...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No it won't sadly. This is something on Google's end. When I hear back from the next level of support, I'll post an update here if any new or updated information is discovered.

stud_muffler said:
I think they (Google) are having problems with Google Wallet/Checkout right now.
I'm getting all sort of broker errors on the web interface and having problems processing payments.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Android Central just confirmed it with a link to the Goggle groups as their source.

stud_muffler said:
Android Central just confirmed it with a link to the Goggle groups as their source.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I believe that may be a completely separate issue from what I mention in this thread, but good looking out.

I can't buy anything today :-( I want game dev story!!!! It just says an error has occcured please try again.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using xda premium

xopher.hunter said:
I can't buy anything today :-( I want game dev story!!!! It just says an error has occcured please try again.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
do you bill to sprint? i was having problems too. i would select payment method "bill to sprint", and then when i go back to the apps market page, i would get "an error has occured".
i called sprint and they asked me to reenter my msl via some ## code, do a profile and prl update and then try again and everything worked just fine. took less than 5 min.

xopher.hunter said:
I can't buy anything today :-( I want game dev story!!!! It just says an error has occcured please try again.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had the same problem. Were you trying to charge it to your sprint account? I solved mine by just trying to buy it like 5 times.

xopher.hunter said:
I can't buy anything today :-( I want game dev story!!!! It just says an error has occcured please try again.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try again. I had that earlier today. Now the purchases are going through.

jasonsf said:
Try again. I had that earlier today. Now the purchases are going through.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same for me and I wasn't billing through Sprint.

Yesss I got through, I didn't even get the option to bill my sprint account but now I'm up to .50 cents over on my bill. Lol
Sent from my SPH-D700 using xda premium

To Nikon and everyone else getting "The download of "[insert app here]" was declined because you haven't purchased it.":
I also downloaded an app from Amazon's Free App of the Day, FlexT9 keyboard (I mostly love it, but it's a little quirky on occasion). Unfortunately, I had the same issues as Nikon, and was stuck on version 1.4.0.0, while the Market version was up to 2.0.0.0. Damn you Amazon, and damn your trickery! (Well, at least it was free! )
I can't remember exactly what I did to fix this problem, but I did overcome it. Here's what I think worked, and some combination of these steps should fix it:
In Titanium Backup find the offending app in the list under the [Backup / Restore] tab
Be sure you have a current backup of the app and its data if you so desire
Long-press the app to bring up the additional menu
Click [Detach from Market]
Click [Open system details...]
Click [Clear Data] and [Clear Cache] -- This may or may not be necessary, I don't remember if this was part of what I did or not
In System Details click [Uninstall...]
Reinstall the app from the Market
???
Thank me and profit! (Well, technically you're paying for the app now, so you'll see a loss from a financial standpoint, but hopefully a gain in features and stability. )*
* I'm gonna feel like a jackass if that isn't quite the right steps, but that's basically what I did and the Market allowed me to purchase and install the latest version of FlexT9.

Thanks for the reminder of the .10$ deal I hadn't been following it, but I just went and got asphalt 6 for 10 cents! XD
Sent from my SPH-D700 using xda premium

Fire n mage said:
Thanks for the reminder of the .10$ deal I hadn't been following it, but I just went and got asphalt 6 for 10 cents! XD
Sent from my SPH-D700 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I got a message saying not compatible when I opened asphalt 6 so I got a refund, good thing I was on wifi
Sent from my Samsung Legen-wait for it-dary! 4g

Pretty stupid that they have this bug, you would think a company like google would know what they were doing.

It may not be a Google-exclusive issue.
This bug comes up for me when I restore an app using Titanium Backup (which by default marks the app installation as having come from the market). The subsequent market link isn't really valid and you get the "..because you haven't purchased it" error message. My workaround thus far has been creating a group named "DetachFromMarket" which I freeze&defrost, resulting in the apps no longer showing up in the Market.
I haven't experienced the apps showing up as "installed" when sideloading them, though I do a LOT of backing up and restoring. The only way around this for me what the wipe/uninstall dance posted above, then quickly buy/install the app using the old version of the Market right before it auto-updates.
Further, Amazon's App Store has the same fundamental issue. Buy and install an app through the Android Market, and the Amazon App Store will likely start triggering update alerts for it (for the same damn version, no less).

Im running into this as well, any fix would be nice!

AmericanJedi001 said:
To Nikon and everyone else getting "The download of "[insert app here]" was declined because you haven't purchased it.":
I also downloaded an app from Amazon's Free App of the Day, FlexT9 keyboard (I mostly love it, but it's a little quirky on occasion). Unfortunately, I had the same issues as Nikon, and was stuck on version 1.4.0.0, while the Market version was up to 2.0.0.0. Damn you Amazon, and damn your trickery! (Well, at least it was free! )
I can't remember exactly what I did to fix this problem, but I did overcome it. Here's what I think worked, and some combination of these steps should fix it:
In Titanium Backup find the offending app in the list under the [Backup / Restore] tab
Be sure you have a current backup of the app and its data if you so desire
Long-press the app to bring up the additional menu
Click [Detach from Market]
Click [Open system details...]
Click [Clear Data] and [Clear Cache] -- This may or may not be necessary, I don't remember if this was part of what I did or not
In System Details click [Uninstall...]
Reinstall the app from the Market
???
Thank me and profit! (Well, technically you're paying for the app now, so you'll see a loss from a financial standpoint, but hopefully a gain in features and stability. )*
* I'm gonna feel like a jackass if that isn't quite the right steps, but that's basically what I did and the Market allowed me to purchase and install the latest version of FlexT9.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For some reason when I tried your steps it doesn't seem to work for me... I have been trying to get Slideit keyboard with no luck

Follow up on the original issue this thread was about, rather than the derailed topic.
My support ticket has been pushed to an "engineer", but it is a confirmed bug with acquiring an application through side loading and 3rd party market applications. The support contact I talked to said it could be 1 of 2 things:
1. A particular application leaving bread crumbs on the device after uninstalling that the Google Market still picks up; or,
2. Just a bug associated with non-Google Market installs.
After reinstalling Fruit Ninja from Amazon, I tried using MyBackup Pro's market link breaker and it says it successfully removed the Market link, but nothing changed on Google's end. I'm at the point where I think it's an issue that Google needs to sort out.

(App-Discussion) Not Available For People With Root (Think It's Fair?)

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Ok going to start this thread as today we see are first game available on Google's Play Store (Chaos Rings by Square Enix) become "This game cannot be played on rooted devices"
What does this mean for us Root users, Custom Rom users, Modders, Themer's and so on. Will we ever be able to play new games or run apps on our device's without losing are right to an open product?
Example Questions to start us off =
What is your thought's on this matter?
Are company's right to leave us out to protect there products for piracy?
Will this catch on?
Would you give up Root for a certain app you wanted?

The question is, how long will it takes until we root user find a root using way to use not-for-rooted-phones apps on rooted phones
Sent from my MT27i using xda app-developers app

IE-coRe said:
The question is, how long will it takes until we root user find a root using way to use not-for-rooted-phones apps on rooted phones
Sent from my MT27i using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lets hope this happens. Not sure if seen away to run Google films/video yet and guess this is the same sort of thing. Love the way that more of the people (like me) that brought this app are rooted (5star rating for people without root =25) and (1star rating for people with root = 33) Ha Ha.

Just temp unroot in SU.
Sent from my R800i using xda app-developers app

MilkyJoePD said:
Just temp unroot in SU.
Sent from my R800i using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does not work all the time and we should not have to anyway, having root is not illegal so why should we be judged for having it. Some of us buy their games/apps so we should be able to play them without having to Mod/Fool them.
PS. Already tried this with this app.

Haven't run in to any app that wouldn't work because of my rooted phone yet. But when I eventually do, I will most likely use some bad language, may even hurt my hand banging it to my desk.

Seriously
I just sent this in an email to [email protected]. Feel free to write your own complaint letter, one letter may fall on deaf ears, but maybe if enough of us let Square Enix know how we feel they'll do something about it? (Well, probably not, but it's worth a try.)
To Squeenix:
"Really? I can't believe this.
I WANT TO GIVE YOU MY $13 to play Chaos Rings, but now you're telling me you don't want my money?
Even though I've rooted my device, I pirate nothing, and am happy to pay developers for their hard work, but not when the developer INTENTIONALLY BLOCKS 20% OF THEIR USER BASE.
Seriously, what is the point of blocking root users? I'm not going to give up root, what I am going to give up is your games, and you'll be missing out on the revenue you could have had. In fact, by excluding android power users, you're forcing more people to pirate your game than ever before, especially once someone figures out how to hack your apk to make it work on root.
Now you look like a-holes, and have a horrible rating on the google play store from all the people who bought your game before you mentioned that it doesn't work on root. Way to go. I miss the good old days when Squaresoft used to be a respectable company that cared about making great games for the people who wanted to play them. Those days are long gone now."

The King of Fighters Android announced the same in its store description but doesn't block to run the game in rooted devices.
Square Enix is free to do it and at least they warning about it before you buy the game, however it's bad news for mobile gaming because denying the freedom to root the phone in the Android plataform is against the users and themselves.

Great fail to lose players/users of the app/game. I'd bet someone will make an patch. It will be same as "unhackable" Kindle Fire.
Sent from my Xperia Play using xda app-developers app

I bought the game because I wanted to support devs who give us more polished games than the usual freemium games you find all over the play store... Sad they see it that way, while you really don't need root to pirate games if you want to (note that I have root and have numerous games i paid for, and none that I pirated). The workaround for this specific game is so lame I can't understand why they thought it would be a good idea to implement (hint: rename your Superuser apk...). It is quite worrying though, and we have to hope that the backlash SE is getting on this will ensure that other devs won't follow the same route using more drastic measures to detect root (say, if chaos rings deleted the obb file when detecting root, I would have given up much more quickly...)
Also I think the email address from the play store is not monitored (got an automatic email back telling me to check their support site instead). I did receive a response back now asking me if my device was rooted... Will answer now and let them know what I / we think
---------- Post added at 07:42 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:40 PM ----------
leetxperia said:
Great fail to lose players/users of the app/game. I'd bet someone will make an patch. It will be same as "unhackable" Kindle Fire.
Sent from my Xperia Play using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just do a quick Google search.. The game is already available without a root check on some forum... Oh and probably without a license check too...

Are they within their rights? Of course they are its their bloody game. Does it make good business sense? There is the real dilemma and i suppose only time will tell. IMHO it doesn't take root, or half a brain for that matter, to find alternative app stores with pirated games on it so I can't really see the justification for it. But at the end of the day to root or not is a choice and this should be one of your considerations when you make that choice.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2

Well here goes... Feel free to copy and paste part of the message if it can help
------
Hi There,
Thanks for the feedback.
My device is indeed rooted, as are the devices from many other customers of Square Enix as is apparent from the numerous negative comments in the play store.
I am not sure whether this is the proper channel to voice my concerns, but I would like to urge SE to reconsider their position on this, as rooting and pirating games are two different activities altogether. Pirate versions of Chaos Rings are actually already available on the net, and these do not require root to run. And while I have always rooted my Android devices, I don't have a single pirated game, that is not the point of rooting.
By excluding rooted users, you are creating a very bad image for your company in the android community (I am sure you will see many articles pop up around the web about this in the coming days), not to mention you are losing customers and money for chaos rings but also many of your future titles.
And that's a shame really, because your titles are in general of much higher quality than many games available on the play store, and there most definitely is a market for them even among rooted users, as was proven recently with the success of final fantasy 3.
I would be thankful if you could forward this message to the relevant recipient, or if you could give me such an address to send it myself.
Thanks,
Ed

It only hurts them. My guess is it is a higher level executive decision or something that the people who made the decision don't even understand what root is. It definitely isn't the same as pirating...not even close.
The game will get hacked regardless which means this only hurts legitimate sales. If people can't buy it the right way they are much more likely to obtain it by other means.
I'd buy the game if i wanted to play it and was allowed but will not have the option now. If i get the itch to play it in the future i will play it regardless of whether square lets me pay them or not.

Wait. So "Not available.." for root users is here because of piracy? Cracked apps can be installed without root huh?
Sent from my Xperia Play using xda app-developers app

Well, they specifically look for the presence of a superuser package, so really, if it's not a very badly informed decision from some out of touch executive to counteract piracy, I have no idea why they would do that. To me, it sounds like "Hey, did you see Netflix tries to detect rooted device to prevent against piracy? Let's do the same for our app, surely it will prevent our games from being pirated!". That's obviously ridiculous and inefficient, especially seeing the way they implemented it. I mean, we know how to root our device, but don't know to hide our superuser app? Really? The fact that the game just crashes without a hint as to what happened is also frankly crap. At least tell me you won't allow me to play because I'm rooted, and let me know how I can get a refund.
I'm a bit torn now... If nobody buys this thing, then the same execs who made that smart decision will say once again that Android sales were poor because of piracy, and it will be ages before we see another title from them. So yeah, cant' really recommend you to buy (although the game itself seems quite good from my 30 minutes of play time), but if you bought it you've got two options:
- You can request a refund from Google (the support person I talked to at Square Enix specifically told me to do that if my device is rooted)
- Try this thread where we discuss a convenient way to hide/unhide superuser app through a script http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1932078 (you might also be able to use some "temp unroot" app, but the one I tried didn't work on my Note)
leetxperia said:
Wait. So "Not available.." for root users is here because of piracy? Cracked apps can be installed without root huh?
Sent from my Xperia Play using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

No question. Its their product and so have every right to apply whatever limitations they want to it. With that said, its the right of the buyer to leave 1 star and refund the payment, should they so wish

Yea they can do whatever they want but if everyone stops buying they're stuff then they'll definitely think twice
Galaxy SIII via XDA premium

I was not going to even buy Chaos Ringss, I'm only sending you this because: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1931778 and I figured I would help them.
So I take it your assuming because we have root it means we're criminals or pirates, I root, but I don't pirate anything, in my opinion all users who know how to root know how to obtain pirated games, I bet there is a cracked Chaos Rings around somewere with root check disabled, etc... Your only encouraging pirating by making rooted users who want this game go else were to get this game.
I don't support pirating, and I do root every device I have, and that isn't because I pirate anything, I root to have more customization options for my Android Device.
Either way you will lose business with this.
Copy and paste if you like.

Yeah of course they have the right. That's what consumerism and free enterprise is all about. But we have the right to read the description and not buy their games, and not buy any of their products because you don't believe in what they're doing. Your wallets will speak louder than anything.
Sent from my ADR6425LVW using xda app-developers app

Well. They wont sell much copies if almost anyone has root.
Sent from my R800i using xda app-developers app

Exynos newly discovered exploit... What to do???

I recently read an article where it was said that a dev of xda figured out an exploit which on rooted phones makes system dumps. This occurs after installing some vague apps.
So my question is i am not rooted do i need to worry about it and arnt there apps available that root the phones without letting a person know. If all that is true what is the next step for noobs like us.
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda app-developers app

No need to worry. As always only install software/apps from trusted sources. As far as I understand Google is scanning the Play Store Apps for exploits. This is just one of many I assume.

Read this for explanation and install this for protection by Chainfire. Problem: camera not working, but read yourself.

Yep, our Note is vulnerable -- so be careful what you are installing. Stick to stuff from main-stream developers, and install only from the Google, Samsung or Amazon markets -- stay away from Warez!

This is what happens when the phones are easily rootable and OS is open source. Security is the only good thing apple users have. Google need to make some seperate private libraries and keep it close source which monitors any root kits on the phone.
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda app-developers app

qazibasit said:
This is what happens when the phones are easily rootable and OS is open source. Security is the only good thing apple users have. Google need to make some seperate private libraries and keep it close source which monitors any root kits on the phone.
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
actually root is not the problem in this issue.
And truth, Android has some more leaks and exploits.
Apple is closed, but that doesnt make it anymore saver. Even without root there were recent outbrakes m8.
If Android was closed, this issue eould have remained secret. Now we have some good people who ring all the alarms because its open.
If Samsung was more open it would have been found earlier, who knows who has been exploiting this for how long, before our guys found it.

qazibasit said:
This is what happens when the phones are easily rootable and OS is open source. Security is the only good thing apple users have. Google need to make some seperate private libraries and keep it close source which monitors any root kits on the phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You obviously haven't the faintest of the faint ideas what you're talking about here.
What does "easily rootable phones" and even more so "open source OS" have to do with vulnerability to malicious exploits?

chasmodo said:
You obviously haven't the faintest of the faint ideas what you're talking about here.
What does "easily rootable phones" and even more so "open source OS" have to do with vulnerability to malicious exploits?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
propensity of exploits being found/developed increases exponentially when systems are rootable/open source.
yet I dont agree that is reason for closed source. In this case Samsung is pretty closed source and here community made it more secure.
Gotta love it

baz77 said:
propensity of exploits being found/developed increases exponentially when systems are rootable/open source.....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yepp because we all know that windows dosent have as much exploits and security holes as linux......
(yupp, im joking)
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda premium

Exynos sources are closed! Samsung didn't release the sources for Exynos CPU's so your proposal is nothing but erratic! Root comes with profits, but of course there are always ways of taking advantage of it for the bad stuff! And believe me, being close sourced like Apple is it doesn't bring any good also!
And iOS is full of exploits and bugs... so being closed source doesn't help either!
This is a failure in programming, not related to closed or open source programs!

May be because the external developers outsmart their own team, if the sources are opened, which will put them in embracing situation.
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda premium

chasmodo said:
You obviously haven't the faintest of the faint ideas what you're talking about here.
What does "easily rootable phones" and even more so "open source OS" have to do with vulnerability to malicious exploits?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
We all know with all the libs open source its easy to mess with the codes and know the weaker shared variables to exploit. Apps can be programmed easily once u know ur target.
Easily rootable as in case getting access to the system files. Ever heard of merged apps??? Its like the old binder thing an app doing something at the front and at the back programmed to root the phone and installing the rootkit. People used this tech on linux based PCs and android is no different.
Lastly i am not saying google to make the whole OS closed, just asking for a few libs containing system data and memory management part. Obviously no one wants to mod it not even the phone vendors.
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda app-developers app

I wont recommend corporate users to use android. Their data and comunication is not at all secure.
Sorry google but many UK authorities already warned u in the past. Now their suspicion and doubt seems right. Ur a part of this data hack campaign.
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda app-developers app

jeriz said:
yepp because we all know that windows dosent have as much exploits and security holes as linux......
(yupp, im joking)
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol, already forgot about windows. The largest amount of users apparrently also contributes to propblahblahblah
This leak btw was kernel level, I think, not fully cpu based.
qazibasit said:
I wont recommend corporate users to use android. Their data and comunication is not at all secure.
Sorry google but many UK authorities already warned u in the past. Now their suspicion and doubt seems right. Ur a part of this data hack campaign.
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1
Apple neither, blackberry with newest sandbox tech is pretty alcatras, as far as I (me noob yeah) can tell

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What was the topic again...lol @ Lord
This one is maybe for you more interesting.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=35601350

Exynos newly discovered exploit... What to do???
There's no point in doing anything, is there?
The end of the world is coming in a couple of days anyway, isn't it?

Just discovered that my phone can be stolen while carrying it around. Will have to leave it at home in the interest of security.
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda premium

Educate yourself.
Sent from my SGH-T889 using xda premium

chasmodo said:
Exynos newly discovered exploit... What to do???
There's no point in doing anything, is there?
The end of the world is coming in a couple of days anyway, isn't it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This just made my day chas.

Sick of Google

I'm sick of Google. I'm stripping all apps out.
What are the best non Google to replace them with?
I've got rid of Google market for another but should be able to get anything.
Tnx.
Sent by reversed alian technology.

Get an iPhone.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk

dont flash gapps, or just install the ones you want, i always remove google services i dont need.

scream4cheese said:
Get an iPhone.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This.
To OP: You own a GOOGLE Nexus 4. What did you expect from it? And good luck getting rid of Google on your phone. Let's see how functional it is with 3rd party apps.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app

You're sick of a cohesive integrated service platform that's given to you100 percent free of charge?
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app

A truely great Google app is the 'play store' app, so you can download replacements for the rest of the Google apps

scream4cheese said:
Get an iPhone.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And then jailbreak it and get cydia - just to be different

andrew.golby said:
And then jailbreak it and get cydia - just to be different
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think Nova Launcher and a widget can offer more than jailbreaking an iPhone.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app

Go with a windows phone. Best way to get away from Google.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

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Try amazon app store or just google some alternatives.... LOL
http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/android-app-stores/

Weezle
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk

Try out the F-Droid app store.
It has a respectable collection of FOSS applications which might be something you'd want.

I agree, I'm tired of these company looking at what I'm doing ever second of my life. This will be an issue in the future.....There's a method to their madness....they are integrating everything to trap us and people are just following along like good sheep. Smh
And you people making fun are straight morons if ya can't get what the op is saying. "Buy an iPhone" haha haha so funny as well as soooooo original.
As asinine as it may sound, there are some of us who still value our privacy.
Sent from my Venue 8 3830 using xda app-developers app

3dupunk said:
I agree, I'm tired of these company looking at what I'm doing ever second of my life. This will be an issue in the future.....There's a method to their madness....they are integrating everything to trap us and people are just following along like good sheep. Smh
And you people making fun are straight morons if ya can't get what the op is saying. "Buy an iPhone" haha haha so funny as well as soooooo original.
As asinine as it may sound, there are some of us who still value our privacy.
Sent from my Venue 8 3830 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You make a good point here - Google is certainly 'buying' out data and information. They are not in the cell phone making business - rather, they are in the data and analytics business.
Did you think Google was making and selling Nexus devices this cheap just out of the goodness of their own hearts?
A Nexus device is sold at a significant cost reduction that is subsidized by Google for a reason. In today's day and age, if you truly value your privacy, I'd recommend canceling your internet package and surfing the web form your local library. Aside from that, someone is always watching what you're doing - Google or otherwise.

3dupunk said:
I agree, I'm tired of these company looking at what I'm doing ever second of my life. This will be an issue in the future.....There's a method to their madness....they are integrating everything to trap us and people are just following along like good sheep. Smh
And you people making fun are straight morons if ya can't get what the op is saying. "Buy an iPhone" haha haha so funny as well as soooooo original.
As asinine as it may sound, there are some of us who still value our privacy.
Sent from my Venue 8 3830 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well then Toss all all credit cards, all shopping cards, Cancel the internet and dont make phone calls. All of these things do the same thing google does. IT has been happening for years and will continue to happen as long as we allow it. Removing some google apps may help a little but it is nothing in the long run.

Get a notepad and a pen. Have fun living in 1995.

People, stop being mod edit
You can replace Gmail with just the stock email app. No trouble there.
There are third party market apps. Forgot what the name is, but it's decent as long as you stick to the safe apps (aka not the obviously fake Chinese knockoffs)
For calendar, you can keep the stock calendar app.
For maps, your options are rather limited. Most good maps are paid apps, so you need to get them from Google Play. Not sure how you can fix this without resorting to piracy
Use color note to replace keep.

snapper.fishes said:
People, stop being mod edit
You can replace Gmail with just the stock email app. No trouble there.
There are third party market apps. Forgot what the name is, but it's decent as long as you stick to the safe apps (aka not the obviously fake Chinese knockoffs)
For calendar, you can keep the stock calendar app.
For maps, your options are rather limited. Most good maps are paid apps, so you need to get them from Google Play. Not sure how you can fix this without resorting to piracy
Use color note to replace keep.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For appstore, just use Amazon and FDroid.
Actually there are lots of good maps alternative, you just need to spend some money. I use Sygic, it take longer to enter locations and more base on navigation rather than locale discovery, but it's better than Maps when it come to direction, especially outside of USA. CoPilot GPS is also decent.
ColorNotes still use internet, I prefer my offline Memo app from my Samsung Galaxy S, still working on KitKat.

Ichigo said:
I'm so sick of Google watching me as I sleep, or taunting me as I shower.
Leave me alone Google!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Am I the only one that doesn't care if Google or whatever watches me, and tracks me? I mean, there's no harm to it. They know I like Dubstep? So be it!
The good thing is, they use that data to make your user experience a lot better. Like, my youtube home page is full of Dubstep.
I don't have a problem with them knowing everything. I have nothing to hide, and I couldn't care less, as long as they use the info to make my life easier.

gbarayah said:
You make a good point here - Google is certainly 'buying' out data and information. They are not in the cell phone making business - rather, they are in the data and analytics business.
Did you think Google was making and selling Nexus devices this cheap just out of the goodness of their own hearts?
A Nexus device is sold at a significant cost reduction that is subsidized by Google for a reason. In today's day and age, if you truly value your privacy, I'd recommend canceling your internet package and surfing the web form your local library. Aside from that, someone is always watching what you're doing - Google or otherwise.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I need no schooling on Google and its ways, I've written quite a few papers for school on them so I GET WHAT THEY ARE ACTUALLY DOING and that's what scary IMO. I find that people who suggest cutting everything off are morons (not saying you) because what they are really doing is mocking w/e. I shouldn't have to worry about prying eyes is my point.
Z4nd4r said:
Get a notepad and a pen. Have fun living in 1995.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Soooo original, did you come up with that all by your self?
Sent by flying midget

[Tracking Info]Read it and weep, develop and block.

It may be old new for some(couple of months) but most will still find it very interesting
how Google collects(steals..) your data from your device. Some Dev's have already added some attention to this on there rom's.(not all)
But then again, most inflictions come from apps you install and the privileges they come with.
It's all a bigger picture. 1 app, one question. 20 apps, 20 questions.
For instance; the facebook app uses an great deal of privileges you probably are not aware of and don't want to give for what you use it for. facebook may be respectable, but that depends on your point of view.
Additionally, most of your are probably not technically inclined, have no or little experience with android and are not aware what can be done by indexing your kind. In that case, just take it into consideration.
So, read it and weep <here>
Please, if you have something interesting to add concerning privacy on custom rom's, share it here.
If you don't care about your or anyone else's privacy or the fact you may be manipulated in the long run, then please don't rant or insult. Conspiracies do exist!
We just need an clean rom.
ps;
Motorola owned now by Lenovo, so stuff may change.
And everybody wants to work for Google, don't they?

This is not a rant, just an observation.
I's amazing how aggressively Google is going about not letting users have the options they need to protect there privacy.
If you are an first time user(like all those now in India), then they force you to upload all your contacts and information to there servers. No option to opt-out what so ever.
Try to set up your google account, and it immediately starts sending all info to there servers. No opt-out.
Just try to just sync your mail automatically, wont work in KK. Is all data or nothing.
Copy your contact to your own SIM, they won't let you. What's that all about.
Well, that's why the moto g, which obviously is an very good devices, is so 'cheap'. They steal private data and make you think you made the choice. Most didn't make the choice, some think it doesn't matter others 'have nothing to hide'. All just don't see it.
You probably just bought an new phone, hardware with android(Which still is considered opensource.) on.
That's an honest action.
In reality they made it so difficult not to use there services, that there really isn't any other option for most users. And surely not now they changed and closed the system even more with the KK lure on budget devices.
Most new user need to be made aware of privacy. Most notably younger people. By the time they find out about it, there life is already splattered all over the net. Don't use it, they say. Wel try to keep an user away from facebook for a month.
That is the reality these company's play with. And no, it doesn't have to be this way. We just need to fix the apps to add more privacy options.
It's not evolution. It's derailment, just an other road.

ebsbow said:
This is not a rant, just an observation.
I's amazing how aggressively Google is going about not letting users have the options they need to protect there privacy.
If you are an first time user(like all those now in India), then they force you to upload all your contacts and information to there servers. No option to opt-out what so ever.
Try to set up your google account, and it immediately starts sending all info to there servers. No opt-out.
Just try to just sync your mail automatically, wont work in KK. Is all data or nothing.
Copy your contact to your own SIM, they won't let you. What's that all about.
Well, that's why the moto g, which obviously is an very good devices, is so 'cheap'. They steal private data and make you think you made the choice. Most didn't make the choice, some think it doesn't matter others 'have nothing to hide'. All just don't see it.
You probably just bought an new phone, hardware with android(Which still is considered opensource.) on.
That's an honest action.
In reality they made it so difficult not to use there services, that there really isn't any other option for most users. And surely not now they changed and closed the system even more with the KK lure on budget devices.
Most new user need to be made aware of privacy. Most notably younger people. By the time they find out about it, there life is already splattered all over the net. Don't use it, they say. Wel try to keep an user away from facebook for a month.
That is the reality these company's play with. And no, it doesn't have to be this way. We just need to fix the apps to add more privacy options.
It's not evolution. It's derailment, just an other road.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well I could just sync emails with out contacts.. I never used a sim card before 2013 so I had no contacts on it. You can use the device without Google services just unchecked allow unknown sources download different appstores... Get apks from other places. And I am 100% sure your data isn't stolen.. We just choose to ignore the TOS and move on because who has time to read when there is facebooking to do? I bought the moto g over a lumina 521 because I am indoctrinated in Google's bubble. Now that screen is busted think I am going to go to a blackberry or windows phone or iPhone anything else? Nope going to buy a moto x unlock the boot loader, add a custom recovery and root that bad lad and life moves on..if security becomes a real issue I will be sure to complied android from source and strip out the Google stuff..but I am not worried about it.
Sent from Sauwny the TL

Could you elaborate on the 2013 sim line, buddy?
Durteedee said:
... I never used a sim card before 2013 so I had no contacts on it. ...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

I was on CDMA networks before they moved our network to gsm so I never used sim cards so mine never had contacts on it ..ever
Sent from Sauwny the TL

ebsbow said:
Well, that's why the moto g, which obviously is an very good devices, is so 'cheap'.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
EVERY android phone that's bundled with Google apps does this, not just the moto g. Even the expensive galaxy s 5 and the htc one.
Nobody is forcing you to sign into your Google account or even make one. You can even install cyanogemod without these tracking apps and alternative app stores like f-droid.
I'd argue that android is actually one of the best mobile OS for privacy, simply because it is open source and you can choose what you want to install. Try doing that on a windows phone or iPhone. Both those operating systems are closed source and could be doing much worse than you claim the moto g is.
You also claim google gives you no option to choose what to upload to their servers, you're wrong about that too. You can actually choose what to sync to your google account. Just go to settings->google. Don't want your contacts synced? No problem, just uncheck it.
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Sent from my XT1034 using Tapatalk

Maybe you don't understand the psychology about this tactic. But that's ok.
Anyway, the XT1033 I got doesn't offer an check boxes in the account section. XT1033 is the Asia version.
Those check boxes are, normally, standard available on Android. Also in KK, as is the possibility
to edit and store contacts to sim. Which is also not available on the moto g. Instead, they go strait to the
google servers if you make an account, which you need for the play store.
Yes, you can install and custom rom. If you have the knowhow or want to learn. But chances are you will
configure your phone right out of the box first. And you may forget that custom rom's void warranty.
Which is off course a good thing for the manufacturer. So, most don't do it, or don't want it.

Verstuurd vanaf mijn XT1033 met Tapatalk

ebsbow said:
Maybe you don't understand the psychology about this tactic. But that's ok.
Anyway, the XT1033 I got doesn't offer an check boxes in the account section. XT1033 is the Asia version.
Those check boxes are, normally, standard available on Android. Also in KK, as is the possibility
to edit and store contacts to sim. Which is also not available on the moto g. Instead, they go strait to the
google servers if you make an account, which you need for the play store.
Yes, you can install and custom rom. If you have the knowhow or want to learn. But chances are you will
configure your phone right out of the box first. And you may forget that custom rom's void warranty.
Which is off course a good thing for the manufacturer. So, most don't do it, or don't want it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you sure the check boxes aren't there? You have to touch your email after you go to Google account, so its actually settings->google>your email address.
Why does editing and storing contacts on the sim even matter? The year is 2014, you have a smartphone. You don't need a sim card to store contacts. you can store them on your phones storage without syncing them to Google servers. But if you insist on using the sim card, there are 3rd party apps you can download just for that purpose. That's the beauty of android.
Honestly it sounds to me like you're just uninformed from reading one old article.
Sent from my XT1034 using Tapatalk

Current state
Verstuurd vanaf mijn XT1033 met Tapatalk

Btw; been using android from the beginning and also use other phones and devices.
so yeah, they need to be on 'my' sim card.
Verstuurd vanaf mijn XT1033 met Tapatalk

It's just NSA bull**** that's on every mobile phone in the US. Nothing new here.
Sent from my XT1028 using xda app-developers app

It takes some work to maintain privacy online these days, be it on Android or anywhere else. Caring about that and not knowing, for example, how to install a custom Android ROM, simply doesn't go together. However, there's differences in what data is collected and how it's used. I don't mind giving data to Google because, well, it's a trade-off. I like their services.
Still, not offering to opt-out of it is simple bullying and a -1 for Google in this case.

This is the reason I am looking forward to install Cyanogenmod!

Im asian, using the XT1033 n the tick box is here to choose what u want to share..

Removing the motorola Blur service with some apk manager does the job for me, no trace to be found on my device. This doesn't mean that Google doesn't send some data anyways btw!

No moto blur service on mine, but lot's of other stuff is poking around. All pieces of the puzzel, I guess.
Verstuurd vanaf mijn XT1033 met Tapatalk

For those who don't know, the MAC address/number is hard-coded in the hardware of your phone.
There is no legitimate reason why this number should change after an software update has been applied.
Can anyone confirm that using this(or other) rom has not changed the MAC on his/her phone?

Other fine addition to data stealing.
Look for the folder: .faceRectImg (yes, hidden folder)
edit: some may say you or anyone made these with an contact manager. I can tell you
without any doubt that is not the case. These are made with face recognition software from
pictures on your drive or from other locations. You may or may not have this folder, but at
one point you will have.
Please don't whine about the nsa doing there work. Android phone are global, and there are other laws and habits in other country's. And no body really likes an spy.(except may be 007..)