Re: What can't you do on Android WITHOUT a Google Account set up in the OS?

On 1/1/2025 6:05 AM, R.Wieser wrote:

Theo,
 

To use a Fitbit, you need a Google account

 Which is a good reason no to use it.
 I could imagine using an open-source or freeware map app in which you can
locally(!) record the path you've walked (and calculate/estimate the total
length of that path) ?
 

   Or people could go back to just taking a walk and stop trying
to document "ptogress" in all things. Tracking steps is about as
pitiful as it gets.
   I have a TracFone with no Google account, APKPure for
apps, something (Netguard?) to give me more control, and
all Google apps removed or disabled. But I accidentally let
it update awhile back and now I get popups telling me the
sky will fall if I don't enable Google this or that. It's really
obnoxious. I'm amazed that these companies are allowed,
legally, to exert such control over a device I paid for.
    But I think Arlen is missing the point, anyway. Cellphone
under surveillance is a lifestyle. If people use apps, gmail,
maps, Waze, dating, Fitbit, DoorDash, Uber, shopping apps....
That's all spyware. Most of it is tracking location. Even just
leaving the cellphone turned on means you're being tracked.
If you care about that then you don't live on a cellphone... It's
a choice. So many people want to know the best method for
maintaining privacy while telling 6 dozen corporations their
every move.