Tag: data collection

September 5, 2025
Google Faces $425 Million Verdict in App Data Collection Case
Key Takeaways
1. A federal jury found Google responsible for two out of three claims regarding user privacy in a lawsuit that started in 2020.
2. The lawsuit accused Google of unlawfully collecting data from mobile devices over eight years, contradicting their privacy assurances.
3. Plaintiffs claimed Google continued to gather information even when users opted out of data collection through privacy settings.
4. The jury ordered Google to pay $425 million in damages, significantly less than the $31 billion initially sought by the plaintiffs.
5. Google plans to appeal the ruling, arguing that their privacy tools give users control over their data and that the verdict misinterprets their practices.
A federal jury has determined that Google is responsible for two out of three claims regarding user privacy in a lawsuit that has been ongoing since 2020. This trial occurred in a federal courtroom located in San Francisco, USA, and it accused Google of unlawfully accessing mobile devices to gather data over a span of eight years.
Privacy Assurances in Question
The allegations directly contradicted the privacy guarantees that Google provided through their web and activity settings. The plaintiffs claimed that Google kept collecting their information even when users opted out of data collection.
As reported by Reuters, Google defended itself by stating that the data was “nonpersonal, pseudonymous, and stored in segregated, secured, and encrypted locations.” The company emphasized that the information gathered was not tied to any specific user accounts.
Case Background
The lawsuit was originally filed by Anibal Rodriguez, who expressed that Google continued to gather data despite the assurance that users could opt out via the privacy settings in the “Web and App Activity” area.
According to Courthouse News Service, the plaintiffs’ legal team contended that Google never obtained consent to collect and retain data even when users turned off the web activity settings. They accused the tech giant of misleading users by claiming they had the ability to manage, view, and erase the data collected from their activities.
Damages and Appeal
The jury has mandated that Google pay $425 million in damages to resolve the lawsuit, while the plaintiffs had initially aimed for $31 billion.
A spokesperson for Google, Jose Castaneda, informed Reuters that the company plans to appeal the ruling, asserting that the verdict “misunderstands” how their products “work.”
“Our privacy tools allow people to have control over their data, and when they choose to turn off personalization, we respect that decision,” Castaneda remarked.
Source:
Link

Tags: data collection, google
July 2, 2025
Lenovo and Laptop Brands Misuse Control Centers for Ads
Key Takeaways
1. The Lenovo Legion Pro 5 gaming laptop features a powerful RTX 5070 Ti graphics card and a stunning OLED screen but has some outdated features.
2. Lenovo laptops come with aggressive advertising and pre-installed trial applications, which are not unique to Lenovo but are particularly noticeable.
3. The evolution of control centers, like Lenovo LegionSpace and Lenovo Vantage, allows companies to monitor user behavior while providing performance options.
4. Lenovo’s pre-installed software includes various proprietary and third-party applications, often bombarding users with ads during setup.
5. Data privacy concerns arise from Lenovo’s vague privacy policies, making it unclear what data is collected, leading many users to prefer opting out of data collection and advertisements.
We want to focus on the well-built Lenovo Legion Pro 5 gaming laptop, which we’ve just reviewed. It features one of the fastest RTX 5070 Ti graphics cards in a 16-inch body that we’ve tested so far. We also want to highlight its stunning OLED screen. However, it does have some downsides, like a few outdated features.
Ads on Lenovo Laptops
An issue we’ve been noticing lately, especially when testing Lenovo laptops, are the ads for various products right on the devices. This isn’t something caused by Microsoft Windows, but instead stems from the manufacturers’ own software. These proprietary software applications are becoming more widespread and serve more than just one simple function.
Not Just Lenovo
Lenovo isn’t the only company doing this, but it seems to be especially aggressive with its advertising, pre-installed trial applications, and an increasing amount of proprietary software. Gathering user data and showing ads can create extra profits, which makes it easy to guess that other manufacturers might follow this trend unless regulations come in to protect consumers. The rise of AI is another factor leading to more proprietary software, which can be of varying usefulness.
Evolution of Control Centers
In the past, gaming laptop performance was mainly managed through power settings within Windows. Eventually, companies started creating their own software to provide extra performance options, like silent and turbo modes. This led to the development of control centers, which quickly became necessary for users to get the best out of their gaming laptops. By moving standardized settings into these centers, users now have little choice but to rely on them.
At the same time, these control centers not only give users control but also allow companies to monitor their customers. If everyone uses the software, it becomes a powerful tool for understanding customer behavior. Plus, showing ads can boost revenue, making it a tempting opportunity for businesses.
Lenovo’s Control Centers
On Lenovo laptops, the control center is known as Lenovo LegionSpace (for gaming performance) and Lenovo Vantage (for support and minor settings). When users or reviewers open LegionSpace to adjust performance modes, they are met with a home screen that displays the latest game offers, much like Steam or the Epic Games Store. The difference is that LegionSpace isn’t a game marketplace!
In Vantage, users encounter promotions for security options, warranty extensions, and similar products. They also push surveys, as if Lenovo doesn’t get enough feedback from the data they gather.
Pre-installed Software
Lenovo also provides a range of proprietary and third-party software solutions, all pre-installed. This includes a trial version of McAfee and Lenovo Now. During the initial setup, users are bombarded with ads for services like Amazon (Music), YouTube, Norton, and Fubo.
Data Privacy Concerns
When it comes to data collection, the situation isn’t very clear. Lenovo offers a link to its general privacy policy on its website. Searching specifically for the privacy policies of Lenovo Vantage or LegionSpace only leads to Lenovo’s standard privacy statement. This document details nearly every type of data that Lenovo collects, including information from website visits. Because it covers all of Lenovo’s services, it’s quite lengthy, making it hard for average users to determine what data is collected by LegionSpace or Vantage.
Some users might not mind this situation. Still, if given the choice, many would likely prefer to opt out of data collection and advertisements. Laptop manufacturers are increasingly making this harder. One can only hope that consumers will eventually stand up against excessive advertising and data collection, and if necessary, choose other products that don’t come with so much bloatware. However, proprietary AI software and similar technologies might lead to even more complex data privacy issues in the near future.
Conclusion
In my opinion, Lenovo has crossed the line. Even though the Legion Pro 5 that we reviewed is quite impressive, I would choose other brands if I were buying personally, and I would recommend the same to friends. At least, that is until Lenovo and other manufacturers slow down their marketing strategies and concentrate on customer satisfaction rather than just making more money.
Source:
Link

Tags: data collection
November 27, 2023
Starting December 2023, Google will delete Gmail accounts that remain inactive.
Google to Delete Inactive Gmail Accounts from December 2023
Google has announced its plans to delete inactive Gmail accounts starting from December 1, 2023. This move aims to address the increased vulnerability of older accounts to cyberattacks. Inactive accounts, defined as those that have not been used in the past two years, will be subject to deletion, along with all associated data such as emails, Drive files, Photos, and Contacts.
The Importance of Security Measures
According to internal data from Google, inactive accounts are ten times less likely to have two-factor authentication enabled compared to active accounts. This lack of security measures makes older accounts more susceptible to hacking attempts. By deleting inactive accounts, Google aims to protect user data and reduce the risk of compromise.
Phased Approach to Account Deletion
Not all inactive accounts will be deleted immediately. Google plans to remove accounts gradually, starting in December 2023, in small batches. This approach allows users time to reactivate their accounts if they still wish to use them. However, once an account is deleted, all associated data will be permanently removed, and users will not be able to recover their data.
Tips to Keep Your Account Active
To prevent their accounts from being deleted, users should ensure they sign in to their Gmail accounts at least once every two years. This minimal activity will keep their accounts active and protect them from being removed. In addition to regular sign-ins, users can engage in various activities to maintain account activity, such as using Google Drive, watching YouTube videos, downloading apps from the Google Play Store, performing Google searches, and utilizing Sign-in with Google for third-party apps or services.
Exemption for YouTube Videos
It is important to note that Google currently has no plans to delete inactive accounts that have YouTube videos. If an old unused account is linked to YouTube and has a public video on it, Google will not delete that account despite its inactivity. However, it is possible that the company may update this policy in the future.
To ensure the security of user accounts and data, Google's decision to delete inactive Gmail accounts is a proactive measure. Users are advised to take the necessary steps to keep their accounts active and protect their valuable information.
Tags: data collection, Gmail accounts, Google Cubes
November 22, 2023
How Your Privacy Could Be at Risk: The Truth About Your Favorite Apps
Our smartphones have become essential tools in our daily lives, keeping us connected, entertained, and organized. However, a recent study by The Money Mongers reveals a concerning aspect of smartphone use: many apps are extensively collecting and sharing our personal data. Notably, Meta‘s Threads app tops the list by gathering an astonishing 86% of user data.
Meta’s recently launched platform, Threads tops the list
This widespread data collection isn’t limited to a few apps. The study shows that 76% of apps collect some form of user data, with 51% sharing this information with third parties. From location tracking to accessing contact information, the range of data collected is broad and sometimes intrusive.
Meta’s suite of apps is particularly active in this regard, but the trend crosses various categories, including shopping apps. This raises questions about privacy and the level of control we have over our personal information. Many users remain unaware of the extent to which their data is being used, often for purposes beyond their knowledge.
The implications of such extensive data collection are significant.
It’s not just about receiving targeted ads or personalized content; it’s about a fundamental aspect of our digital lives: privacy. As users, we need to be more aware of the apps we use and the permissions we grant.
The key takeaway here is the need for awareness and caution in our digital choices.
While enjoying the benefits of modern apps, users should also be mindful of the privacy trade-offs and advocate for more transparent and responsible data practices by tech companies.
Source: 1, 2
Tags: data collection, privacy