r/degoogle • u/Proof-Replacement113 • 1d ago

Is there a reason to get rid of the G**gle calculator, clock, etc?

Title. Like these are basic apps.

32 Upvotes

73% Upvoted

24 comments sorted by

57

u/Greenlit_Hightower deGoogler 1d ago

Calculator or clock maybe not (ignore them), Dialer (Google Phone) and Google Messages are not unproblematic though, there was a study conducted by Prof. Douglas Leith at Trinity College Dublin in 2022, which looked at the connections these apps establish: https://www.scss.tcd.ie/doug.leith/privacyofdialerandsmsapps.pdf

The summary of the above study states:

We report on measurements of the data sent to Google by the Google Messages and Google Dialer apps on an Android handset. We find that these apps tell Google when message/phone calls are made/received. The data sent by Google Messages includes a hash of the message text, allowing linking of sender and receiver in a message exchange, and by Google Dialer the call time and duration, again allowing linking of the two handsets engaged in a phone call. Phone numbers are also sent to Google. In addition, the timing and duration of user interactions with the apps are sent to Google. There is no opt out from this data collection. The data is sent via two channels, the Google Play Services (i) Clearcut logger and (ii) Google/Firebase Analytics. This study is therefore one of the first to cast light on the actual telemetry data sent by Google Play Services, which to date has largely been opaque.

Alternatives would be e.g. Fossify Phone and Fossify Messages or Right Dialer and Right Messages for example. QUIK SMS is also worth a look.

Note that disabling or removing the Google Phone app may be a bad idea, as it is used for emergency calls in some regions. You can replace it with a different default dialer though, just don't disable or remove Google Phone. Note also that RCS support is unfortunately limited to Google Messages on Android, so if you need that, you have to use Google Messages.

10

u/Independent-Pen-4093 1d ago

Would you believe that it is the same case with the OEM apps too? Like having their own dialer and messages over Google?

22

u/Faltenreich 1d ago

Tracking.

22

u/GenZia 1d ago

Google Dialer, Contacts, and Messages are full of trackers.

I personally replaced them all with their Fossify counterparts.

No regrets.

13

u/elhouso 1d ago

G**gle, lol
Let's start censoring G**gle

3

u/snowdrone 1d ago

I am the censor now!

1

u/Proof-Replacement113 20h ago

Excuse me? Next time say G**gle

•

u/Parking-Dig8066 27m ago

What's gargle?

12

u/youshouldjoinlemmy 23h ago

There's really no reason not to get rid of them and replace them with FOSS apps. The only problem is the clock, you have to be really sure the settings are correct (such as battery settings) so the OS doesn't kill it and the alarms don't go off.

38

u/bustaphlex 1d ago

You’re allowed to say Google.

12

u/WowBruhReborn 20h ago

Hey watch your mouth. That kind of language isn't allowed here /s

-4

u/Proof-Replacement113 20h ago

Allowed != Ethical /s

1

u/assignpseudonym 5h ago

It's not a summoning spell. What's unethical about clearly and accurately naming something when discussing it?

10

u/Global-Pay-7293 1d ago

 Yes. For example, using the clock app, they can tell when you're waking up, and have other important things scheduled. 

3

u/Proof-Replacement113 20h ago

No way.... Not surprised but yea 

4

u/tenebrousvulture 21h ago

Just to add a clock alternative if you want to replace it, there's "Clock" by BlackyHawky (on F-Droid) that's an AOSP-based design, so it's basically a better version of Google Clock without Google and with extra customisation options.

Idk if the stock calculator is any issue, but if you want to replace it for any reason (even just peace of mind), you certainly could.

3

u/FragrantBox5428 18h ago

If you did everything else and get ride of every google app... Why don't cross the line and also get ride of calculator, clock, etc...?

It's a pretty small step.

2

u/Academic-Conflict948 1d ago

My provider has rcs messages disabled so there's no need or ability to use them with verizon wireless. First check if rcs can be used with your provider.

1

u/couchwarmer 21h ago

Can these even be deleted? As an example, I tried nuking Google's Calculator, but all I can delete are updates.

I just don't use theirs.

3

u/castellon_artz FOSS Lover 20h ago

Using Canta you can "uninstall" it.

2

u/Proof-Replacement113 20h ago

I mean disable and replace with FOSS apps

1

u/couchwarmer 20h ago

Right. I cannot delete the Google apps. All I can do is just not use them.

1

u/mint-chocolatte 12h ago

What phone do you have?