[387] in Privacy_Forum
[ PRIVACY Forum ] Debunking Google Android Conspiracy Theories
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (privacy@vortex.com)
Tue Sep 30 17:26:48 2008
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Date: Tue, 30 Sep 2008 14:03:25 -0700
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Debunking Google Android Conspiracy Theories
http://lauren.vortex.com/archive/000437.html
Greetings. Since I've lately written enthusiastically about
Google's Android cell phone OS, and also expressed enthusiasm for
the first Android phone (HTC's G1 T-Mobile "Dream" -- with a proviso
regarding the inability of an unlocked G1 to operate in 3G mode on
AT&T's network), I've received a lot of responses.
Many of these were technical questions that I'm not yet in a
position to address. I haven't yet touched a physical G1 -- the
Android SDK program development environment is very well designed
but obviously can't substitute completely for the actual
instrumentality of the device itself. Some replies were arguments
regarding why the G1 won't support AT&T 3G
( http://lauren.vortex.com/archive/000434.html ). I consider this to
be largely a marketing decision by HTC/T-Mobile -- other observers
are free to have their own opinions of course.
But of particular note was the flurry of (cue the theremin!) Android
Conspiracy Theory (ACT) messages that I received, mostly of the
"Android is just another facet of Google's plans for global
domination and control through a Google World Order (GWO). Into the
valley of crazies we go again.
Admittedly, I can't help but be amused by some of this nonsense.
Android is a wide open and open source platform. Unlike some
vendors, like -- uh -- Apple with the iPhone, anyone will be able to
write and distribute Android applications based completely on the
free SDK. Again unlike Apple, there is no central control over
Android applications distribution, so ridiculous situations like
Apple refusing to allow a third-party podcasting application to be
distributed for the iPhone -- ostensibly because it "duplicates"
existing phone functionality -- will not occur (what kind of wacko
reasoning is behind this kind of Apple control freak attitude? The
mind boggles.)
The Android security architecture
( http://code.google.com/android/devel/security.html ) appears to be
extremely well thought out, including all of the aspects that are of
most concern from a privacy standpoint. Applications are signed by
developers, but self-signed certificates are both acceptable and
typical -- a model that is very much in sync with my own preference
for self-signed certs whenever possible
( http://lauren.vortex.com/archive/000339.html ).
I have seen absolutely nothing to suggest that Google will have any
kind of "back door" into Android users' phone data. Obviously if
you use Google applications (Search, Gmail, Maps, etc.) you'll be
generating data and log entries similar to those that you would when
using those services from any other device.
But to those of you who have suggested that Android is Google's
attempt to record every phone number that you dial and even monitor
your phone calls ... well ... I file such conspiracy theories in the
same plastic-lined waste container also reserved for tales of alien
abductions and chupacabra sightings.
And if that's not enough to convince you, there's one other point to
remember. The cellular carriers -- in the case of the G1 typically
T-Mobile for now -- are required by law to provide various degrees
of protection for customer usage (e.g. called number) data -- albeit
not the high level of protection from government snooping that many
persons would prefer to see in place these days. Google's providing
their Android OS for the G1 doesn't change any of T-Mobile's
obligations in this regard.
Android is going to be a Very Big Deal -- a textbook example of a
technology game changer. Its open applications development and
distribution model will likely relegate the current iPhone
methodology to laughable status in short order. I expect to see a
veritable flood of Android applications of every conceivable sort
(some likely by my own hand).
As far as I can determine right now, Google has simply done
Android right.
--Lauren--
Lauren Weinstein
lauren@vortex.com or lauren@pfir.org
Tel: +1 (818) 225-2800
http://www.pfir.org/lauren
Co-Founder, PFIR
- People For Internet Responsibility - http://www.pfir.org
Co-Founder, NNSquad
- Network Neutrality Squad - http://www.nnsquad.org
Founder, PRIVACY Forum - http://www.vortex.com
Member, ACM Committee on Computers and Public Policy
Lauren's Blog: http://lauren.vortex.com
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