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You're not alone: This email from Google's Gemini team is concerning (www.androidauthority.com)
submitted 1 year ago by to c/technology@lemmy.world
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Google’s Gemini team is apparently sending out emails about an upcoming change to how Gemini interacts with apps on Android devices. The email informs users that, come July 7, 2025, Gemini will be able to “help you use Phone, Messages, WhatsApp, and Utilities on your phone, whether your Gemini Apps Activity is on or off.” Naturally, this has raised some privacy concerns among those who’ve received the email and those using the AI assistant on their Android devices.

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[–] 52 points 1 year ago* (11 children)

I agree it would be concerning if I allowed Gemini access to my phone. Fuck that. This shit is exactly why I am on GrapheneOS.

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  • [–] 11 points 1 year ago (10 children)

    Can you tell me about Graphene?

    I got bank and government ID apps (manditory. Denmark uses MitID for all government related things), but they require things like locked bootloaders and Google security features.

    Would those apps be functional on GrapheneOS?

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  • [–] 12 points 1 year ago

    ew. Tell your government to stop mandating spyware.

    Graphene does let you re-lock the bootloader. IIRC, whether an app works depends on whether they require SafetyNet full, or just basic. I have so far only found one app that refuses to work. However... it looks like MitID was recently updated and no longer works.

    https://gist.github.com/lbschenkel/4199be415f2a139b64688ae74c92a7fc

    Starting on 2024-06-12, MitID have started using Google Play Integrity API during activation. This means that new installations will no longer work in GrapheneOS nor any other non-stock Android, as they are not certified by Google and will not pass the required checks. The app still works (for now) if you managed to get it activated before that date.

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  • [–] 3 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (2 children)

    I can also recommend CalyxOS. Locked bootloaders, open source emulation of all Google's play services (meaning an open source binary running on your phone, filtering requests to Google's servers with absolutely minimal/random info).

    Basically I have anonymized access to the play store, and any apps I install other than Google pay work, no issue. I believe even Google's secure features work. There's a reddit post about MitID: https://www.reddit.com/r/CalyxOS/comments/w2ordg/a_proven_way_to_use_calyxos_and_banking_apps_etc/

    E: having read through the technical comments on graphene's forums, looks like play integrity prevents MitID from running. The service offers free code generators which hang on your keys though.

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  • [–] 2 points 1 year ago* (3 children)

    how do they make it mandatory? what happens if you don't have a smartphone?

    is it strictly mandatory, or is the alternative intentionally very inconvenient?

    I'm asking because it is very weird to me. but also, in my country also in the EU, there's this misunderstanding that it is mandatory, while actually it can be replaced with any 2FA code generator app. and then it has a bunch of administrative features in one place for convenience

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  • [–] 3 points 1 year ago (2 children)

    MitID is hard-required to sign into anything government or personal information required. Previously people would be handed a key-card (a white, fold-out card with a bunch of numbers on it. The numbers were one-time use, so the card would eventually run out, requiring a replacement after a few months).

    These key-cards have been completely phased out. Now there is the MitID app or a key-device that is almost impossible to get (you'll basically have to prove that you don't have/can't use a smart phone).

    The MitID app has almost no features at all. It's specifically used for authentication. You log into the gooberment website or bank website, then a encrypted, constantly changing QR code pops up. You open the MitID app on your phone, scan the QR code, and then you gain access.

    This is all run through the private security company the Danish government has hired, called "NETS".

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