Privacy

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Google Allows Creditors to Brick Your Phone (lemmy.world)

submitted 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago) by MisterFrog@lemmy.world to c/privacy@lemmy.ml

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I installed NetGuard about a month ago and blocked all internet to apps, unless they're on a whitelist. No notifications from this particular system app (that can't be disabled) until recently when it started making internet connection requests to google servers. Does anyone know when this became a thing?

Edit 2: I bought my Pixel 6 phone outright, directly from Google's Australian store. I have no creditors.

Were the courts not enough control for creditors? Since when are they allowed to lock you out of your purchased property without a court order?

I don't even live in the US, so what the actual fuck?

Edit 1: You can check it's installed (~~stock~~ Pixel 6 android 14) Settings > Apps > All Apps > three dot menu, Show system > search "DeviceLockController".

I highly recommend getting NetGuard, you can enable pro features via their website if you have the APK for as low as 0.10€, but donate more, because it's amazing. You can also purchase via Google Play store.

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[–] Lucidlethargy@sh.itjust.works 5 points 8 months ago (1 children)

Interesting. It's not available in the US.

[–] MisterFrog@lemmy.world 4 points 8 months ago

It's not "available" in the Australian Playstore either, whether it's installed so far seems to be how old your phone is (rough feeling based on comments). Not yet clear what the pattern is.

[–] scratchandgame@lemmy.ml 5 points 8 months ago

the phone world is fucked. Use a landline phone :)

[–] lemmyingly@lemm.ee 5 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago) (5 children)

Since when are they allowed to lock you out of your purchased property without a court order?

That's an oxymoron. Creditors have the ability to lock you out of a device you haven't paid for yet. Standard terms and conditions in B2C and B2B; you don't own it until you've paid for it in full.

Also locking you out of a device you don't own yet is cheaper than taking you to court.

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[–] Eggyhead@kbin.run 4 points 8 months ago (1 children)

Are we certain it does what we think it does? Could it be something to do with the ability to lock your phone remotely if stolen, or just something to do with Lock Screen functionality?

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[–] Bitflip@lemmy.ml 4 points 8 months ago

This is pre-installed on my 6a, also purchased outright, unlocked, directly from Google in the US.

[–] root@aussie.zone 4 points 8 months ago

Asus Zenfone 8 purchased outright in Australia. App does not exist on my phone.

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