So Google is now preventing people from removing location data from photos taken with Pixel phones.

Remember when Google’s corporate motto was “don’t be evil?”

Obviously, accurate location data on photos is more useful to a data mining operation like Google.

From Google: “Important: You can only update or remove estimated locations. If the location of a photo or video was automatically added by your camera, you can’t edit or remove the location.”

It’s enshitification in action.

Source: https://support.google.com/photos/answer/6153599?hl=en&sjid=8103501961576262529-AP

#technology #tech @technology #business #enshitification #Android #Google @pluralistic #infosec

  • ziby0405
    31·
    1 year ago

    OK first thanks for sharing this as a heads up for those out of the loop.

    However, here’s my hot takes:

    • This sounds like it’s behaviour of the stock ROM and/or the stock photo management app. So the clear solutions are to flash LineageOS, or use another gallery app from… F-Droid or anything else (Simple Gallery hello?)
    • Turn off your Location permissions when not in use. “It’s annoying to do that”? Pick your poison then.
    • Users fault for buying a Pixel… which is LITERALLY a Google product…

    “It’s enshitification in action.” It’s literally Google, it’s been shittified a loooong time.