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Your Android keyboard may be collecting more than you realize. Here are two ways to take back your privacy, but I only trust one.
Everything is tracking us. You can have a conversation with someone without even unlocking your phone, and the next day, that device will show you ads based on what you talked about. It's not just infuriating; it's kind of frightening.
What's worse, the companies behind all of this don't seem to really care about our privacy. What was once a given is now opt-out, and sometimes opting out is obfuscated in such a way that you have no idea it's even possible.
Also: Use Google Messages? I change these 9 settings on every new Android phone - here's why
Another thing that'll make you want to chuck your Android phone against a wall is that your keyboard is tracking you. Yes, your keyboard. Why? Autocorrect, typing suggestions, AI ... it all uses an internet connection to work, and because of that, it can track you. I, for one, cannot tolerate yet another thing tracking me. I'm done with it.
Gboard is the default Android keyboard, and unless you take the time to make it private, it's tracking you. Yes, there is a way to stop some of this, but whether or not it's 100% is up in the air.
Also: Your Android phone's most powerful security feature is off by default and hidden - turn it on now