[Boomer]

We are being aggravated constantly by texts on Mr. Boomer's cell from Google. I asked Mr. Boomer to write about the problem so I could post his explanation here where there are people who might know how to help us get rid of Google's constant dinging of Google's notifications.

Help! Please!

Thank you.
Boomer

The following is from Mr. Boomer:

I have an Android Samsung Galaxy S7 phone. I’ve been trying to limit Google’s intrusion into my life and apps by denying as many permissions as practical but some of these denials have unintended consequences.

As a matter of principle, I don’t think Google needs to access my contact list or my files or photos, among other things.

But Google thinks so.

Now my phone dings at all hours of the day and night to give me a “Google Play services error” and “Google Pay is having trouble with Google Play services. This app won’t work properly unless you allow Google Play services’ request to access the following: Contacts, Phone, SMS, Microphone.... To continue, open Settings, then Permissions, and allow all listed items."

I don’t use Google Pay. Don’t need it. Don’t want it. Google thinks I’m too dumb to know what I want. Maybe they’re right.

Google and Amazon already know more about me than the NSA and I’d like to reduce the amount of data they harvest by the hour. When I questioned a friend about his “Personal Invitation” for me to join Facebook and Instagram his response was “Huh?” Didn’t appreciate having his contact list harvested.

I understand, I think, that there’s some crosstalk between apps. When I want to go to Bob’s house and be mindful of traffic, I turn on GPS, go to my contact list and hit the location arrow under his name. This automatically brings up Google Maps where I touch the “Directions“ button and I’m on my way with not only directions, which I may not need, but traffic advisories which I do. And behold: I can give voice commands for many of these features. The ever-patient Google is always listening. Unless I want to turn it off.

Just because a feature is available doesn’t mean I want it. Or all the time.

Don’t know if Apple is as intrusive.

Does anyone understand the intricacies or consequences of selective permissions?