Youtube Trying to Force It's Way Into My Phone

[LoneRanger]

The most recent Android update to Youtube wants total ctrl over key permissions like microphone, contacts, you name it-- New version of Youtube for Android wants your phone like the Borg want Picard. At first it would open a screen giving choice to update or just launch your current version. As of today that screen now changed options for launching the current version--you have to wait on a 30 second timer to count down to zero before you can launch the current version installed on your phone. Or of course, you can update to the new version and give up almost every single permission to it.

This might not be as big of a deal if you have Marshmallow 6 or better since I think you can then selectively deny assorted permissions on a per app basis... Maybe. I'm not sure.

My phone (Moto X 2nd gen) however is currently stuck with Lollipop 5.1 with no hope on the horizon for an update to Marshmallow. So Google's rather extortionistic tactic may end up forcing me to drop my phone's drawers and let their Youtube version have it's way.

 

[Atesz792]

Or you can always just delete the youtube app.

 

[Alfred_B]

I wonder what the rationale behind access to microphone is.

 

[440Magnum]

Originally Posted By: Alfred_B
I wonder what the rationale behind access to microphone is.


I suspect the app lets you record video in the app and upload directly to Youtube... needs the mic to do that.

I'm not an Android user, but when apps ask for unlimited permissions like that, just checking "no" works. Provided you know what functionality you are giving up. For me, recording and uploading to youtube is not something I want on my phone, so I have it locked down to the point I can play videos and that's it.

Youtube wants to access your location... NO!
Youtube wants to access your camera... NO!
Youtube wants to access your photos... maybe, if I want to shoot video on my phone then upload later.

Of course they default all this to "on" so that all their features work.. doesn't mean they're being devious or anything. Just means you have to know how to use your phone and its apps.

 

[CKN]

Modern day problems.........

 

[Andy636]

Originally Posted By: Alfred_B
I wonder what the rationale behind access to microphone is.


Voice search in YT app

 

[Alfred_B]

Ok, I opened the app and it has voice search option, and also can upload videos directly from the app.

Mine's 7.0 and it allows selective permissions. I checked the permissions and I had granted it microphone access but no access to the camera or photos. So I can voice search but can't upload videos.

 

[AandPDan]

It's not just Youtube. It seems that ALL apps want permission to access everything on your phone.

 

[justintendo]

this why i browse all internet on a laptop, and have a samsung rugby flip phone. seems you have no control over things on a phone, and are kind of at the mercy of advertisers and such. i run firefox at home and never see an ad anywhere hardly. certainly never an ad on youtube.

 

[Alfred_B]

does you laptop have a microphone? You cannot restrict microphone use only to certain programs.

 

[GenesisGuy70]

This is why I stick with iPhones.

No doubt Samsung is out-engineering Apple but the fact that apple produces the hardware and software, the system just flows well and works. The apps also have to pass apple inspection, which also helps.

 

[justintendo]

Originally Posted By: Alfred_B
does you laptop have a microphone? You cannot restrict microphone use only to certain programs.


my microphone is physically disabled

 

[sleddriver]

Originally Posted By: LoneRanger
The most recent Android update to Youtube wants total ctrl over key permissions like microphone, contacts, you name it-- New version of Youtube for Android wants your phone like the Borg want Picard.

Remember, what you're holding is a very sophisticated, complex micro-computer capable of FAR MORE than simple voice communication. Further, permissions & features are all enabled by default as the company behind it makes $$$$billion$$$$ selling preferences, locations, names & contact info, everyone you're in contact with, what you order, when you last spoke to them, what you ordered, when, where, how much, how you paid, what animals you own, sports teams you like, groceries you buy, where you buy them, the names of your pets, kids, broader family + all of their data/preferences/choices/habits/cars etc.

I find it all incredibly deceptive, manipulative, invasive, voyeristic, narcissistic, and waayyy over-reaching. Including downright creepy....

I'm an EE too. Amazing technology actually. However the DARK SIDE is twisted, creepy and a major breach of personal & privacy boundaries. BIG BROTHER is incredibly nosey: Watching, listening, recording, and remembering. My, my..what a vain, narcissistic age we live in

Here a screen, there a screen. Everywhere a screen, screen......

"And the People Will Love Him For It".

BB's hidden Mission Statement is incredibly simple: SUDO

OK../soapbox /rant

 

[Rand]

moto x second gen? Mine has 6.x something on it..

did you have an unlocked one?

 

[BalticBob]

Originally Posted By: sleddriver
Originally Posted By: LoneRanger
The most recent Android update to Youtube wants total ctrl over key permissions like microphone, contacts, you name it-- New version of Youtube for Android wants your phone like the Borg want Picard.

Remember, what you're holding is a very sophisticated, complex micro-computer capable of FAR MORE than simple voice communication. Further, permissions & features are all enabled by default as the company behind it makes $$$$billion$$$$ selling preferences, locations, names & contact info, everyone you're in contact with, what you order, when you last spoke to them, what you ordered, when, where, how much, how you paid, what animals you own, sports teams you like, groceries you buy, where you buy them, the names of your pets, kids, broader family + all of their data/preferences/choices/habits/cars etc.

I find it all incredibly deceptive, manipulative, invasive, voyeristic, narcissistic, and waayyy over-reaching. Including downright creepy....

I'm an EE too. Amazing technology actually. However the DARK SIDE is twisted, creepy and a major breach of personal & privacy boundaries. BIG BROTHER is incredibly nosey: Watching, listening, recording, and remembering. My, my..what a vain, narcissistic age we live in

Here a screen, there a screen. Everywhere a screen, screen......

"And the People Will Love Him For It".

BB's hidden Mission Statement is incredibly simple: SUDO

OK../soapbox /rant


That is why I continue to use my clay tablets......

 

[LoneRanger]

Originally Posted By: Rand
moto x second gen? Mine has 6.x something on it..

did you have an unlocked one?


Not unlocked or rooted but it's because the carrier is republic wireless -- they have not done nor seem to plan to push 6.0 out to legacy phones on the refund plans. I signed up with them in 2015 under the refund plan where the only choices in phones were Moto E (4th gen) Moto G (3rd gen) and Moto X (2nd gen). They now offer many more phones but the refund plans went legacy and cannot be gotten anymore (legacy customers keep their refund plans though... my bill was $13.42 last month)

 

[emg]

Originally Posted By: AandPDan
It's not just Youtube. It seems that ALL apps want permission to access everything on your phone.


This is the main reason I replaced my old Android phone with an iPhone last year. I got sick of every [censored] little app demanding access to everything on the phone to install.

(That and because it only got one OS update in the two years I had it)

 

[sleddriver]

Originally Posted By: BalticBob
That is why I continue to use my clay tablets......
Really? Truly?
Me thinks you care nothing for this, much less are concerned about it. So said a friend of mine. "most don't do this...know anything about this..blah, blah, blah" She was right about that. Most don't. Most are clueless. I agree.

However, it wasn't so funny anymore when her DT was invaded by less than 4 spybots & malware, and her browser was hijacked rendering it useless, dragging the DT to a near freeze, making it useless....while working on her taxes.

My, my........