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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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[–] lemmy_at_em@lemmy.world 51 points 8 months ago (2 children)

Version 14 is installed on my Pixel 7 in the USA. I bought this phone outright, no credit, directly from the Google store.

[–] Xatolos@reddthat.com 12 points 8 months ago (1 children)

Not on my phone though. Pixel 4a, bought outright from Google but in Canada, no credit.

[–] brygphilomena@lemmy.world 11 points 8 months ago (1 children)

Did you hit the three dots on the top right and select "show system"? It only shows after that.

[–] Xatolos@reddthat.com 6 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago) (1 children)

I didn't, but this is what shows after I did. Still not there.

[–] sugar_in_your_tea@sh.itjust.works 2 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago) (1 children)

I get this from the Google Play store:

Looking for Device Lock Controller?

This app isn't available on Google Play in your region.

So, cool?

I bought mine from Google Fi w/ cash and have never used it on a major carrier. I'm guessing it's a carrier thing, and not a stock Android thing.

[–] MisterFrog@lemmy.world 1 points 8 months ago (1 children)

No, it may not appear in the appstore (doesn't for me), but does appear in my apps (when you show system apps)

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

Mine doesn't appear in either for me, and I did show system apps. It must be a recent Android thing because my phone is almost 5 years old.

[–] MisterFrog@lemmy.world 2 points 8 months ago

Good to hear! And thanks for providing this data point. I may get around to doing a survey, and trying to rope in some people who know their way around android development to see what's going on here.