Are you using "Files" by Google? - Be careful, you need to fix this setting...

Files" by Google added a "feature"... "Smart Search", this is a very intrusive feature that can cost you dearly, read on and find out why and how to disable it

Jan 13, 2025

"Files" by Google new feature

"Files" by Google added a "feature"... "Smart Search", you can toggle it to OFF and it is highly recommended to do so.

Toggle the Smart Search to OFF, otherwise, google will search and index every picture, video and document in your device, no exceptions, anything you have ever photographed and you forgot, any document you have downloaded or article, etc...

How this could affect you?

Google is actively combating child abuse and therefore it has built in its "AI" a very aggressive algorithm searching of material that "IT THINKS" is related, therefore the following content could be flagged:

Pictures of you and your children in the beach
Pictures or videos which are innocent in nature but the "AI" "thinks" are not
Articles you may have save for research to write your next essay that have links to flagged information or sites

The results:

Your google account will be canceled
You will be flagged as a criminal across the digital world

You think this is non sense? Think again: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/08/21/technology/google-surveillance-toddler-photo.html

How to switch it off:

Open files by Google
Tap on Menu -> Settings
Turn OFF Smart Search

But you can do more for your privacy and the security of your family

Stop using google apps, if possible get rid off of Google OS and use Graphene OS
Go to Settings -> Apps
Search for Files by Google
Uninstall the app, if you can't then disable it
Keep doing that with most Google apps that are not a must if you have not switched already to Graphene OS

Remember, Google keeps advocating for privacy, but as many others have pointed out repeatedly, they are the first ones lobbying for the removal of your privacy by regulation and draconian laws, their hypocrisy knows no limits, in the same league with Meta and Apple

Suggestions:

I would assume you have installed F-Droid in your android, or Obtainium or Zapstore if you are more advanced, if so, consider "Simple File Manager Pro" by Tibor Kaputa, this dev has a suite of apps that are basic needs and the best feature in my opinion is that not one of his apps connect to the internet, contacts, gallery, files, phone, etc.

Final thoughts

As most people, we all love the convenience of technology, it makes our lives easier, however, our safety and our family safety should go first, between technology being miss-used and abused by corporations and cyber-criminals data mining and checking for easy targets to attack for profit, we need to keep our guard up. Learning is key, resist the use of new tech if you do not understand the privacy trade offs, no matter how appealing and convenient it looks like. .

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