There is no option for deletion for this app. Its draining my battery, and I read various posts they said that this app spy location and do lot of other stuff. I’m really confused after noticing it and reading such stuff. What should I do, I tried to disable it but it again activates when I restart phone?

  • Melody Fwygon@lemmy.oneEnglish
    0·
    9 months ago

    and I read various posts they said that this app spy location and do lot of other stuff.

    The source(s) you heard these things from are blatant misinformation. They fail to correctly understand the technology; which is “Federated Learning”. Basically it’s a form of AI training that obscures the data from the operator(s) so that it cannot be read, but the AI can learn from it privately. Bits and pieces of work are assigned to devices to “train” the AI privately, on the device using it’s AI focused hardware. Your device never allows your data to leave the device; even if your data is used to train the AI.

    I tried to disable it but it again activates when I restart phone?

    This is a core system component of Android and you cannot disable it. It is the core function of Android System Intelligence module. The Private Compute Services is what is allowed to read your data; and if you’ve not opted out, can train bits of AI on your data without revealing or sharing that data to anyone. I repeat, your data does not leave the device, it is only used as training material. Yes, that has some privacy implications that they do try to address.

    Please see this comic first: https://federated.withgoogle.com/

    and then feel free to read up on Wikipedia about it to learn more. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federated_learning

    In Android 14, at least on a Pixel, it’s possible to opt out of these functions easily in Settings > Security & Privacy > More Security & Privacy. Similarly this menu can also “forget” everything your device has “learned” locally about your data and habits…which might help you with battery drain issues.