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.
I agree that this makes sense in the context of a creditor securing a loan, but I disagree that getting your phones on credit makes sense.
New, flagship devices can be had around $500 US, which is attainable for most Americans in a fairly short timeframe. Spending years locked into a carrier contract where you don’t own your device just doesn’t make sense unless you’re spending thousands on a foldable device or something.
For people who know as much about technology as most people in this discussion the thing to do if short of cash would be to buy a cheaper phone. I recently got myself a quite decent Note9 for $109AU and I could have got something even cheaper if I needed to. But many people aren’t as well informed, the above article is one example of people who are less well off being scammed by a corporation.
I agree that this makes sense in the context of a creditor securing a loan, but I disagree that getting your phones on credit makes sense.
New, flagship devices can be had around $500 US, which is attainable for most Americans in a fairly short timeframe. Spending years locked into a carrier contract where you don’t own your device just doesn’t make sense unless you’re spending thousands on a foldable device or something.
This is a frankly deranged take considering that 40% of americans dont even have the funds to save for a $400 emergency as of May 2023
https://www.accc.gov.au/media-release/telstra-to-pay-50m-penalty-for-unconscionable-sales-to-indigenous-consumers
For people who know as much about technology as most people in this discussion the thing to do if short of cash would be to buy a cheaper phone. I recently got myself a quite decent Note9 for $109AU and I could have got something even cheaper if I needed to. But many people aren’t as well informed, the above article is one example of people who are less well off being scammed by a corporation.