[Discuss] Syncing Android phones directly

[david at thekramers.net (David Kramer)]

On 07/02/2013 07:23 AM, Edward Ned Harvey (blu) wrote:
>> I should clarify that it's specifically Contacts data, and to a lesser
>> extent calendar data, that I'm worried about.  Yes.  I know you can turn
>> off syncing contacts with GMail, but I had assumed if I turned that off,
>> then I wouldn't have to worry so much about them getting my contacts.  
> This is a little tricky.  Because in order to add the google account, you obviously need to be on the network.  And when you add it, by default, sync contacts & calendar is enabled.  At best, within a few seconds you might be able to quickly un-check the sync contacts & calendar checkboxes, but in the meantime, it has been sending your stuff as fast as its little brains could.
>
> When you disable the checkbox for sync contacts & calendar, it doesn't REMOVE stuff from the server.  It just stops syncing.
>
> You want to get around this, I don't see any alternative.  You'll have to start with a blank empty phone, add your google account, disable sync, and THEN populate your addressbook / calendar.
>
> You need the google account in order to get apps from the Google Play store.  Which basically means, you need to add a google account.

I don't have any contacts/calendar entries in my gmail account.  My plan
was to set up contacts and calendar to not sync with Google, *then* load
data into it.

According to what some are saying though, even if I don't officially
sync with GMail, etc, Google gets my data as a natural process of
storing ANY data in the sqlite tables, which is rather scary (ie storing
data in the sqlite tables is equivalent to giving it to Google).  That
requires more research, as I find it a bit hard to believe.

Am I really being that outrageous not wanting to give my contacts
information to Google? 
Why is privacy such a nutty notion?
Should I just give in, and move the line to "Now that you have all my
data, stay away from my Facebook and Linedin and Twitter"?