New Google app could help providers block phone functions if you miss installment payments

07 November 2020
The practice seems a bit strange for Google, but we could make some sense out of it.

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  • Arbiter
  • gMC
  • 07 Nov 2020

Ajay11, 07 Nov 2020In India, during the last sale, Samsung did the same thin... moreWtf? Are you talking about that flipkart special offer to buy Samsung phones?

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    • yuka
    • n8F
    • 07 Nov 2020

    "The practice seems a bit strange from Google"
    Ughh, really ?

      Flipping horrified if this is implemented. I miss the old Symbian days. We need an alternative to the monstrosity duopoly of Android and iOS!

        • ?
        • Anonymous
        • PE3
        • 07 Nov 2020

        abigfanoftechs, 07 Nov 2020WTF Google!!! I hope to see a class action coming to Googl... morewhy tho? its the law that carrier can take back the phone if u didnt pay.

          Anonymous, 07 Nov 2020I don’t think either of you read the article, it’s for devi... moreYes, that's true. But what repossesion laws are there for.
          You miss payments then the telco take their device back via court order.

          This is app is circumventing the court & consumer protection.

            WTF Google!!!
            I hope to see a class action coming to Google soon.

              And this shows how dependent are people for their phones. Imagine if internet stopped for a day? It will be the apocalypse. Just try to live a few hours without your phone, there is life out there..

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                • Mad User
                • rKb
                • 07 Nov 2020

                AnonD-804996, 07 Nov 2020You miss the payment: Prepare to be punished! They miss th... moreSo true. Essentially sums up my experience with financial institutions.

                  In India, during the last sale,
                  Samsung did the same thing that they sell a mobile (F41) and they pre-install an App called Knox - Lock if the customer failed to pay or deferred the payment they have rights to lock the mobile.

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                    • AnonD-909757
                    • pZQ
                    • 07 Nov 2020

                    AnonD-807890, 07 Nov 2020Lol, there's no need to imagine the Tesla scenario bec... moreYeah, I know they are already doing it, not long ago I watched this video :
                    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1PWlkAZCojg

                    But I really meant the charger exemple as it is quite similar/comparable.

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                      • Sgx
                      • BiP
                      • 07 Nov 2020

                      Say hello to BlackMirrorOS

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                        • Anonymous
                        • 6k5
                        • 07 Nov 2020

                        .alpha, 07 Nov 2020Now you understand why HarmonyOS is so important to the worldIf only it will be available to other manufacturers, then Huawei really have something here

                          That is probably illegal for Google to do that as a third party, and maybe illegal for whoever to do that. It then could be classed as collusion and open up continuous successful litigation. The courts have tolerated attempts to try to force them into common law acceptance of practices through standards of practice by internet companies. But as much as practices violate common and civil and criminal laws, or people some don't want those standards as in appropriate to them, there is reason to rule them illegal. The judiciary is probably sick of internet companies trying to push them around, and can don't rule against it on those bases.

                          At the moment contract law is violated in many ways many times with unreasonable contracts and contracts with incapacitated people, changing terms without mutual agreement or sufficient notice etc. The sort of contracts where terms are hidden, trying to force difficult unreasonable requirements as too common. The courts have excellent opportunity to school internet companies harshly, to restore balance in the law. Maybe then, life with these companies will be 10x easier.

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                            • AnonD-804996
                            • puk
                            • 07 Nov 2020

                            .alpha, 07 Nov 2020Now you understand why HarmonyOS is so important to the worldAnd iOS. And Tizen too. Phones should have it easier to install alternate OS without being punished for it. When I installed LineageOS on my phone, I lost access to banking app coz "unlocked bootloader" and Netflix app is also very picky about it. Sure you can fiddle with Magisk to convince everything it's not unlocked, but sorry, I just can't be bothered. First it was a clumsy unlocking process and then you have to deal with this too? Why? Just let me install OS of choice and stop annoying me. What's better, using Android phone with totally outdated ancient Android version or unlocked one with latest LineageOS? Yet I was being punished for running latest version...

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                              • Anonymous
                              • PGq
                              • 07 Nov 2020

                              Just another reason to buy unlocked phones :)

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                                • .alpha
                                • q2$
                                • 07 Nov 2020

                                Now you understand why HarmonyOS is so important to the world

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                                  • AnonD-804996
                                  • puk
                                  • 07 Nov 2020

                                  You miss the payment: Prepare to be punished!
                                  They miss the payment/refund: Oh well, s**t happens. Sorry!

                                    This shouldn't be allowed or even legal, in the first place. A person may skip on payments to their carrier, financial institutions, or etc but in no way should those should be allowed to control the functions of a customer's phone, it's a massive breach of rights of ownership and privacy, also could lead to disastrous consequences, imagine not being able to call for help in case of an emergency just because you forgot to pay your last phone bill or some installment in time

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                                      • Lumina
                                      • fI{
                                      • 07 Nov 2020

                                      AnonD-807890, 07 Nov 2020Lol, there's no need to imagine the Tesla scenario bec... moreOmg is this real, definitely not looking forward to cars with lots of technology anymore :))

                                        AnonD-807890, 07 Nov 2020Lol, there's no need to imagine the Tesla scenario bec... moreGreat so now we have to subscribe to our cars too