EmbeddingGemma 2: an open, lightweight multimodal embedding model
deepmind.google·6d ago
AI Engineering
Hacker News·23d ago·5 min read
I captured 72 hours of idle Android packets behind pfSense
TL;DR
A study revealed that an idle Android phone transmits data to Alphabet servers nearly 8,920 times daily, challenging assumptions about device inactivity. This highlights the pervasive background activity of smartphones even when not in use.
✦ Why It Matters
Evaluate your smartphone's data transmission and consider replacing Google services to enhance your privacy.
Key Takeaways
- Monitor your device's background data transmissions.
- Use privacy-focused alternatives to Google services.
- Implement network-level blocking for known Google endpoints.
- Regularly audit your device's privacy settings.
How It Works
The study utilized a hardware wiretap to capture all outgoing packets from the phones, bypassing potential software monitoring limitations. This method ensured accurate data collection without interference from the operating system.