How to stop Google from using your Plus profile as caller ID

[Spider]

Summary: Google will implement its "Smarter Caller ID" for Android phones early next year to show Google Plus names and profile photos. Here's how to turn it off.

By Violet Blue for Pulp Tech |November 14, 2013 -- 07:13 GMT (23:13 PST)

If you have an Android phone registered with Google services, Google has matched your phone number to your Google Plus profile and plans to turn the association into yet another de-anonymizing tool.

All phones have caller ID. But in 2014, Google is extending caller identification on Android phones to access Google Plus profiles and show Plus profile pictures and names to anyone making or receiving calls on Android phones.

If you have registered a phone number with Google, it appears that you have already "opted in."

Much like with tying Plus "real name" profiles to Play Store and YouTube comments, Google is keen to remove the anonymity from making and receiving phone calls.

Google Plus profiles require people to use their real name, a policy that Google strongly enforces, even up to the point of having users send in government-issued ID. Users can then add a nickname or "other name" if it is within Google's strict "real name" guidelines.

So when a random person calls you, they will see your Plus photo and your real name, thus making it easier to find your profile on Google Plus.

When you call people, you'll be able to see their photo and name as well.

Google's "Smarter Caller ID" comes as part of Android 4.4 KitKat, and you do not need to be in someone's address book for them to get your Plus name and profile pic when calls are made or received.

Google engineer Attila Bodis wrote,

Coming in early 2014, users who have verified their phone number and have discovery turned on will have their names and Google Profile photos display whenever they call you, or you call them (it’s great if a new friend who hasn’t been saved in your contacts yet calls you).
Check your Google Account to make sure you are happy with how you appear on caller ID by Google: http://goo.gl/g9P3Bp [https://www.google.com/settings/phone]
​

People who prefer privacy and at-risk populations (such as women) probably won't think it's "great" if strangers can call their number and instantly get their name, photo and the social network to find them on.

If you don't want random callers to see what you look like, to know your real name or alias, or know how to find your profile on Google Plus, you won't want this change to take you by surprise.

If you don't want Google's [Plus] Smarter Caller ID, visit https://www.google.com/settings/phone and un-check the box next to your phone number (or numbers).

There is currently no way to remove a phone number once it is registered with Google.

 

[tpaine]

Thanks for the post. Google, facebook, MS, apple, NSA, they will push and push. If people don't push back...

 

[Spider]

There is currently no way to remove a phone number once it is registered with Google.

That being the case, I'm glad I never gave it to them in the first place.

 

[tpaine]

They've got the number of the burner phone i dumped years ago. ;-)

 

[cali]

This is probably the most important post I've ever read on the internet. It opens a person's eyes in more ways than one. Thanks Spider.

 

[leeshor]

Privacy, what privacy?

 

[tpaine]

Privacy, what privacy?

The war on privacy. (we have always been at war with eastasia).

C.I.A. Collecting Data on International Money Transfers, Officials Say (11-15-13)

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/15/u...ernational-money-transfers-officials-say.html

 

[SEMIJim]

I have a different solution: Don't sign up for Google+.

Google is annoying me anew, lately. "Google Services" on my handset occasionally goes wonky for a day or two and starts consuming battery like there's no tomorrow. So I've been whacking Google bits right-and-left. I'm down to syncing only (looks...) App Data, Calendar and Contacts and Google's Location Service. I've even got Gmail Sync and the mysterious "Sync Internet" disabled. They shot themselves in the foot with their broken code, because, as I've discovered the myriad ways in which Google's got itself wired into you, I've been killing them on my tablet, and my wife's devices, too.

I have a G+ account, but I disabled it a couple years ago, last time Google annoyed me. I only re-enabled it, a month ago or so, to post a very negative review of a note-taking app. (The author actually spammed his customers for a new app by placing a red high-lighted note in their notes repository.) I've since logged out and I'd planned to re-disable the account, soon, anyway. (ETA: Done.)

I've liefer dump Android, TBH. Don't like Google's increasing invasiveness. Unfortunately, the current alternatives blow chunks.

Jim