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Your Android phone keyboard may be tracking your inputs - how to check (and 2 ways to stop it)

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Why This Matters

This article highlights the privacy concerns surrounding Android keyboard tracking, emphasizing that default options like Gboard collect user data through features such as autocorrect and suggestions. It underscores the importance for consumers to understand and manage their privacy settings or consider alternative keyboards to protect their personal information. As digital privacy becomes increasingly critical, users must be proactive in safeguarding their data from pervasive tracking practices in everyday tools like keyboards.

Key Takeaways

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ZDNET's key takeaways

If you use the default Android keyboard, it's tracking you.

There are two options to prevent this: configure it or change it.

FUTO Keyboard is a better option than the default.

Everything is tracking us. You can have a conversation with someone without even unlocking your phone, and the next day, that device will show you ads based on what you talked about. It's not just infuriating; it's kind of frightening.

What's worse, the companies behind all of this don't seem to really care about our privacy. What was once a given is now opt-out, and sometimes opting out is obfuscated in such a way that you have no idea it's even possible.

Also: Use Google Messages? I change these 9 settings on every new Android phone - here's why

Another thing that'll make you want to chuck your Android phone against a wall is that your keyboard is tracking you. Yes, your keyboard. Why? Autocorrect, typing suggestions, AI ... it all uses an internet connection to work, and because of that, it can track you. I, for one, cannot tolerate yet another thing tracking me. I'm done with it.

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