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Google security contradiction

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Monanore
Monanore Posts: 82 Forumite
10 Posts First Anniversary Name Dropper
edited 16 June at 3:25PM in Techie Stuff
Google is paranoid about security.  But it requires me to be signed in to use the chatgpt app, just because I installed it using play store.  This means that unless I sign in every time I want to use the app, the security of my google account is compromised by having to remain signed in.  Ridiculous!  Or have I misunderstood ?
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  • DullGreyGuy
    DullGreyGuy Posts: 18,544 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Second Anniversary Name Dropper
    Monanore said:
    Google is paranoid about security.  But it requires me to be signed in to use the chatgpt app, just because I installed it using play store.  This means that unless I sign in every time I want to use the app, the security of my google account is compromised by having to remain signed in.  Ridiculous!  Or have I misunderstood ?
    How do you think remaining signed into the ChatGPT app compromises the security of your Google account? 

    It will give them your basic details, but they have those once you've signed up one irrespective if you go on to log out or not. Access to anything else depends on if you've consented to it having access to your photos or address book etc etc. 

    For Apple its similar other than you can set it such that the service gets a different email that then forwards to your genuine account email meaning its easy to shut down in the future if you no longer want association. 
  • Exodi
    Exodi Posts: 3,876 Forumite
    Eighth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    edited 16 June at 4:09PM
    With respect, in general I always think it's comes across as daft to complain about a company being 'paranoid about security', especially considering the incredibly sensitive information Google is responsible for.

    I don't even really understand what you've got yourself worked up over? It seems to be a problem of your own design if I understood you correctly?

    You refuse to give ChatGPT permissions to stay signed in, but simultaneously complain about having to sign in every time?

    You can revoke app access in about 5 seconds on:

    https://myaccount.google.com/connections

    Google also doesn't give apps free-reign to your data. For example, if I check that page, I can see that the only permissions OpenAI is afforded is to see my profile info... presumably so they know my name and DOB for their responses...

    The irony is that you are the one who appears to be paranoid about security...
    Monanore said:
    the security of my google account is compromised by having to remain signed in
    Know what you don't
  • Frozen_up_north
    Frozen_up_north Posts: 2,783 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Monanore said:
    Google is paranoid about security
    Really? Who are you kidding. There is no security with Google, they search your text for advertising purposes and are open to any one of many “official” organisations having access to all your emails and stored data without needing a warrant.

    No “free lunch” with free email and storage
  • Vitor
    Vitor Posts: 616 Forumite
    500 Posts First Anniversary Photogenic Name Dropper
    edited 16 June at 7:03PM

    OP is mixing a few things up here. Installing the ChatGPT app via the Play Store does require a Google account at the time of installation, but once the app is installed, it doesn't need your Google account to function. ChatGPT gives options for login (OpenAI account, Apple ID, etc.), there's no obligation to use your Google account to authenticate.

    Also, staying signed in to your Google account on your own device isn't inherently a security risk—especially if you’ve enabled two-factor authentication and use a secure lock screen.

    NB Hopefully OP has disabled the setting that allows ChatGPT to use input for model training. Given concerns about account security, it would be ironic to leave that enabled.

  • Heedtheadvice
    Heedtheadvice Posts: 2,765 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    You might think this is off topic and bit but.....

    How do Google automatically add things to one's calendar  if not by 'reading' an associated email that they are not copied I to?

    This has happened to me ( before the days of AI!)
  • MattMattMattUK
    MattMattMattUK Posts: 11,137 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Fourth Anniversary Name Dropper
    You might think this is off topic and bit but.....

    How do Google automatically add things to one's calendar  if not by 'reading' an associated email that they are not copied I to?

    This has happened to me ( before the days of AI!)
    This happens within the security of your account, your Google calendar is part of your Gmail account, so that processing follows a fairly basic algorithm, but that data never goes outside of your account and is not accessible to anyone else. 
  • Vitor
    Vitor Posts: 616 Forumite
    500 Posts First Anniversary Photogenic Name Dropper
    edited 17 June at 5:08PM
    How do Google automatically add things to one's calendar  if not by 'reading' an associated email that they are not copied I to?-

    That's just how it works. Can be switched off i
    n Google Calendar settings: Events from Gmail and toggle off.

    NB Scanning your email for advertising opportunities was stopped in 2017, Google says.
  • Monanore
    Monanore Posts: 82 Forumite
    10 Posts First Anniversary Name Dropper
    edited 18 June at 7:47AM
    @DullDullGrey @Exodi @Vitor
    It's my fault, you've misunderstood the position, I'll clarify.
    The chatgpt app is installed on my phone ( via play store ) .  I do not sign in to chatgpt to use it.  When I activate the app it requires me to sign in to play store before I can use it ( Vitor thinks otherwise - ? ).   I cannot see why Google thinks this is necessary for security or any other reason. 
    I do not like leaving my Google account signed in on my phone because my personal details are either exposed ( when the phone is in use ) or protected only by the phone's login ( when it's not in use ).  I only sign in to Google when I want to install something.
    I understand others saying that the phone's security is sufficient but I don't think so. 

  • Heedtheadvice
    Heedtheadvice Posts: 2,765 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Thanks Matt and Vitor.
    I consider that should not be happening by default....but could be offered as an option, IMHO!

    Maybe done by algorithm but I believe that emails should not be 'read' by manual or automatic  means whatever the function or destination of the result.
  • Ergates
    Ergates Posts: 3,027 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    It's not Google asking you to sign in, it's the chatGPT app.   It's not doing this for security reasons, it's doing this so it can keep track of your interactions with chatGPT.

    Just to be clear too - none of the "AI stuff" is happening on your phone - the app is just a connection to the chatGPT servers.

    If you're that concerned about security, then you probably shouldn't be using chatGPT at all.
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