In light of Google’s recent announcement (banning unsigned app installations from September 2026) I deleted my Google account today.
I have always been creeped out by Google’s data collection, and only tolerated them anywhere near my personal data because of the flexibility the Android operating system paired with their services offered. Take away that flexibility and they have nothing of value to offer me.
I don’t use many of the Google software products. The only ones I can think of are Google Maps, Youtube, Wallet and Find my phone. I don’t use Gmail, I don’t sync my calendar, tasks, notes or contacts to their servers as I manage all that myself. I use open source apps or anything I need from the Play Store I download with Aurora.
I realised that when pushed, I don’t need a Google account at all. For the sake of my privacy I can do without Find my phone, I can watch and save all of my favourite channels on Youtube using Newpipe, I can use an alternative for Navigation or if using Android Auto I can just use Google maps without being logged in. Wallet will be an inconvenience but I’ll just use my physical cards again.
Aside from this I feel a sentiment that I’ve seen echoed quite a bit in light of this recent news. If Google remove what made their product uniquely attractive, then we may as well just get iPhones. It may sound strange to say, but I trust Apple with my data more than I do Google, and if there is no freedom on either devices then I’d rather use an iPhone.
Apple aren’t saints by any means. They’ve locked their devices down to a ridiculous degree from the very start. However, they are a hardware company where Google are an advertising company. They recently stood up to the UK government when asked to provide a back door into user data. They offered long support of their devices before it was cool to do so.
Do I think putting more business towards a restrictive company, that already has a near monopoly in the developed world is an ideal solution? Absolutely not, in any other situation I’d say it’s a terrible idea. But in this case it just might be the best option. And maybe, just maybe if Google notices a loss in market share, not just in Google Pixel users but all Android devices they might back track on this awful decision.
I’ll be having a long think about where we’ll go from here, and whether I’m willing to leave Android behind. What I am certain about is that I will never have another Google account, and Google will never receive another penny from me, either directly or indirectly through Play Store purchases.
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