Survey reveals trust in Google has taken a big hit after this quiet Android change
Google automatically verifies and links phone numbers to every Google account on Android devices, including secondary and work accounts, without requiring explicit user permission. The feature defaults to enabled and cannot be fully retroactively disabled; already-linked numbers must be removed manually. While Google says the practice aids security and account recovery, user concern about this opt-out-only approach prompted a recent survey showing erosion of trust in Google's data practices.
Key points
- Google automatically verifies phone numbers linked to all Android accounts
- Feature enabled by default without explicit user permission
- Previously linked numbers cannot be batch-removed, only individually
- Survey shows user trust in Google affected by the practice
Summary and key points written by AI from the headline and a short excerpt, so they can be incomplete or wrong. Android Authority did the reporting; read the original for the full story.
Read the full story at Android Authority
