> Safetynet is not spyware

All of Google Play Services qualifies as spyware, but SafetyNet is the most obvious example. It literally does "diagnostics" on your phone and uploads them to Google so they can track information about your phone. Under what definition of the term "spyware" are you operating. I mean, they constantly upload your current location with the greatest accuracy we have ever invented for GPS for pete's sake.

Just because your vendor installed it for you in the first place doesn't stop it from being spyware. And just because Google are portrayed as the "good guys" doesn't mean they're immune from doing incredibly scummy bullshit.

Google Play Services meets all the definitions of spyware. It's built to collect data on your usage and track your location and report it to a third party for their own interests. It's nearly impossible to fully remove, and it has replaced critical parts of core applications so you can't remove it without crippling your own ability to use the device.

I get that you're a fan, but it's impossible to define it any other way.

And as always, remember that any data Google can collect, the government can collect through them. They have no legal ability to resist those requests. So, your precise location history at all times? Yeah, that's an open book.