I installed NetGuard about a month ago and blocked all internet to apps, unless they’re on a whitelist. No notifications from this particular system app (that can’t be disabled) until recently when it started making internet connection requests to google servers. Does anyone know when this became a thing?

Edit 2: I bought my Pixel 6 phone outright, directly from Google’s Australian store. I have no creditors.

Were the courts not enough control for creditors? Since when are they allowed to lock you out of your purchased property without a court order?

I don’t even live in the US, so what the actual fuck?

Edit 1: You can check it’s installed (stock Pixel 6 android 14) Settings > Apps > All Apps > three dot menu, Show system > search “DeviceLockController”.

I highly recommend getting NetGuard, you can enable pro features via their website if you have the APK for as low as 0.10€, but donate more, because it’s amazing. You can also purchase via Google Play store.

  • BrikoX@lemmy.zipEnglish
    0·
    8 months ago

    In 2020 Google claimed it was supposed to be limited to a single region in partnership with a single carrier. And was never meant to be put up on Play Store.

    A spokesperson from Google reached out to clarify some details about the Device Lock Controller app. To start with, Google says they launched this app in collaboration with a Kenyan carrier called Safaricom.

    Google has confirmed that the Device Lock Controller app should not be listed on the Google Play Store for users in the U.S., and they will work to take down the listing.

    Source: https://www.xda-developers.com/google-device-lock-controller-banks-payments/

    Of course, it was a lie since it’s still on Play Store an of today and in use.

    • Gerowen@lemmy.worldEnglish
      0·
      8 months ago

      I’m using CalyxOS and it’s pre-installed as a system app, so this seems like something that’s being built in at the AOSP level of development.

    • Jimmycrackcrack@lemmy.ml
      0·
      8 months ago

      I’m surprised it would be on the play store since presumably if you were a carrier or creditor of some kind you want this installed in a pretty clandestine way and wouldn’t want to draw attention to it by having an app store listing.

      • Trainguyrom@reddthat.comEnglish
        0·
        8 months ago

        Being on the play store means it can be updated and managed like a normal app and not stuck on whatever version shipped with the OS

      • dev_null@lemmy.ml
        0·
        8 months ago

        I’d assume they want to be able to update it and that’s why it needs a store listing.

    • Ledivin@lemmy.world
      0·
      8 months ago

      Of course, it was a lie since it’s still on Play Store an of today and in use.

      FWIW, I just searched it up and it’s listed as unavailable in my region (USA) 🤷‍♂️ so at the very least, they scoped it down a little bit

      • fishos@lemmy.worldEnglish
        0·
        8 months ago

        Checked my pixel 6 and it’s on mine. Might not be in the store for everyone, but it’s installed on my owned device.

      • BrikoX@lemmy.zipEnglish
        0·
        8 months ago

        So they region locked it from US, but it can still be pre-installed as a system app from AOSP. And it’s available in EU, while was meant to be in Kenya only.

      • MisterFrog@lemmy.worldOP
        0·
        8 months ago

        Just because it’s not in the Playstore, doesn’t mean it’s not installed.

        It’s not listed in the Australian Playstore either, yet here we are with it making internet requests.

        It’s definitely installed.

        • Baku@aussie.zoneEnglish
          0·
          8 months ago

          It’s not just you, it’s phoning home for me too. Pixel 7, also Australia, bought outright from officeworks. I don’t log network reqs so I don’t know exacts, but it’s using 25kb every 3 days or so, so it’s doing something.

          • Caaaaarrrrlll@lemmy.ml
            0·
            8 months ago

            I’m on Google Fi and a Pixel 8 Pro with Android 14 purchased last month.

            It’s there.

            System Settings -> Apps -> See all apps -> Three-dot Menu -> Show system -> Search for DeviceLockController

            It also shows unavailable in the Play Store (USA) despite being installed.

            Edit: I turned on my older Pixel 4XL on Android 11 and it’s not installed there. 👀 Worth noting, both phones were/are on the same plan, but I’ve paid off the 4XL while the 8 Pro is still in payments.

    • MisterFrog@lemmy.worldOP
      0·
      8 months ago

      It must be globally, I’m in Australia. What utter bullshit, since I would have never known if it weren’t for my NetGuard firewall app.

      • No1@aussie.zone
        0·
        8 months ago

        I’m in Australia, and when I search for Device Lock Controller in Play Store, it says “This app is not available in your region”

        This happens on 2 separate devices from different manufacturers. Both devices were purchased in Australia and have Australian ROMs

        • MisterFrog@lemmy.worldOP
          0·
          8 months ago

          Check your installed apps (I left an edit in th post where to check). Just because it’s not listen in the Playstore for Australia, doesn’t mean it’s not installed.

        • Baku@aussie.zoneEnglish
          0·
          8 months ago

          Also in Australia and it shows that to me as well

          But going into my app list and showing system does show it

      • noorbeast@lemmy.zipEnglish
        0·
        8 months ago

        Being Australian this is likely one to report to the ACCC, as Aussies at least have basic consumer protection, though that get murky with overseas tech entities.

        • MisterFrog@lemmy.worldOP
          0·
          8 months ago

          Unfortunately the ACCC gives fewer fucks than you may expect. An airline once cancelled a flight on me and kept the cancellation fee, despite producing no evidence that any government had forced them to cancel the flight (this was during COVID).

          ACCC did not care one bit

          So while we do have some consumer protection (better than most) I would be surprised if they cared.

          • MalReynolds@slrpnk.netEnglish
            0·
            8 months ago

            It’s 5 minutes out of your life to try, as an aussie, please do, for charity if nothing else, who knows, you might benefit…

            • MisterFrog@lemmy.worldOP
              0·
              8 months ago

              I am a serial complaint lodger, just that I’m much busier than I used to be. I may do it once I figure out what’s going on with it on my phone.

        • MeetInPotatoes@lemmy.mlEnglish
          0·
          8 months ago

          though that get murky with overseas tech entities.

          I mostly agree, but you gotta admit the EU has been sticking it to the tech giants lately.