Re: irritating turnaround
"But by then, of course, it is already too late. In the minute it has taken you to turn it off, your data has already been sent to google,"
Which is why, when you get a new phone (or other Android device), you do not put anything on it (no photos, videos, documents, old SMS messages, any phonebook entries, NOTHING) or allow it to connect to anything, no WiFi, no GSM/3/4/99G data (i.e. don't even put a SIM in it) until after you've been through and configured everything to your satisfaction.
And, after an OTA update, go through the same exercise in case the update has decided to re-enable anything.
It is a pain in the arse, but if you value your privacy, then it has to be done. Or decide your privacy isn't worth the effort, or decide you value your privacy enough to not get an Android (or iOS) phone and do without. Only you can decide where that line lies.
Biting the hand that feeds IT
