Here are many things Google needs to stop, if it intends not to "be
evil".
For starters...
Nonfree software required
A nonfree program submits the users to the power of the program's
developer. This is an
injustice
to the user. Alas, most Google services require running nonfree
code.
-
Even making a Google account requires running nonfree software
(Javascript sent by the site).
-
Google Groups and Google+ Communities require the use of nonfree
Javascript software, so please don't host your discussions there.
-
Google Docs requires nonfree
Javascript code to edit a document, or even to look at one with
the usual URL. It may be possible to merely look at some kinds of
documents without running the nonfree Javascript code, through a
different URL, but I don't know.
-
Around 2011, Google Maps worked without running Javascript code. Then
something broke: the page worked fine except that the map did not
appear.
Nowadays, nothing whatsoever appears if Javascript is disabled.
-
Youtube requires nonfree
software (Javascript code) for normal use of the site, so it is
not a good way to distribute video. (Most sites specifically for
video distribution have the same problem, and some free browsers are starting
to come with free code to work around the problem.)
- In general, most Google services require running nonfree
Javascript code. If you refuse to do this (for instance, by running
LibreJS), you'll see that you should not use those services.
- Google censored installation of Samsung's ad-blocker, saying that blocking ads is "interference" with the sites that advertise (and surveil users through ads).
The ad-blocker is proprietary software, just like the program (Google Play) that Google used to deny access to install it. Using a nonfree program gives the owner power over you, and Google has exercised that power.
Surveillance
To identify yourself to a Google service is a grave error.
-
Gmail
was planned from the start as a massive surveillance system, to make
psychological profiles not only of Gmail users but of everyone who
sends mail to Gmail users.
-
Google quietly
combined its ad-tracking profiles with its browsing profiles.
-
Google Play
sends
app developers the personal details of users that install the app.
Merely asking users' "consent" for this is not enough to legitimize it.
We know that most users have given up on reading just what they are
"consenting" to, and the reason is that they are accustomed to being
told, "If you want to use this service, you must consent to blah blah
blah."
To truly protect people's privacy, we must stop Google from getting
this personal information in the first place!
Terms of Service
-
Google cuts off accounts for users that resell Pixel phones.
They lose access to all of their mail and documents stored
in Google servers under that account.
It should be illegal to put any "terms of service" on a physical
product. It should also be illegal to close an account on a service
without letting the user download whatever was stored there.
These events provide another reason why schools must never ask
a student to use a service account linked to the student's name.
Censorship