Android’s Gboard always suggests replies in chat apps that fit the context of what my contacts write.

If my previous message had been related, I would assume it predicted what my contact would say in response and make a suggestion based on that. But even if the contact changes the topic, the suggestions are appropriate.

I don’t expect that the apps all share the conversation with Gboard. So how are the predictions made.

It seems unlikely that it would take screenshots and base predictions on that. But otherwise I don’t know how it is possible.

  • Cris16228@lemmy.today
    272·
    2 days ago

    GBoard has no access to your messages

    As far as we know. Gboard comes from Google and I don’t trust them even if they put it down on paper

    • Sonalder@lemmy.ml
      9·
      1 day ago

      You can use GBoard and block telemetry behind a firewall or not giving the app internet access if your OS support that feature. Personnaly I prefer using FOSS such as HeliBoard !

      • kipo@lemm.eeEnglish
        2·
        1 day ago

        The only realtime active firewall I can find for Android is NetGuard, but because of the way Android works it uses a VPN connection.

        I guess what I am saying is that running an active firewall 24/7 on an Android device isn’t practical for most people, and blocking connections at the router level only works until you leave home, unless you set up your phone to automatically VPN back to your house when your phone disconnects from your home wi-fi.

        But yeah, FUTO and Heliboard are both excellent!

        • ERROR: Earth.exe has crashed@lemmy.dbzer0.comEnglish
          3·
          1 day ago

          Rethink DNS is both a firewall and a VPN

          although, it is kinda buggy, my Mullvad VPN wireguard config in Rethink DNS app failed for some reason and it defaulted to passing the traffic through my real ip 🤦‍♂️

        • Sonalder@lemmy.ml
          3·
          1 day ago

          GrapheneOS let you disable internet access permission before installing an app. I think you can disable it on OnePlus too but after installing the app. Probably other manufacters has this feature in their Android flavors. But yes running NetGuard isn’t ideal in many scenarios.

          • kipo@lemm.eeEnglish
            2·
            7 hours ago

            Oh right! And I forgot that an app called AfWall+ also blocks network connections on a per-app basis and can be active all the time. There’s even a magisk module called ‘afwall boot antileak’ so that nothing gets network access before AfWall does.

    • GissaMittJobb@lemmy.ml
      44·
      2 days ago

      Feel free to decompile them - it’s all there in the APK, you don’t have to live in doubt.

      • fubbernuckin@lemmy.dbzer0.comEnglish
        9·
        2 days ago

        You know, assuming they have a background with years of coding experience and have the necessary knowledge to decompile a program and the necessary free time to reverse engineer the gibberish the decompiler spits out only for it all to be for nothing before they even finish because a new version was released.