Is anyone else being offended by Google's more and more aggressive intrusive tactics?

Google keeps forcing people to use its Google+, and penalizes anyone who does not join its Google+. (Example: YouTube now is integrated with Google+; YouTube users can no longer post videos or comments without an active Google+ account.) Once you open a Google+ account, then Google wants you to give over your real name and real identity and everything, so Google can start profiling you. That is offensive. Once Google gets any of your information, it's impossible to get Google to permanently remove the information from Google.

Google is getting pushier and pushier. Most unfortunately, Android requires a Google account to use.

I've already deleted the Google+, YouTube (oh man, it's almost impossible to delete my YouTube account,) and all other Google services that are associated with my Android account. I am also deleting all my contacts on Google and moving them elsewhere. I created a "dummy" Google account for those services. So I can isolate my Android account from other Google services, and prevent Google from profiling me.

I have also stopped using Google search altogether... because Google really offends me. I've started m using Bing simply because I want to avoid Google. I'm glad I did because Bing gives away free Amazon gift cards with its Bing search points. (I shop almost exclusively on Amazon.)

I'm never using Google search again.

Also, I'm removing Google Maps, Navigator and all other Google services on my Android phone, and replacing them with other services. The only Google service I'll be using on Android is the unavoidable Google Play. Everything else, I'll avoid using Google altogether.

I may actually switch to iPhone, just because Google is seriously pissing me off.

So you're basically going to switch to another company that does the same thing. OK, I wish you all the best with that move!

As for the rest of your rant, to each his own, I actually like having things integrated and want even more of the Google services to merge (for example Google Chat with the Google+ Messenger) in order to make my life easier.

When Google asked me for my real name, I gave them a fake name.

They haven't killed me yet.

http://bloodygoodgames.com/why-dailymotion-is-better-than-youtube/

I had no idea Youtube had gone that far downhill. I haven't gone there to do anything in a very long time.

I have a Google Plus account and it's pretty goddamn useless. It's like an even suckier Facebook.

Also, they wanted me to change my name to something different. I refused and kept Foxhack. 'Cause fuck 'em if they want me to use my real name there, THIS IS MY NAME ON THE INTERNET FOR A REASON.

I agree with ktchong, Google have potential of profiling you since so much popular services are own by them (that includes DoubleClick - one of the largest ad network in internet).

I really do not know if guys and girls at Google do that, but I see no reason not to take precautions - there is no real benefit for me in giving that kind of information to anyone.

I think diversity might be the simplest answer: using Google alternatives when possible, and when not, not giving any vital info (keeveek suggested one method ;] ).

I tried using Bing (and DuckDuckGo), but unfortunately, their localized search results are not as good as Google. That is the only reason for me to still using Google Search.

Personally I hate all this "inter-connectedness" crap.

But interesting that in order to sign up for Bing rewards, you need a Facebook account!

Have you tried startpage.com? It sends search queries to Google anonymously, so you are using Google's search engine but they don't know who you are.

Noscript.

+1'd for hating Google.

Those who know me around here will already be familiar with my dislike of the company. Of the reasons (of which there are many) the main annoyance is that they do all their nasty stuff while mocking us with the motto "don't be evil".

So, alternatives: in my opinion there's only one player in town capable of keeping Google under control - Microsoft. It sounds frightening, but the once terrible gorilla smashing up our community has become the lesser of the evils. It's where I'm throwing my weight behind. I do this by using MS services like Bing for search and maps. If the search is not proving useful, I Bing the word Google, then type my search into the box that forwards it on. I like to think that I'm feeding back my disappointment to Redmond. Unfortunately it would be irresponsible of me while doing my job (which is when I search for most stuff) to not use the full range of search available to me.

Google are very nasty, and must be fought. I think Facebook and Bing are quite chummy. I seem to remember that they threw out Google, and used Bing to power all their search functionality.

Aw white people and their hatred of corporations

http://stuffwhitepeoplelike.com/2008/03/05/82-hating-corporations/

(EDIT: Not that I actually believe in the stuff the website says)

Here most people are using Yahoo! instead of Google for everything (searching stuff, Yahoo! maps, emails, they buy things on Yahoo! as well, etc etc) it is a good alternative to Google.

I'm mostly noticing that Google's search has gone to shit... is there a way to disable thesaurus? I enter a name of a game plus the word "buy", google also searches by "get" which floods results with iffy torrents and file lockers. Also, if the game has "get" action in it (like the majority of point'n'click adventures) google throws every fucking walkthrough and the kitchen sink my way. And that's not the only idiotic term replacement in their arsenal.

Startpage is a good alternative to google search, it uses google search but doesn't send your info to google. Heck the reason why I closed my youtube account was because of the push to use google+. Google doesn't seem to realize that the more they push the more they drive their users away (or at least me).

Google has gone way overboard with the information hoarding which is why i'm thinking of switching over to gmx mail. Anyone have any advice on a decent mail service that doesn't hoard your info.

Thanks for pointing out Dailymotion, I'll totally check them out :)