Digitalmente atrapados: la omnipresencia de Google y su tupida red de interdependencias

Las jaulas de cristal nos asfixian y Google es, quizá, la más omnipresente y de la que parece imposible salir desde la perspectiva de un simple ciudadano de a pie.

Feb 3, 2025 - 08:25

Digitalmente atrapados: la omnipresencia de Google y su tupida red de interdependencias

Hace unos días leía a través de Tech Transparency Project (un proyecto que busca que las grandes tecnológicas sean más transparentes y auditables) un artículo que refleja la evidencia actual sobre lo complicado de darse de baja, en la práctica, de gigantes tan omnipresentes como Google: Quitting Google. ¿Qué nos viene a decir? Que es prácticamente imposible irse de una maraña de servicios como los que ofrece esta gigante tecnológico y salir indemne. Ahora que tenemos una corriente de opinión muy clara respecto a la lamentable deriva, por ejemplo, de las las redes sociales de los oligarcas Musk y Zuckerberg, otro caso quizá tan más brutal o más es el de Google. Las jaulas de cristal nos asfixian y Google es, quizá, la más omnipresente y de la que parece imposible salir desde la perspectiva de un simple ciudadano de a pie.

El artículo que cito plantea estos pasos para abandonar Google y añade explicaciones de lo que implica. Quédate con los tres últimos pasos.

Switch Search Engines
Stop Using the Chrome Browser
Delete your Gmail account
Dump Android
Delete all Google apps from your iPhone
Purge other Google hardware
Don’t use Waze or Nest Products
Don’t visit the house of anyone with Nest Products or Google Home
Don’t email anyone with a Gmail account
Don’t call or text anyone who has an Android phone
Don’t use the web

La conclusión : no vas a poder dejar Google

Por el momento, Google no recopila datos sobre lo que haces, al menos hasta donde sabemos. No está exactamente a “un clic de distancia”, pero está bien.
También vives como si fuera 1986. Veamos cuántos días puedes seguir viviendo sin usar ni entrar en contacto con un producto de Google.
Lo más grave de todo esto es que nadie debería creer en la palabra de Google cuando afirma que el uso de sus productos y servicios es totalmente opcional y que los usuarios pueden cambiar de uno a otro fácilmente en cualquier momento. El hecho es que los servicios de Google son dominantes y omnipresentes: es prácticamente imposible evitarlos en la vida moderna.

Sí, nos han atrapado. Lo han hecho a base de conseguir nuestros datos a base de gratuidad, de ingeniería social. Es gratis, no hay que pagar. El famoso truco de siempre. Todo sigue teniendo que ver con el valor social del dinero. Las barreras de entrada caen. No hay que pagar: barra libre. Ahí entramos en manada. Y nos regocijamos de que hayamos progresado tanto. Tenemos un inmenso poder, aunque, claro, los gigantes tecnológicos disponen de muchas mas toneladas de poder que tú y que yo.

Todo tiene que ver en el fondo con las oligarquías, «una forma de gobierno en la que el poder supremo está en manos de pocas personas, generalmente de la misma clase social». La oligarquía son las grandes tecnológicas. La clase dirigente se regocija en torno a unas grandes corporaciones en las que no hay democracia que valga. Lo que vale, ya lo decíamos hace unos días, es el dinero. Y así nos va. La ciudadanía, a base de ingeniería social, ha caído en sus trampas. Vivimos dentro de un planeta llamado Google S.A. Un simple mortal no sabe hasta dónde llegan sus tentáculos. Están por todas partes. Así pues, estamos digitalmente atrapados. ¿De verdad todo pinta tan feo ahora mismo?

Me he tomado la molestia de copiar/pegar la lista de productos y servicios de Google y mostrarte también el universo de Alphabet, Inc., el conglomerado en el que se inserta Google en la actualidad. Esto es lo que hay. ¿Qué te parece?

El conglomerado de servicios de Google

Fecha de actualización: 3/2/2025. Fuente: Wikipedia.

Productos basados en la web

Herramientas de búsqueda

Google Search: A web search engine and Google’s core product.
Google Alerts: An email notification service that sends alerts based on chosen search terms whenever it finds new results. Alerts include web results, Google Groups results, news, and videos.
Google Assistant: A virtual assistant.
Gemini: A conversational generative artificial intelligence chatbot.
Google Books: A search engine for books.
Google Dataset Search: Allows searching for datasets in data repositories and local and national government websites.
Google Flights: A search engine for flight tickets.
Google Images: A search engine for images online.
Google Shopping: A search engine to search for products across online shops.
Google Travel: A trip planner service.
Google Videos: A search engine for videos.

Agrupaciones de artículos, obras creativas, documentos o medios

Google Arts & Culture: An online platform to view artworks and cultural artifacts.
Google Books: A website that lists published books and hosts a large, searchable selection of scanned books.
Google Finance: Searchable US business news, opinions, and financial data.
Google News: Automated news compilation service and search engine for news in more than 20 languages.
Google Patents: A search engine to search through millions of patents, each result with its own page, including drawings, claims, and citations.
Google Scholar: A search engine for the full text of scholarly literature across an array of publishing formats and scholarly fields. Includes virtually all peer-reviewed journals.
YouTube: A video hosting website.

Servicios de publicidad

Google Ads: An online advertising platform.
AdMob: A mobile advertising network.
Google AdSense: A contextual advertising program for web publishers that delivers text-based advertisements that are relevant to site content pages.
Google Ad Manager: An advertisement exchange platform.
Google Marketing Platform: An online advertising and analytics platform.
Google Tag Manager: A tag management system to manage JavaScript and HTML tags, including web beacons, for web tracking and analytics.
Local Service Ads: An online advertising platform for lead generations that provide local businesses with a Google guaranteed green check mark.

Herramientas de comunicación y publicación

Blogger: A weblog publishing tool.
FeedBurner: A tool in web feed management services, including feed traffic analysis and advertising facilities.
Google Chat: An instant messaging software with the capability of creating multi-user «rooms».
Google Saved: A collections app.
Google Classroom: A content management system for schools that aids in the distribution and grading of assignments and provides in-class communication.
Google Fonts: A webfont hosting service.
Google Groups: An online discussion service that also offers Usenet access.
Google Meet: A video conferencing platform.
Google Voice: A VoIP system that provides a phone number that can be forwarded to actual phone lines.
Google Sites: A webpage creation and publication tool.

Herramientas de productividad

Gmail: An email service.
Google Account: Controls how a user appears and presents themselves on Google products.
Google Calendar: An online calendar with Gmail integration, calendar sharing, and a «quick add» function to create events using natural language.
Google Charts: An interactive, web-based chart image generation from user-supplied JavaScript.
Google Docs Editors: A productivity office suite with document collaboration and publishing capabilities.
Google Drive: A file hosting service with synchronisation option; tightly integrated with Google Docs Editors.
Google Translate: A service that allows carrying out machine translation of any text or web page between pairs of languages.
Google Keep: A note-taking service.
Google Drawings: A diagramming software.
Google Slides: A presentation editing software.
Google Sheets: A spreadsheet editing software.

Productos relacionados con mapas

Google Maps: A mapping service that indexes streets and displays satellite and street-level imagery, providing directions and local business search.
Google My Maps: A social custom map making tool based on Google Maps.
Google Earth: A virtual 3D globe that uses satellite imagery, aerial photography, GIS from Google’s repository.
Google Street View: Provides interactive panoramas from positions along many streets in the world.
Google Santa Tracker: Simulates tracking Santa Claus on Christmas Eve.
Google Moon: NASA imagery of the moon through the Google Maps interface.
Google Mars: Imagery of Mars using the Google Maps interface.

Sistemas operativos

Android: A Linux-based operating system for mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets, developed by Google and the Open Handset Alliance.
Wear OS: A version of Android designed for smartwatches and other wearable items.
Android Auto: A version of Android optimized for automobiles, offering enhanced connectivity and in-car experience.
Android TV: A version of Android tailored for smart TVs, offering apps, games, and content streaming.
Google Cast: A version of Google Cast powering some Google Nest devices.
ChromeOS: A Linux-based operating system designed for web applications and lightweight devices.^[1]
Fitbit OS: An operating system developed for Fitbit devices.
Fuchsia: An operating system based on the Zircon kernel.

Aplicaciones de escritorio

AdWords Editor: A desktop application to manage Google AdWords accounts; enables users to make campaign changes offline before synchronizing with the online service.
Drive File Stream: File synchronization software for the business edition of Google Drive.
Google Chrome: A popular web browser developed by Google.
Google IME: An input method editor allowing users to enter text in supported languages using a Roman keyboard.^[2]
Google Japanese Input: A Japanese input method editor.
Android Studio: An integrated development environment (IDE) designed for Android app development.
Google Web Designer: A WYSIWYG editor for creating rich HTML5 pages and ads optimized for various devices.
Backup and Sync: Client software that synchronizes files between a user’s computer and Google Drive.
Tilt Brush: A virtual reality painting application designed for the Vive and Oculus Rift.
Google Trends Screensaver: A screensaver for macOS displaying the latest Google Trends in a customizable, colorful grid.
Chrome Remote Desktop: A desktop and browser application enabling users to remotely access another Windows, Mac, or Linux system.

Otros

Jigsaw: Google Jigsaw is a technology incubator that develops tools and strategies to address global security challenges, including combating online harassment, disinformation, and censorship, while promoting digital safety and open access to information.

Hardware

Dispositivos

Nexus One: 3.7″ phone running Android 2.3 «Gingerbread»
Nexus S: 4″ phone running Android 4.1 «Jelly Bean»
Nest Learning Thermostat (first generation): Smart thermostat
Galaxy Nexus: 4.7″ phone running Android 4.3 «Jelly Bean»
Nexus Q: Media streaming entertainment device in the Google Nexus product family
Nexus 7 (2012): 7″ tablet running Android 5.1 «Lollipop»
Nexus 10: 10″ tablet running Android 5.1 «Lollipop»
Nest Learning Thermostat (second generation): Smart thermostat
Nexus 4: 4.7″ phone running Android 5.1 «Lollipop»
Chromebook Pixel (2013): Laptop running ChromeOS
Nexus 7 (2013): 7″ tablet running Android 6.0 «Marshmallow»
Nexus 5: 4.95″ phone running Android 6.0 «Marshmallow»
Nest Protect (first generation): Smoke alarm
Nexus 6: 5.96″ phone running Android 7.1.1 «Nougat»^[3]
Nexus 9: 9″ tablet running Android 7.1 «Nougat»
Nexus Player: Streaming media player running Android 8.0 «Oreo»
Chromebook Pixel (2015): Laptop running ChromeOS
Nest Cam Indoor: Security camera
Nest Protect (second generation): Smoke alarm
Nest Learning Thermostat (third generation): Smart thermostat
Nexus 5X: 5″ phone running Android 8.1 «Oreo»
Nexus 6P: 5.7″ phone running Android 8.1 «Oreo»
Pixel C: 10.2″ convertible tablet running Android 8.1 «Oreo»
Nest Cam Outdoor: Security camera
Pixel: 5″ smartphone running Android 10
Pixel XL: 5.5″ smartphone running Android 10
Daydream View (first generation): Virtual reality headset for smartphones
Google Home: Smart speaker
Google Wifi: Wireless router
Nest Cam IQ Indoor: Security camera
Nest Thermostat E: Smart thermostat
Nest Hello: Smart video doorbell
Nest Cam IQ Outdoor: Security camera
Nest × Yale: Smart lock
Pixel 2: 5″ smartphone running Android 11
Pixel 2 XL: 6″ smartphone running Android 11
Daydream View (second generation): Virtual reality headset for smartphones
Home Mini: Smart speaker
Home Max: Smart speaker
Pixel Buds (first generation): Wireless earbuds
Pixelbook: Laptop running ChromeOS
Pixel 3: 5.5″ smartphone running Android 11
Pixel 3 XL: 6.3″ smartphone running Android 11
Pixel Slate: 2-in-1 PC running ChromeOS
Pixel Stand: Wireless charger
Nest Hub: Smart display
Stadia Controller: Gaming controller for Stadia
Pixel 3a: 5.6″ smartphone running Android 11
Pixel 3a XL: 6″ smartphone running Android 11
Nest Hub Max: Smart display
Pixel 4: 5.7″ smartphone running Android 11
Pixel 4 XL: 6.3″ smartphone running Android 11
Pixelbook Go: Laptop running ChromeOS
Nest Mini: Smart speaker
Nest Wifi: Wireless router
Pixel Buds (second generation): Wireless earbuds
Pixel 4a: 5.8″ smartphone running Android 11
Pixel 4a (5G): 6.2″ smartphone running Android 11
Pixel 5: 6″ smartphone running Android 11
Nest Audio: Smart speaker
Nest Thermostat: Smart thermostat
Pixel Buds A-Series: Wireless earbuds
Pixel 5a: 6.3″ smartphone running Android 11
Pixel 6: 6.4″ smartphone running Android 12
Pixel 6 Pro: 6.7″ smartphone running Android 12
Pixel 6a: 6.1″ smartphone running Android 12
Pixel 7: 6.3″ smartphone running Android 13
Pixel 7 Pro: 6.7″ smartphone running Android 13
Pixel Watch: Smartwatch
Pixel Tablet: Tablet
Pixel 7a: 6.1″ smartphone running Android 13
Pixel Fold: Foldable smartphone
Pixel 8: 6.2″ smartphone running Android 14
Pixel 8 Pro: 6.7″ smartphones running Android 14
Pixel Watch 2: Smartwatch
Pixel 8a: 6.1″ smartphone running Android 14
Pixel 9: 6.3″ smartphone running Android 14
Pixel 9 Pro: 6.3″ smartphone running Android 14
Pixel 9 Pro XL: 6.8″ smartphone running Android 14
Pixel 9 Pro Fold: Foldable smartphone running Android 14
Pixel Watch 3: Smartwatch
Pixel Buds Pro 2: Wireless earbuds

Procesadores

Servicios

Google Cloud Platform: A modular cloud-based service for software development.
Google Crisis Response: A public project covering disasters, turmoils, and other emergencies with alerts.
Google Fi Wireless: A MVNO offering simple plans and pricing.
Google Get Your Business Online: Aims to increase the web presence of small businesses and cities, offering advice on search engine optimization and maintaining updated business profiles.^[4]
Google Public DNS: A publicly accessible DNS server.
Google Person Finder: An open-source tool to help people reconnect with others after a disaster.
Google Firebase: A real-time database providing an API for developers to store and sync data across multiple clients.
Google Cast: A platform to display entertainment and apps from a phone, tablet, or laptop directly on a TV or speakers.^[5]
Google Pay: A digital wallet platform and online payment system.
YouTube TV: An over-the-top internet television service offering live TV.