this post was submitted on 19 Feb 2024
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Privacy

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I created a google takeout and in that zip file I found some files containing a ton of data about me. It has logged every single page I visited while using the google search engine and chrome browser. It even logged every single time I opened an app on my old android phone. It even has VOICE RECORDINGS of me and a log of every time I used google assistant. This is just some of the data and I'm very sure there is even more data they have.

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[–] [email protected] 86 points 10 months ago (1 children)

Fortunately you can degoogle many Android phones. And stop using big tech products in general. They have a lot of issues, not only a complete lack of privacy

[–] [email protected] 23 points 10 months ago (9 children)

I might be looking into a new phone soon, what do you suggest?

[–] [email protected] 40 points 10 months ago (3 children)

A pixel, if you buy into GrapheneOS being the pinnacle of security. Otherwise, anything with an unlockable bootloader and LineagOS support.

[–] [email protected] 12 points 10 months ago (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 4 points 10 months ago
[–] [email protected] 6 points 10 months ago

It's actually quite ironic that the best phone to degoogle your life is sold by google.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 10 months ago (2 children)

Dont forget CalyxOS. IMHO better than Graphene

[–] [email protected] 4 points 10 months ago (1 children)

CalyxOS has pretty bad security. They install F-Droid and microG with root privileges, don't release updates regularly and lack many security features of GrapheneOS.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 10 months ago (1 children)

Different strokes, but I personally dont think yge Graphene devs are trustworthy, and much prefer Calyx.

I'm also not afraid of root. Its how I harden my device (eg firewall)

[–] [email protected] 0 points 10 months ago (1 children)

GrapheneOS has a built in Firewall that doesn't require root privileges. Also, you don't trust the GrapheneOS devs who arguably create one of the most secure operating systems on the planet, which is open source and can be verified by everyone, but you trust Calyx devs who regularly go months without releasing any Android security patches and include highly privileged third party apps in their operating system. Makes a lot of sense.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 10 months ago (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 2 points 10 months ago

Oh sorry, my bad. I meant it's not some third party app that has to be installed with root privileges, but rather just a well integrated part of the system, which uses Android's permission system to deny internet access.

[–] Chakravanti 3 points 10 months ago
[–] [email protected] 28 points 10 months ago (2 children)

Ironically enough, Google Pixels are great phones if you need to de-google with GrapheneOS.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 10 months ago (2 children)

I just can't buy it and support them

[–] [email protected] 10 points 10 months ago (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 7 points 10 months ago (1 children)

Shameless plug for backmarket. They're pretty solid

[–] [email protected] 2 points 10 months ago (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 2 points 10 months ago (1 children)

Depending on the state of the thing you're looking at, maybe? A pixel 6 pro goes for ~220 on backmarket and ~210 on eBay. Does eBay guarantee free 30 day returns and have a great 1 year warranty? Depends on the seller. Backmarket offers it sitewide. Id rather pay a few extra bucks to not have to fight with someone over getting my money back or my shit fixed

[–] [email protected] 1 points 10 months ago

I usually never spend more than $100 on a used phone. The $100 phones on eBay can't be found for the same price on backmarket

[–] Chakravanti 1 points 10 months ago
[–] [email protected] 13 points 10 months ago (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 6 points 10 months ago (3 children)

Can you use banking apps on it?

[–] [email protected] 4 points 10 months ago (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 4 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago)

Will this still be true after safetynet is deprecated? Not trying to be difficult, just don't want to get my hopes up.

Edit: ah its adressed in the link lol

[–] [email protected] 2 points 10 months ago (3 children)

Why would you want to use a banking app on something as insecure as a phone??!?

[–] [email protected] 5 points 10 months ago (2 children)

When your bank tells you that the code booklet will be phased out and mobile app will be the only way in the future.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 10 months ago
[–] [email protected] 2 points 10 months ago

Change banks that take security seriously

[–] [email protected] 2 points 10 months ago (1 children)

As long as you don't use some shady, unofficial ROM on a phone, most phones are actually vastly more secure than your typical Linux/Windows OS.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 10 months ago

How long is your passphrase on your phone compared to your Linux/windows OS?

A phone is designed for quick usability, which is the enemy of security.

Sure, if you have a 20 char password on your phone and never install any sketchy apps, then it might be ok. But the whole phone ecosystem is just less secure because its designed for convince, not security.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 10 months ago (8 children)

A phone is more secure than most desktop computers. https://youtu.be/Wd4Pa03LvLk

GrapheneOS even significantly improves Android's already pretty good security model.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 10 months ago

Here is an alternative Piped link(s):

https://piped.video/Wd4Pa03LvLk

Piped is a privacy-respecting open-source alternative frontend to YouTube.

I'm open-source; check me out at GitHub.

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[–] [email protected] 11 points 10 months ago

If you want a normie phone that you can install a privacy-focused OS on, Google Pixel is a surprisingly good option. Just take a look at the LineageOS's and GrapheneOS's officially supported devices lists before purchasing a specific model. You can also choose Xiaomi or Motorola but you won't be able to lock the bootloader with a custom OS installed on that phones which can create some vulnerabilities. If you want to run Linux on your phone though, you either need a PinePhone or a OnePlus 6 series

[–] [email protected] 8 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago)

Look for DivestOS supported devices. What I cannot recommend is Fairphone. Several Hardware issues, support refuses to accept them. The support in general is horrible.

Kind regards
A Fairphone 4 user with /e/OS

[–] [email protected] 7 points 10 months ago (1 children)

Look at which devices are supported my grapheneos, calyxos, /e/os and ubuntu touch/droidian and get the newest one of those that you can afford. Usually a google pixel (ironically) but also fairphone are well supported and are better IMO.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 10 months ago (1 children)

Ubunto Touch is still a thing? Does it get updated forever like normal Linux distros do?

[–] [email protected] 2 points 10 months ago

Yeah buddy. It's still getting updates; for how long though depends on the developers of course. Use it and bung them a donation! You can even install full Linux apps on it via Libertine, although it's slightly easier on Droidian IIRC. Very, very cool stuff.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 10 months ago

I bought a fairphone 4 awhile ago from Murena, the only US distributor. Other phones have more bells and whistles but I feel better knowing I can repair it if something goes wrong. If you're in Europe the FP5 is a good bet but I don't think anyone is selling them in North America. I don't know about distribution elsewhere.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 10 months ago

Get a Pixel and install a custom ROM. Any ROM is fine, just dont install gapps. You actually have to go out of your way to install google crap. By default a new install is google-free