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.

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

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

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

Graphene gang representing

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

Dont forget CalyxOS. IMHO better than Graphene

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.

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)

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.

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

I just can’t buy it and support them

Buy used on Swappa/ebay

Shameless plug for backmarket. They’re pretty solid

Twice the price of ebay

GrapheneOS is amazing

Can you use banking apps on it?

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

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

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

Change banks that take security seriously

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.

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.

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

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

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.

Riiight, someone’s phone with a 4 digit pin that they tap out 100x per day in public in plain view of others (that I can easily pick out of your pocket) is more secure than a laptop with a 20 character passphrase that never leaves my house.

Do you even think about what you’re saying?

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

Toss Linux Mint on a bootable USB, fire up a live version and play around a bit. I was in the same boat and am working on fully transitioning over. The only minor hurdles are Office 365 and other Windows-only programs, but there are ways to get those to work, or just run a Windows VM.

A place to discuss privacy and freedom in the digital world.

Privacy has become a very important issue in modern society, with companies and governments constantly abusing their power, more and more people are waking up to the importance of digital privacy.

In this community everyone is welcome to post links and discuss topics related to privacy.

Some Rules

Posting a link to a website containing tracking isn’t great, if contents of the website are behind a paywall maybe copy them into the post
Don’t promote proprietary software
Try to keep things on topic
If you have a question, please try searching for previous discussions, maybe it has already been answered
Reposts are fine, but should have at least a couple of weeks in between so that the post can reach a new audience
Be nice :)

Related communities

Chat rooms

[Matrix/Element]Dead
Discord

much thanks to @gary_host_laptop for the logo design :)

I am genuinely horrified to see how much data google collected from me

Privacy

!privacy@lemmy.ml

A place to discuss privacy and freedom in the digital world.

Some Rules

Related communities

Chat rooms

Community stats

Community moderators