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CalyxOS – De-Googled Android Alternative

calyxos.org

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Re: CalyxOS – De-Googled Android Alternative

#61

Post by jefftk »

spinax wrote: post #54
jefftk wrote: post #47

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> pure FOSS software (no ads, no trackers) Nit: something can be FOSS while having ads and/or tracking (telemetry)

Nit rebuttal: I was referring to the F-Droid repository which I thought was clear from context. These elements are scanned for and apps called out (tagged) should they contain something not-free, even connecting to network services like Reddit or Twitter. The are referred to as Anti-Features: https://f-droid.org/en/docs/Anti-Features/

Sorry! I understood you to be saying that the definition of FOSS includes no ads or trackers, and I wanted to make sure no one was misled by that.

Additionally, as you say, the F-droid repository does contain apps with those properties; they're labeled, not excluded.

Re: CalyxOS – De-Googled Android Alternative

#62

Post by codegladiator »

fitblipper wrote: post #28

The thing which always makes me hesitant about these projects is that they don't receive frequent security audits and not having an expensive brand behind them makes them more at risk to being willing to trash their name at the cost of my privacy and security. I consider these to be a fairly critical part of any project which claims superior privacy and security. I think about it this way: Should I trust A. The compa…

> The thing which always makes me hesitant about these projects is that they don't receive frequent security audits and not having an expensive brand behind them makes them more at risk

Why are you looking for alternatives ? or are you even

Re: CalyxOS – De-Googled Android Alternative

#63

Post by enriquto »

tkzed49 wrote: post #56
dheera wrote: post #48

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> B. The small group of people who have formed an organization which may or may not be another Anom like FBI controlled software. Um, this project is 100% open source, unlike Google's flavor of Android. If there are backdoors to the FBI they will be exposed in due time. https://gitlab.com/CalyxOS That said I'd love to understand how it compares to LineageOS.

I just don't buy this take. There's so much code; how can you be certain it will face sufficient scrutiny just by virtue of being available?

you cannot be certain, but at least the code has the chance to be publicly scrutinized. This is not the case at all with google binaries, so you have a net, objective gain.

Re: CalyxOS – De-Googled Android Alternative

#64

Post by atatatat »

dheera wrote: post #48
fitblipper wrote: post #28

The thing which always makes me hesitant about these projects is that they don't receive frequent security audits and not having an expensive brand behind them makes them more at risk to being willing to trash their name at the cost of my privacy and security. I consider these to be a fairly critical part of any project which claims superior privacy and security. I think about it this way: Should I trust A. The compa…

> B. The small group of people who have formed an organization which may or may not be another Anom like FBI controlled software. Um, this project is 100% open source, unlike Google's flavor of Android. If there are backdoors to the FBI they will be exposed in due time. https://gitlab.com/CalyxOS That said I'd love to understand how it compares to LineageOS.

Well, Calyx keeps the basic security model of Android intact (verified boot), unlike Lineage.

Re: CalyxOS – De-Googled Android Alternative

#65

Post by atatatat »

tkzed49 wrote: post #56
dheera wrote: post #48

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> B. The small group of people who have formed an organization which may or may not be another Anom like FBI controlled software. Um, this project is 100% open source, unlike Google's flavor of Android. If there are backdoors to the FBI they will be exposed in due time. https://gitlab.com/CalyxOS That said I'd love to understand how it compares to LineageOS.

I just don't buy this take. There's so much code; how can you be certain it will face sufficient scrutiny just by virtue of being available?

This is a valid criticism.

Upstream being AOSP helps a lot.

Re: CalyxOS – De-Googled Android Alternative

#67

Post by godelski »

grey_earthling wrote: post #16

From https://calyxos.org/about/ : > In social science, agency is defined as: the capacity of individuals to act independently and to make their own free choices. > built-in integration for Signal and WhatsApp calls Signal and WhatsApp are both fully centralised, tied to a single organisation each — they are antithetical to agency. Why not use open protocols like DeltaChat, Matrix or XMPP instead? > built-in free “Vir…

> Why not use open protocols like DeltaChat, Matrix or XMPP instead?

Because Signal and WhatsApp are text/messanger replacements and Matrix is a slack/discord replacement? I'm not sure why there's the constant Signal vs Matrix battle here on HN, I see them as different tools doing different things. I'm not going to create or get all my friends to join a server with Matrix. Or even coworkers or random acquaintances I meet. But I can get their phone number and quickly communicate with them on Signal/WA. I don't see why Signal and Matrix have to be in competition. Just the same way I don't see Slack/Discord in competition with Text Messaging or FB Messenger.

Re: CalyxOS – De-Googled Android Alternative

#68

Post by spinax »

jefftk wrote: post #61
spinax wrote: post #54

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Nit rebuttal: I was referring to the F-Droid repository which I thought was clear from context. These elements are scanned for and apps called out (tagged) should they contain something not-free, even connecting to network services like Reddit or Twitter. The are referred to as Anti-Features: https://f-droid.org/en/docs/Anti-Features/

Sorry! I understood you to be saying that the definition of FOSS includes no ads or trackers, and I wanted to make sure no one was misled by that. Additionally, as you say, the F-droid repository does contain apps with those properties; they're labeled, not excluded.

Trivia: by default (unless it has changed upstream), the F-Droid app defaults to "Include anti-feature apps: Off" in the Settings. The user must go in there and manually opt-in to see all the anti-feature apps on the mobile client.

Re: CalyxOS – De-Googled Android Alternative

#69

Post by dcow »

If you're unfamiliar with the context: Calyx Institute is a 501(c)(3) with a digital privacy and security mission. For a while they've offered, for a few hundred dollars a year donation, unmetered access to sprint's network. I don't know the details but I think they have retained access to the network through the merger due to some non-profit provision (something like the sprint merger was allowed with stipulation that certain agencies using the network for certain purposes would be grandfathered over). There's apparently more history related to the founder previously running an ISP under gag order, which drives their mission.

Access to the network is only possible through wifi pucks. I asked if I could register the IMEI of my ThinkPad's modem/radio, but they wouldn't allow it citing the usual "we are responsible for the behavior of the devices on the network so you have to use our certified device". Sadly, these phones do not participate in Calyx's data network, they require a traditional carrier. Maybe it's part of their roadmap to eventually offer their data services on these handset form factor devices? But until then, I don't see a huge point. It would be really awesome to say "I get my network access through a privacy oriented non-profit" (:

Re: CalyxOS – De-Googled Android Alternative

#70

Post by atatatat »

terhechte wrote: post #7
kiawe_fire wrote: post #4

Anybody have experience using something like this (or others like GrapheneOS) as a daily driver? I’m interested in moving away from Apple and big tech in general, but I don’t know how practical that is yet.

I'm using GrapheneOS on a second device for various reasons. The biggest issue for me is that not all apps work / run. However, I have limited app requirements, so that is fine. If you want to run all social networks, Uber, Lyft, and so on, there might be the one or other that doesn't work (I didn't try them all). However, you can always use the mobile web offering I guess. In terms of classical smartphone features,…

What apps haven't worked for you on GrapheneOS, from Aurora Store?
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