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Degoogled phones running privacy oriented OS

de-googled.com

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Re: Degoogled phones running privacy oriented OS

#51

Post by _8j50 »

See, my frustration is, apps can still track you even with all this and copperheados or whatever. And you still get pwned no matter what. If you have to use android I agree, this is the way to go but all I would be doing is giving myself false assurances of privacy and security if I believed there is a significant difference in effective security or privacy if I just used an iPhone that is better supported,nicer UX and nicer (quality) hardware.

I prefer to treat smartphones as hostile devices and move important data elsewhere to retain control.

Re: Degoogled phones running privacy oriented OS

#52

Post by b112 »

fsflover wrote: post #47
b112 wrote: post #43

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I would be happy to try Librem 5, but I looked at the specs a few days ago, and just... It was mid-spec a half decade ago, and hasn't changed since. You're really paying a lot for that old hardware. This won't help adoption.

iPhones are very high-spec, but you can't really run anything serious on them due to the walled garden. What are you going to do with this phone?

A lot less with lower specs, than the higher end specs I deserve. That's what people will think, as soon as they see them.

Re: Degoogled phones running privacy oriented OS

#55

Post by kornhole »

sharikous wrote: post #30
uo21tp5hoyg wrote: post #5

The US government has really shaken my trust in services like these (which I guess is their ultimate goal). With the risk that these "secure devices" type sellers are fronts I think it's best practice for anyone wanting a de-googeled device to just buy one of these phones in store with cash and then load the custom OS themselves, it requires the level of technical knowledge you'd need to even know you'd want somethin…

The Google threat you can still mitigate or even escape. The US government one you can't. Sorry. As much as I wish I were wrong, the hardware is probably backdoored, so no custom OS will save you. Even if it weren't a phone by design has to communicate with radio towers (backdoored) and even if you get the most secure phone in the world you still have to communicate and pay for some exotic hardware. Guess who will ge…

The telcos can be mitigated by using burner SIM's that you rarely turn on. Use VOIP numbers with SIP phone clients. Only turn off airplane mode when needed.

I know somebody who refuses to use any encryption anywhere because he is worried that he will raise suspicion.

Re: Degoogled phones running privacy oriented OS

#56

Post by 3np »

GeneralMaximus wrote: post #25
fsflover wrote: post #19

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> I think it's best practice for anyone wanting a de-googeled device to just buy one of these phones in store with cash and then load the custom OS themselves The best practice is to abandon locked down Android phones and switch to GNU/Linux phones (Librem 5 and Pinephone).

Linux phones are entirely impractical for most people. I live in India, and there are several apps I need to use to access government services that only work on iOS and Android. Some services aren't even available over the Web. We're at a point where any successful mobile OS will at least need to support running Android apps, preferably directly from the Play Store. I suspect this is one of the reasons Microsoft is a…

One option would be to keep an iPhone or Android strictly for such apps but keep your personal browsing/email/IM/etc off it.

Re: Degoogled phones running privacy oriented OS

#57

Post by QuarterReptile »

This will probably be buried because I'm too late to the party...

This website is probably just selling you the results of following a guide from a guy who goes by Michael Bazzel. He has a podcast (Privacy, Security, and OSINT show) and releases a privacy book every other year, alternating with an OSINT book. He also has good guides on his website and they sell all sorts of training.

Anyway, if you want it done right, do it yourself and know what you're getting. My understanding is that his guides are aimed at an audience significantly less technically capable than HN.

Re: Degoogled phones running privacy oriented OS

#58

Post by ramesh31 »

30367286 wrote: post #49
sharikous wrote: post #30

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The Google threat you can still mitigate or even escape. The US government one you can't. Sorry. As much as I wish I were wrong, the hardware is probably backdoored, so no custom OS will save you. Even if it weren't a phone by design has to communicate with radio towers (backdoored) and even if you get the most secure phone in the world you still have to communicate and pay for some exotic hardware. Guess who will ge…

My first “tech” job out of college was tech support for a VPN company. Brilliant little operation reselling bandwidth to folks visiting China and those who wanted to hide their traffic. One reason I really respected the CEO and CTO is that they told us specifically to never, ever promise that we made people “anonymous on the Internet.” Even when they went to no-logs — a big step for them — they still maintained that…

>“Look, if you have the US government after you, you’re already fucked. No level of encryption is going to help.”

Relevant XKCD: https://xkcd.com/538/

Re: Degoogled phones running privacy oriented OS

#59

Post by bitminers »

gostsamo wrote: post #22
ea550ff70a wrote: post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I've been driving Graphene for over a year. Absolutely amazing experience (for a degoogled phone). Kudos to the great team.

Hi, can you check the accessibility services on Graphene? Are there any screen readers?

Yes you can use Android accessibility features with Graphene such as magnification.

Re: Degoogled phones running privacy oriented OS

#60

Post by toastercat »

Been running CalyxOS on my Pixel 5 for half a year now, and it's been great. I'd advise just doing the installation yourself instead of buying a pre-configured phone, since it's not very hard if you already have a bit of technical know-how.

The only downside is I hate Android 12. :P

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