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Android launches yet another way to spy on users with “Privacy Sandbox” beta

arstechnica.com

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Re: Android launches yet another way to spy on users with “Privacy Sandbox” beta

#111

Post by SahAssar »

bacchusracine wrote: post #104
fsflover wrote: post #99

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You indeed can connect Librem 5 to any keyboard, mouse, and screen and use it as a desktop.

>You indeed can connect Librem 5 to any keyboard, mouse, and screen and use it as a desktop. You have my attention. .... [goes and looks it up] Niiiiice. Reads more... https://puri.sm/posts/what-is-mobile-pureos/ The only problem I'm seeing is this is all Gnome and I'm a big Mate desktop guy. I wouldn't really have a desktop replacement unless I could get the traditional desktop back. Still this situation is a much b…

I'm pretty sure you can start mate on it when you are plugged into keyboard/display/mouse. You just wouldn't have a smooth switch between phone and desktop.

Re: Android launches yet another way to spy on users with “Privacy Sandbox” beta

#112

Post by lern_too_spel »

GeekyBear wrote: post #105
codemac wrote: post #51

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> refusing to block tracking You realize that Apple is still doing the tracking, just not allowing third parties?

Tracking logged on users in first party apps is something everyone can do. Not just Apple.

The difference is you have no choice but to use these Apple apps with tracking.

Re: Android launches yet another way to spy on users with “Privacy Sandbox” beta

#113

Post by jacooper »

wkat4242 wrote: post #110
jacooper wrote: post #58

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I would recommend a Pixel with GrapheneOS or calyx. You get the usability of Android with (optional)sandboxes google services/microg. Almost all apps work and its really usable.

The problem is really the apps. Most play store apps are absolutely riddled with tracking libraries, even if you get them from Aurora store. You can block some of their access but it's hard from airtight.

Better than nothing.

Re: Android launches yet another way to spy on users with “Privacy Sandbox” beta

#114

Post by chainingsolid »

bacchusracine wrote: post #66
fsflover wrote: post #61

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I can run Android apps with Waydroid on my Librem 5, and I also get the benefits of a full desktop OS on my phone.

>on my Librem 5 Sounds interesting. Goes and looks it up. >>From: $1,999.00 You must be joking...

If your actually interested Pine64 has cheaper offerings, for a Linux first phone. The original pinephone is only ~$200.

Re: Android launches yet another way to spy on users with “Privacy Sandbox” beta

#115

Post by cuteboy19 »

boring_twenties wrote: post #101
jqpabc123 wrote: post #91

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yes, some banking apps do this. The simple solution --- install the bank's web site as an app. Go to the site, click the browser menu button (3 dots on Android or up arrow on iOS) and select "Add to Home Screen". You now have a link icon on your phone that looks and acts just like any other app. Some banks (Chase for example) offer a "Progress Web App" which removes the browser interface elements so the causal observ…

I am able to use Chase's app on my LineageOS + Magisk rooted device. The annoying part is that they seem to disable fingerprint login, so now I have to copy/paste the password every time.

Surely bitwarden can help

Re: Android launches yet another way to spy on users with “Privacy Sandbox” beta

#116

Post by GeekyBear »

lern_too_spel wrote: post #112
GeekyBear wrote: post #105

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Tracking logged on users in first party apps is something everyone can do. Not just Apple.

The difference is you have no choice but to use these Apple apps with tracking.

> According to an analysis by StockApps.com, out of the five major digital firms (Google, Twitter, Apple, Amazon, and Facebook.) Google harvests the most data on its users. The corporation collects thirty-nine data points for each user.

Apple is in a league above Amazon in protecting user privacy. It is the most privacy-conscious firm out there. Apple only stores the information that is necessary to maintain users’ accounts.

https://stockapps.com/blog/google-tracks-39-types-of-private...

Re: Android launches yet another way to spy on users with “Privacy Sandbox” beta

#117

Post by blep_ »

iforgotpassword wrote: post #97
madduci wrote: post #79

Earlier quoted context omitted.

After all the crap that Google put in Android, I still don't understand why some other alternative ecosystems like Ubuntu Phone or GrapheneOS or Mankato (PinePhone) aren't attractive for users and developers. What's holding everyone back? I understand that without users there won't be apps, but also without apps there won't be users, since they offer just the basics. Imagine if TikTok or WhatsApp have had an app for…

It is the Apps, and you perfectly summarized how it's a feedback loop. It wasn't the only reason why Windows phone failed, but it was one of them, even though Microsoft threw money at companies to at least have the most important apps available from pretty much day one. The app store still was pathetic and a lot of basic quality of life apps missing. And they kept going for what, 6 years before they announced they'll…

> as long as they don't depend on the Google services

A surprising and hilarious number of things, including some of Google's own apps, show "X won't work unless you enable Google Play Services" popups and then continue working just fine. (I'm guessing they link against some client library that shows that on all function calls, but then doesn't throw an exception.)

Re: Android launches yet another way to spy on users with “Privacy Sandbox” beta

#118

Post by lakomen »

JohnFen wrote: post #68

I have a bunch of issues with the "Privacy Sandbox", but my #1 issue is that it's called "Privacy Sandbox". That term implies that a sandbox is being used to preserve your privacy, when it is, in fact, a system designed for the opposite of that.

How I hate this war is peace "newspeech" . I don't even know what it's called. Anti speech? Lying ?

Re: Android launches yet another way to spy on users with “Privacy Sandbox” beta

#119

Post by lern_too_spel »

GeekyBear wrote: post #116
lern_too_spel wrote: post #112

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The difference is you have no choice but to use these Apple apps with tracking.

> According to an analysis by StockApps.com, out of the five major digital firms (Google, Twitter, Apple, Amazon, and Facebook.) Google harvests the most data on its users. The corporation collects thirty-nine data points for each user. Apple is in a league above Amazon in protecting user privacy. It is the most privacy-conscious firm out there. Apple only stores the information that is necessary to maintain users’ a…

Apple stores data on who reads what articles in its News app to target ads. It stores data on who downloads which apps in the App Store to show ads. It will do more and more of this. Unlike Android, iPhone offers no other source for apps, and it does not let you uninstall the News app. User choice is required for real privacy. By that measure (for users who care about privacy and choose apps accordingly), Apple is the worst choice for privacy.

Re: Android launches yet another way to spy on users with “Privacy Sandbox” beta

#120

Post by ufmace »

tholdem wrote: post #109
ufmace wrote: post #95

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Well if you really want a phone that's secure and private, prove it by paying for it. Mass production and the ability to sell your data to advertisers means the stuff that does that will always be cheaper.

How does the Librem 5 support verified boot? What about user data encryption? Those are the first, most basic security features I am expecting from a smartphone. How about app sandboxes and strict MAC policies?

Beats me, I dunno if it does. But if it actually has no ad network tracking, that's more than any other platform, and could easily be worth the extra cost if you actually care about that.

Lots and lots of people say they don't want to be tracked by ad companies. But how many are willing to open their wallets to make it happen? I'd say you can judge how sincere their commitment is by that.

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