Live data from Hacker News

GrapheneOS and forensic extraction of data (2024)

discuss.grapheneos.org

61–70 of 208 posts

Re: GrapheneOS and forensic extraction of data (2024)

#61
post #32

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Curious if you've already read the comprehensive FAQ entry and are trying to imply something?

Kind of. I don't use grapheneOS and I'd like to, but de-googling your phone by buying a Google phone seems a bit sketchy. I don't want to take away from a privacy focused project. I'm super thankful for this option and I can't stand android or iPhone. But in the back of my mind I wonder if I'm being tricked.

As for why graphene uses graphene uses pixels - their FAQ does a good job explaining. As for why google keeps the bootloader opened and maintains (until recently) good enough device-tree support- I would guess mostly historical reasons? Before becoming as mainstream as they are now nexus and pixel phones used to be in part android development devices and certain creature comforts stuck. This seems to be souring though, so some of the people there may be in talks with an OEM for a graphene os specific device[1].

[1]: https://discuss.grapheneos.org/d/23886-partnership-between-g...

Re: GrapheneOS and forensic extraction of data (2024)

#62
post #57

This kinds of make me want to get a pixel and install GrafeneOS there. I'll admit that big companies may have some incentive to protect their users' privacy; but they are an easy legal target. If tomorrow the US or EU pass legislation that mandates a backdoor in all mobile devices, the entire world is screwed.

My last pixel (4a) started falling apart after about a year and a half. Is there an android device that's a bit more hardy? I switched back to apple as I was able to use an SE for YEARS. Would love to try running GrapheneOS, though.

Re: GrapheneOS and forensic extraction of data (2024)

#63

I've always found it strange that GrapheneOS only runs on Google hardware. Can anyone explain this choice?

They've clearly explained here. I'm not sure how many people would keep asking the same question without even doing a simple web search. https://grapheneos.org/faq#future-devices

not sure if it is an explanation or a justification

Re: GrapheneOS and forensic extraction of data (2024)

#64
post #35
post #24

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Aside from the fact that there's a subjective definition problem here (how do we decide what people "need"?), I think this an unrealistic view. By this definition, every government that has ever existed or ever will exist is a "bad" government because no government can ever tackle every single problem 100% of the time. Many problems are extremely difficult to solve (e.g. global warming), and others simply cannot be s…

> Sure, you can tax more up to a point, but eventually that tap runs dry and you're forced to reallocate existing resources. Since the 1980s, we have been consistently taxing less. If the tap is dry, it isn't because of over-taxation - it's because there's a reservoir of wealth hoarded by the relatively few. A even cursory glance at the trajectory of wealth distribution will make that clear.

> Since the 1980s, we have been consistently taxing less.

In the US at least, that’s the perception because the tax cuts get a lot more publicity than the increases; everyone know that Reagan passed what was, to that time, the biggest (at least in aggregate nominal terms) tax cut in US history, fewer know that he followed it with the biggest increase.

But what has actually happened is a series of tax burden shifts (often, downward from the wealthiest, though some have been the other way or largely orthogonal to wealth.)

Re: GrapheneOS and forensic extraction of data (2024)

#65

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Kind of. I don't use grapheneOS and I'd like to, but de-googling your phone by buying a Google phone seems a bit sketchy. I don't want to take away from a privacy focused project. I'm super thankful for this option and I can't stand android or iPhone. But in the back of my mind I wonder if I'm being tricked.

As for why graphene uses graphene uses pixels - their FAQ does a good job explaining. As for why google keeps the bootloader opened and maintains (until recently) good enough device-tree support- I would guess mostly historical reasons? Before becoming as mainstream as they are now nexus and pixel phones used to be in part android development devices and certain creature comforts stuck. This seems to be souring thoug…

This is great info. Thanks.

Re: GrapheneOS and forensic extraction of data (2024)

#66
post #4

There is no such thing like "bad government" and "good government". I mean - it really depends on people's views, therefore we must not blissfully put our data into govt hands because "they will protect us from terrorists and child rapists". What they will do, actually, is that for sure they will abuse innocent citizens at some point of time. They will. Even if they don't, they will. Or maybe they are doing it right…

Or more likely, regardless of intentions, they will accidentally let it fall into a bad actors hands.

Re: GrapheneOS and forensic extraction of data (2024)

#67
post #51

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I wish this as well. I make a userdebug build myself to get adb root, which isn't difficult, but would be a lot nicer if it were officially supported.

That's interesting. Can you share a guide for doing that?

You can just follow the official build instructions with a single change: when specifying the build target, change it from -user to -userdebug:

https://grapheneos.org/build#setting-up-the-os-build-environ...

Re: GrapheneOS and forensic extraction of data (2024)

#68
post #4

There is no such thing like "bad government" and "good government". I mean - it really depends on people's views, therefore we must not blissfully put our data into govt hands because "they will protect us from terrorists and child rapists". What they will do, actually, is that for sure they will abuse innocent citizens at some point of time. They will. Even if they don't, they will. Or maybe they are doing it right…

Time for a Bitcoin moment, but for governments.

Re: GrapheneOS and forensic extraction of data (2024)

#69
post #57

This kinds of make me want to get a pixel and install GrafeneOS there. I'll admit that big companies may have some incentive to protect their users' privacy; but they are an easy legal target. If tomorrow the US or EU pass legislation that mandates a backdoor in all mobile devices, the entire world is screwed.

Very affordable to do.

I bought a cheap refurbished Pixel 7 Pro off eBay for $250 and installed GrapheneOS on it. Threw an eSim $20/m plan on it and use it as my phone when I leave the house and go IRL.

If I ever lose it or it gets taken while traveling, who cares, its secure af. I just cancel my eSim and buy another phone to install GrapheneOS on all while my main phone Pixel 10 Pro is still safe and at home.

Re: GrapheneOS and forensic extraction of data (2024)

#70
post #57

This kinds of make me want to get a pixel and install GrafeneOS there. I'll admit that big companies may have some incentive to protect their users' privacy; but they are an easy legal target. If tomorrow the US or EU pass legislation that mandates a backdoor in all mobile devices, the entire world is screwed.

My last pixel (4a) started falling apart after about a year and a half. Is there an android device that's a bit more hardy? I switched back to apple as I was able to use an SE for YEARS. Would love to try running GrapheneOS, though.

My wife uses her Pixel 4a to this day. I moved on from mine after some problems, but a factory wipe of the 4a actually fixed all of the problems with mine too.

And you know what else is cool? If the screen gets cracked or something doesn't work, you can take it to an independent repair shop and they can fix it.

Post reply on HN