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.

  • GolfNovemberUniform@lemmy.ml
    87·
    9 months ago

    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

      • iSeth@lemmy.ml
        40·
        9 months ago

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

          • EpicVision@monero.town
            6·
            9 months ago

            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.

            • delirious_owl@discuss.online
              3·
              9 months ago

              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)

              • EpicVision@monero.town
                1·
                9 months ago

                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.

                  • EpicVision@monero.town
                    2·
                    9 months ago

                    Oh sorry, my bad. I meant it’s not some third party app that has to be installed with root privileges, but rather just a well integrated part of the system, which uses Android’s permission system to deny internet access.

        • Pringles@lemm.ee
          6·
          9 months ago

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

            • Hamartiogonic@sopuli.xyz
              5·
              9 months ago

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

            • suppenloeffel@feddit.de
              3·
              9 months ago

              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.

              • delirious_owl@discuss.online
                3·
                9 months ago

                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.

              • delirious_owl@discuss.online
                1·
                9 months ago

                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?

                • EpicVision@monero.town
                  2·
                  9 months ago

                  I’m talking about the security model of the platform, not the way you use your devices. If you do your online banking in a browser on your computer and your system gets infected with malware, that malware can access all the files on your computer. Including application data of your browser. It can access your cookies, which your bank’s website uses to store your login information. Such an attack is impossible on a mobile device, since apps can only access their own data, and inter-process communication is heavily restricted. Additionally, mobile operating systems like Android have complex permission systems, as well as kernel-based mandatory access control like SELinux/SE for Android. Your typical desktop OS has none of that. Android also has a strong implementation of Verified Boot, which makes sure that malware can’t persist on your system partition, even after your device gets infected. I recommend this video if you want to learn more about mobile device security: https://youtu.be/yTeAFoQnQPo

            • 🦄🦄🦄@feddit.de
              4·
              9 months ago

              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

      • GolfNovemberUniform@lemmy.ml
        11·
        9 months ago

        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

      • Undertaker@feddit.de
        8·
        9 months ago

        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

      • Churbleyimyam@lemm.ee
        7·
        9 months ago

        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.

          • Churbleyimyam@lemm.ee
            2·
            9 months ago

            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.

      • delirious_owl@discuss.online
        4·
        9 months ago

        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

          • OminousOrange@lemmy.ca
            2·
            9 months ago

            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.

      • pearable@lemmy.ml
        4·
        9 months ago

        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.