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Show HN: A privacy-first browser for Android with ZERO permissions

sschueller 6y ago
Zero permission isn't really zero. The app still needs access to the internet and under android that is a permission. I don't want to be a party pooper but you claim privacy. I assume this browser is not open source (didn't see a link) so how can we trust you don't collect data? Are you going to do an external audit?
- abama_williams 6y ago
  android doesn't count 'internet' as one of those permissions apps need to popup a request for... It's kinda like given by default.... Storage, location, photos, call logs, contacts etc are the dangerous ones
  - sock 6y ago
    Does background running require permission? (I don't have an android phone to check)
    - CyberSkys 6y ago
      No, background running is not a permission on Android :)
longt1melurker 6y ago
does it do cookies or localstorage or footprint-able properties?
- CyberSkys 6y ago
  Yes & No! Yes to cookies and local storage, browser/dom storage. There are some browser fingerprinting properties which is simply not possible to 'disable' currently unless you can get your own stuff from the ground up though, but that's the bitter truth. Everything that is possible has been done though.
raevilman 6y ago
i use Firefox Focus.... just curious, why should i switch to Zero
ialexpw 6y ago
I'm confused about the advertising, it specifies "No Ads on Snap Search" all over the site and showing "Ad Blocker" as a main feature, then you have an "advertise with us" area to show ads. https://snapsearch.online/advertise-with-us/ https://snapsearch.online/advertise-with-us/
dartharva 6y ago
Not open source (AFAIK, there's no github / source code link on the website).
- CyberSkys 6y ago
  Yes you're right. That's fair I guess. But it's not open source currently on purpose, for multiple reasons: - I'm working very hard to create solid differentiating factors - like a very efficient reader mode and dark mode for websites. - The ad blocking tech is a huge differentiator currently compared to others. MANY fail to even block simple stuff like Google Analytics (just an example). - Too many people try every day to use some sort of man in the middle application or faux purchase application to try and fake a subscription for Snap Search. If the code is exposed, it's easier to cheat the system. - I personally wouldn't pay for an open source product if I could just get it up and running myself. But I understand what you're trying to say. Will honestly definitely consider it
labelafabela 6y ago
Using it for 2 days now - THIS IS GREAT!!!
sam_mondumental 6y ago
Just what i was looking for
leoossa 6y ago
Brave / kiwi are similar. Why is your better?

Zero permission isn't really zero. The app still needs access to the internet and under android that is a permission. I don't want to be a party pooper but you claim privacy. I assume this browser is not open source (didn't see a link) so how can we trust you don't collect data? Are you going to do an external audit?

abama_williams 6y ago
android doesn't count 'internet' as one of those permissions apps need to popup a request for... It's kinda like given by default.... Storage, location, photos, call logs, contacts etc are the dangerous ones
- sock 6y ago
  Does background running require permission? (I don't have an android phone to check)
  - CyberSkys 6y ago
    No, background running is not a permission on Android :)

longt1melurker 6y ago

does it do cookies or localstorage or footprint-able properties?

CyberSkys 6y ago
Yes & No! Yes to cookies and local storage, browser/dom storage. There are some browser fingerprinting properties which is simply not possible to 'disable' currently unless you can get your own stuff from the ground up though, but that's the bitter truth. Everything that is possible has been done though.

raevilman 6y ago

i use Firefox Focus.... just curious, why should i switch to Zero

ialexpw 6y ago

I'm confused about the advertising, it specifies "No Ads on Snap Search" all over the site and showing "Ad Blocker" as a main feature, then you have an "advertise with us" area to show ads. https://snapsearch.online/advertise-with-us/ https://snapsearch.online/advertise-with-us/

dartharva 6y ago

Not open source (AFAIK, there's no github / source code link on the website).

CyberSkys 6y ago
Yes you're right. That's fair I guess. But it's not open source currently on purpose, for multiple reasons: - I'm working very hard to create solid differentiating factors - like a very efficient reader mode and dark mode for websites. - The ad blocking tech is a huge differentiator currently compared to others. MANY fail to even block simple stuff like Google Analytics (just an example). - Too many people try every day to use some sort of man in the middle application or faux purchase application to try and fake a subscription for Snap Search. If the code is exposed, it's easier to cheat the system. - I personally wouldn't pay for an open source product if I could just get it up and running myself. But I understand what you're trying to say. Will honestly definitely consider it

labelafabela 6y ago

Using it for 2 days now - THIS IS GREAT!!!

sam_mondumental 6y ago

Just what i was looking for

leoossa 6y ago

Brave / kiwi are similar. Why is your better?