4 ms·

Just bought a pixel to test lineageOS out. Worth mentioning that if you want less Google and still want to use normal Android services in the OS you need to ins

Just bought a pixel to test lineageOS out. Worth mentioning that if you want less Google and still want to use normal Android services in the OS you need to install the MicroG lineageOS ROM. Otherwise, you're still sending Google a lot of info through Gapps or MindTheGapps. Graphene or lineage without any of those is also an option but you'll be missing a lot of the normal everyday apps you use. IMO if you're going that far though you might as well just go back to a flip phone.

salusinarduis 5y ago
I don't agree regarding your flip phone comment, that's silly. I don't use any form of Google Play Services (No OpenGapps or MicroG even) and my phone works completely fine. The only thing that doesn't work is push notifications, which isn't a problem because FOSS apps like Signal bundle their own notification system that does not use Google Play Services. Discord however, does not get push notifications (which I wouldn't want anyway)
- CountDrewku 5y ago
  Regardless of what software you put on the phone it is a tracking device. It has gps, audio, cameras, and web browsers that are all vulnerable to being hacked or used for tracking. I signed into gmail via the Bromite browser on my Pixe3a. I immediately received an email from google about my new Pixel device. They now know what device I use, what browser etc. I don't care how locked down and FOSS you make your smart phone it's not going to be as secure as a dumb phone. There's a reason criminals don't use smart phones.
  - snypher 5y ago
    If you think Google is adversarial then don't use Gmail; It seems strange to avoid using their 'apps' but continuing to use their products? I think you just handed them that information when you logged into their website.
    - CountDrewku 5y ago
      >I think you just handed them that information when you logged into their website. Obviously and that's my point. You are not going to avoid Google if you use the web. The best you can do is limit exposure. >Google is adversarial then don't use Gmail This is ignorant and unhelpful. Do you think I just decided not to consider that option? I don't have an option. I have to use it for work. This is the problem with the "don't use it" crowd. Most people are not going to get away from the major email provider options. The best I can do is sign in via browser or a 3rd party app.
      - pessimizer 5y ago
        > Obviously and that's my point. You are not going to avoid Google if you use the web. The best you can do is limit exposure. That couldn't have been your point. It's very easy to avoid having a gmail account. > This is ignorant and unhelpful. People here don't know you personally, or your needs. Most people don't need gmail for work. If your job requires you to use google products, it's going to be difficult for you to avoid google. But, again, your situation is not representative of the vast majority of people.
        CountDrewku 5y ago
        >That couldn't have been your point. It's very easy to avoid having a gmail account. Did you miss the part where I told you we have Google Workspace (GSuite) and I have to use it for work? What part of getting rid of that is easy? I cannot stop using it end of story. >People here don't know you personally, or your needs. Most people don't need gmail for work. I feel like you're not aware of the fact that Gmail is used in corporate environments through Google Workspace. You need to research before spouting off stuff that's obviously misinformed. It's a direct competitor to Office 365 and MS Outlook servers. https://www.cnbc.com/2020/04/07/google-g-suite-passes-6-million-customers.html https://www.cnbc.com/2020/04/07/google-g-suite-passes-6-mill...
        fomine3 5y ago
        Do those companies accept login G Suite account on custom ROM?
  - salusinarduis 5y ago
    GraphineOS constantly spoofs the device's MAC so that argument is not valid (I also don't know how a website based email client is getting your MAC). It's also extremely easy to spoof the device's name. The way they are getting that is simply your browser's User Agent, or if it's an app, your phones root properties. There may be some other identifying properties about the device they can collect though, I agree with you on that. Also, I agree with your argument about phones being tracking devices. Anything with a radio that connects to cell towers is going to be logged and tracked in perfect detail.
    - CountDrewku 5y ago
      You're correct about the MAC address. However, the rest of the information collected is plenty to build a profile of any person.

salusinarduis 5y ago

I don't agree regarding your flip phone comment, that's silly. I don't use any form of Google Play Services (No OpenGapps or MicroG even) and my phone works completely fine. The only thing that doesn't work is push notifications, which isn't a problem because FOSS apps like Signal bundle their own notification system that does not use Google Play Services. Discord however, does not get push notifications (which I wouldn't want anyway)

CountDrewku 5y ago
Regardless of what software you put on the phone it is a tracking device. It has gps, audio, cameras, and web browsers that are all vulnerable to being hacked or used for tracking. I signed into gmail via the Bromite browser on my Pixe3a. I immediately received an email from google about my new Pixel device. They now know what device I use, what browser etc. I don't care how locked down and FOSS you make your smart phone it's not going to be as secure as a dumb phone. There's a reason criminals don't use smart phones.
- snypher 5y ago
  If you think Google is adversarial then don't use Gmail; It seems strange to avoid using their 'apps' but continuing to use their products? I think you just handed them that information when you logged into their website.
  - CountDrewku 5y ago
    >I think you just handed them that information when you logged into their website. Obviously and that's my point. You are not going to avoid Google if you use the web. The best you can do is limit exposure. >Google is adversarial then don't use Gmail This is ignorant and unhelpful. Do you think I just decided not to consider that option? I don't have an option. I have to use it for work. This is the problem with the "don't use it" crowd. Most people are not going to get away from the major email provider options. The best I can do is sign in via browser or a 3rd party app.
    - pessimizer 5y ago
      > Obviously and that's my point. You are not going to avoid Google if you use the web. The best you can do is limit exposure. That couldn't have been your point. It's very easy to avoid having a gmail account. > This is ignorant and unhelpful. People here don't know you personally, or your needs. Most people don't need gmail for work. If your job requires you to use google products, it's going to be difficult for you to avoid google. But, again, your situation is not representative of the vast majority of people.
      - CountDrewku 5y ago
        >That couldn't have been your point. It's very easy to avoid having a gmail account. Did you miss the part where I told you we have Google Workspace (GSuite) and I have to use it for work? What part of getting rid of that is easy? I cannot stop using it end of story. >People here don't know you personally, or your needs. Most people don't need gmail for work. I feel like you're not aware of the fact that Gmail is used in corporate environments through Google Workspace. You need to research before spouting off stuff that's obviously misinformed. It's a direct competitor to Office 365 and MS Outlook servers. https://www.cnbc.com/2020/04/07/google-g-suite-passes-6-million-customers.html https://www.cnbc.com/2020/04/07/google-g-suite-passes-6-mill...
        fomine3 5y ago
        Do those companies accept login G Suite account on custom ROM?
- salusinarduis 5y ago
  GraphineOS constantly spoofs the device's MAC so that argument is not valid (I also don't know how a website based email client is getting your MAC). It's also extremely easy to spoof the device's name. The way they are getting that is simply your browser's User Agent, or if it's an app, your phones root properties. There may be some other identifying properties about the device they can collect though, I agree with you on that. Also, I agree with your argument about phones being tracking devices. Anything with a radio that connects to cell towers is going to be logged and tracked in perfect detail.
  - CountDrewku 5y ago
    You're correct about the MAC address. However, the rest of the information collected is plenty to build a profile of any person.