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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 o

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?
        CountDrewku 5y ago
        Depends on your administrator. If they allow IMAP to be turned on for your gmail account then yes. However, your email is still going through Google's servers and this is still only a partial mitigation. You get the gmail app off your phone but that's about it. A lot of admins won't enable IMAP for security purposes though.
  - snypher 5y ago
    I don't think it's fair to say I was ignorant when you only now mention need it for work. You could use a second handset, or try asking your employer to move away from Google products, or even find a new employer. There's plenty of options here. If you say that the best you can do is limit exposure, then do that!
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.

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?
      - CountDrewku 5y ago
        Depends on your administrator. If they allow IMAP to be turned on for your gmail account then yes. However, your email is still going through Google's servers and this is still only a partial mitigation. You get the gmail app off your phone but that's about it. A lot of admins won't enable IMAP for security purposes though.
- snypher 5y ago
  I don't think it's fair to say I was ignorant when you only now mention need it for work. You could use a second handset, or try asking your employer to move away from Google products, or even find a new employer. There's plenty of options here. If you say that the best you can do is limit exposure, then do that!

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.