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Google hiding information about apps in the app store is a big problem - but its not as big a problem as not having a Little Snitch equivalent built into Androi

Google hiding information about apps in the app store is a big problem - but its not as big a problem as not having a Little Snitch equivalent built into Android. This alone is a reason for real capital to be spent on startups in the alt-android space. Imagine a company that lets you use your current Samsung or Google or Sony or ASUS or whatever flagship phone, but with a truly open-source fork of Android with a Little Snitch built in, and security updates guaranteed for as long as you stay current with your subscription, which is like $5/mo. (Maybe that's too low). Maybe you could even wipe your device and mail it in to have the software installed if you can't be bothered to do it yourself. Or maybe even a partnership with a phone repair chain. (And if you don't want to pay the fee you can always install updates yourself manually, from source.)

ignoramous 4y ago
> Imagine a company that lets you use your current Samsung or Google or Sony or ASUS or whatever flagship phone, but with a truly open-source fork of Android with a Little Snitch built in, and security updates guaranteed You describe the direction CalyxOS / DivestOS are going. And of course, there's the Pixel phones on GrapheneOS which arguably is more security-focused.
- javajosh 4y ago
  >CalyxOS I just read their homepage, and they don't have Google Play support. The requirement to run Google Play Services to access and run apps represents a serious anti-trust concern to me (and to the DoJ under any administration, I would imagine). Perhaps more importantly, I see no mention of any facility for network monitoring. >DivestOS Hadn't heard of this LineageOS fork, thanks. TBH I can't really tell how it differs from either Calyx or Divest. None of these tools have the top-line features I mentioned.
  - ignoramous 4y ago
    > Perhaps more importantly, I see no mention of any facility for network monitoring. CalyxOS intends to build a comprehensive netmon: https://gitlab.com/CalyxOS/calyxos/-/issues/349 https://gitlab.com/CalyxOS/calyxos/-/issues/349 Right now, they've got an ebpf-based firewall: https://calyxos.org/docs/tech/datura-details/ https://calyxos.org/docs/tech/datura-details/ > TBH I can't really tell how it differs from either Calyx or Divest. The lead developer is pretty active on github and fdroid forums: https://forum.f-droid.org/t/10105 https://forum.f-droid.org/t/10105

ignoramous 4y ago

> Imagine a company that lets you use your current Samsung or Google or Sony or ASUS or whatever flagship phone, but with a truly open-source fork of Android with a Little Snitch built in, and security updates guaranteed You describe the direction CalyxOS / DivestOS are going. And of course, there's the Pixel phones on GrapheneOS which arguably is more security-focused.

javajosh 4y ago
>CalyxOS I just read their homepage, and they don't have Google Play support. The requirement to run Google Play Services to access and run apps represents a serious anti-trust concern to me (and to the DoJ under any administration, I would imagine). Perhaps more importantly, I see no mention of any facility for network monitoring. >DivestOS Hadn't heard of this LineageOS fork, thanks. TBH I can't really tell how it differs from either Calyx or Divest. None of these tools have the top-line features I mentioned.
- ignoramous 4y ago
  > Perhaps more importantly, I see no mention of any facility for network monitoring. CalyxOS intends to build a comprehensive netmon: https://gitlab.com/CalyxOS/calyxos/-/issues/349 https://gitlab.com/CalyxOS/calyxos/-/issues/349 Right now, they've got an ebpf-based firewall: https://calyxos.org/docs/tech/datura-details/ https://calyxos.org/docs/tech/datura-details/ > TBH I can't really tell how it differs from either Calyx or Divest. The lead developer is pretty active on github and fdroid forums: https://forum.f-droid.org/t/10105 https://forum.f-droid.org/t/10105