Fuck-you-Google: always

Google Update Reveals AI Will Start Reading All Your Private Messages
https://www.forbes.com/sites/zakdoffman/2024/01/27/new-details-free-ai-upgrade-for-google-and-samsung-android-users-leaks/

#FuckYouGoogle #privacy #surveillance #AI #Bard #Android

@erAck the golden privacy rule for Android: avoid using Google apps wherever possible.

@sesivany @erAck The golden privacy rule for Android: don't use Android.

@pavel @erAck Android itself is fine privacy wise. You just have to use a deGoogled ROM. I also have a Linux phone, but it's not really an option for an average user.

@sesivany @pavel @erAck It's not really an option for an advanced user either. If I don't need apps that refuse to run on non-vendor-specific Android (e.g. some bank apps), I can live with a dumb phone. And that should definitely be more private.

@sesivany @erAck Technically, you are right. But deGoogled Android can't run Google play, so is pretty much useless.

@pavel @erAck You can run Aurora Store instead or Google Play in a sandbox like GrapheneOS does. GrapheneOS is a privacy-respecting OS and the UX is very close to Google Android. The only thing that doesn't work is Google Pay.

@sesivany @pavel @erAck running a privacy friendly / Google free custom ROM and then complaining you can't use *Google* Play seems to be a bit pointless or?

@ptesarik @sesivany @pavel @erAck I am a technical layman, concerned with data privacy, but able to follow instructions, so I have a mostly de-googled phone. What I do not understand is (and I am actually asking): why would I want to, given the information and insight pros have, ever run apps that handle sensitive data like banking logins on these broken mobile Os'? Am I missing something? Are there seriously no alternatives somewhere?

@sesivany @pavel @erAck if I had to choose between giving user de-googlified AOSP or pure Linux, in short-term thinking I would say AOSP. In long-term thou building strong Linux ecosystem is the right path.

@ManniCalavera @sesivany @pavel @erAck I don't know in general, but many people around me use an iPhone or an Android phone almost as a body part. Consequently, banks assume that an operation is a genuine request by their client if it was confirmed on their client's personal smartphone.

Some alternatives do exist, but they tend to be expensive, either in terms of money or time (or both), because that market is too small.