I mean, exactly how invasive are default operating systems? (Like Windows, Mac, Chrome OS, Android, iOS) Do they log your keystrokes, log passwords, capture screen, upload your photos, videos, or audio? (Assuming you aren’t a target of government) Is it even possible for the average person who doesn’t feel comfortable messing with installing operating systems to have any privacy?

  • @MigratingtoLemmy
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    11 year ago

    We don’t know if they do, but they certainly can. Especially if you are on x86. I’m sure Android (which comes from OEMs) and iOS devices spy on you.

    No, you have no respite unless you switch to custom. The good part is that this process is much easier than before (especially on the desktop), and will keep getting easier. Graphene already has their Web installer when you plug your mobile into your computer and let it do its job. Installing Linux is the easiest it has ever been, and I would argue that this trend has creeped into even the more advanced distributions like Gentoo/Funtoo (their guide is extremely well written and easy to follow + forums).

    The only thing you are losing is time. If you don’t have the time, then no, you should stick with the easier ROMs/Distributions. I would never espouse using Windows/MacOS/OEM Android/iOS unless forced to by circumstance.

    • RandoCalrandian
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      31 year ago

      Of course we know they do

      A good portion of it is laid out in their telemetry docs

      And it’s why removing telemetry is so damn difficult

      • @MigratingtoLemmy
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        11 year ago

        When I said that, I was trying to include both mobile and desktop OSes. Has Intel mentioned that ME will track users and processes using telemetry?

        • RandoCalrandian
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          11 year ago

          Why are we talking about Intel?

          It’s microsoft that keeps releasing telemetry infested OS versions, and then forcing users onto their new shiny plague ships.

          this and this this are both widely available tools to try and shut that shit off, and they only sort of work.

          Now i know you wouldn’t recommend windows, but that’s the exact type of spying OP is asking about

          (That said, i don’t doubt intel either already has or wants to implement telemetry as well)

          • @MigratingtoLemmy
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            21 year ago

            I mentioned Intel because ME is cancer embedded in hardware. Even if someone was good enough to rewrite windows code to remove all telemetry (in theory), there is nothing one can do about hardware.

            AMD’s OPENSIL might change that, but we’ll have to wait and see. The fact is that ME can hijack one’s system resources and push telemetry to Intel, including public IP. That’s the worst offender in my opinion

            • RandoCalrandian
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              11 year ago

              ah, i didn’t even know about intel’s telemetry in ME

              I thought ME was cancer for the other reasons, damn. AMD FTW (until TLA’s force them to do the same thing)

              • @MigratingtoLemmy
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                11 year ago

                AMD does the same thing with their PSP. But AMD is supposed to release OpenSIL in 2027 which should theoretically give the community the keys to stop PSP from booting and work Coreboot/Libreboot for other motherboards