What are the most privacy respecting smartphones to buy, I am also looking for the one which respects your privacy the most. So far going to privacy communities esp on reddit, I often see Google Pixel + GrapheneOS being recommended.
But the thing is I don’t really trust Google with privacy, as we have seen they are last one to respect privacy. What if Google has some backdoor in the hardware that cannot be changed? And the problem with the more privacy respecting OSes for mobiles like GrapheneOS, CalyxOS etc are that they are only supported for Google pixel phones.
So I am really confused here.
I hear lots of great things about Graphene but it’s only able to run on Pixel phones. I have a LineageOS installed on my phone & I have full control over the firewall, and there’s no google on it. Got the phone a year ago, battery still lasts 2 days of occasional use. It’s amazing how nice a phone feels without ads, constant upload/download, and unneeded background services running.
Basically, and even with Graphene, the biggest security risk for a phone is the person using it. I wish it were more turn-key but the tracking with cookies is just the tip of the iceburg… apps like to track too and if you need an app outside of the free-open-source-software circle you should know how to control its access to the internet.
That last part is where Graphene shines IMO, as every time you install an app you have the choice of natively allowing network permissions that you can change at any time. I agree with you on Lineage being great for an extra layer of privacy especially for the average person.
o cool I didn’t know that. I use AF Wall as my firewall GUI on Lineage. I do have to give it root to update the tables though.
I use TrackerControl (TC) on my Lineage devices for this. Will look into AF Wall, thanks!
Anything with as few data points tied to you is the most ideal. How far are you willing to go for privacy, and what are you using the devices for? If you absolutely need to run an Android ROM on mobile, GOS or even just a carefully setup LineageOS device would be your best bet. If you can live without a cell phone choose to do so.
