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Data Privacy and Security on Pixel?

DripplessNewt
By DripplessNewt
in Phones and Tablets
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Considering switching to a Pixel 8 (Pro?) off of an iPhone. Part of what is holding me back is Apple has had pretty decent privacy. But what about google? Their whole business has been collecting data and selling it. How is that on the Pixel? Is there a better android alternative for privacy?

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https://linustechtips.com/topic/1574920-data-privacy-and-security-on-pixel/
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I would say it's the same as on any other Android device, as long as you use Google apps. If you don't want your data collected, limit the data you hand to them by limiting which of their apps you use.

Remember to either quote or @mention others, so they are notified of your reply

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2 hours ago, DripplessNewt said:

 Is there a better android alternative for privacy?

I would say no just because you have so many options other OS to install if you want. You can install an Android without Google Apps entirely if you want. There is also the option of things like Graphene and such.

 

Always easy enough to go back to stock it. 

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  • 5 weeks later...
Posted

LineageOS

 

https://xdaforums.com/c/google.11976/

 

LineageOS doesn't use any google services by default, you have to add support after installation.

 

Even with just LineageOS without gapps, I can still use apps like Pandora and others that ask to use those bits.

 

If you want to see what is loading / connecting uploading etc, install RethinkDNS.

 

You can now block domains (websites).

 

It allows blocking domains, IP address and entire apps.  Available in the F-droid app for open-source software.

 

In F-droid, go to the repository list and press the default f-droid, not the green toggle.

 

Select just one mirror, ideally the one local to you, on the same land mass.

: JRE #1914 Siddarth Kara

How bad is e-waste?  Listen to that Joe Rogan episode.

 

"Now you get what you want, but do you want more?
- Bob Marley, Rastaman Vibration album 1976

 

Windows 11 will just force business to "recycle" "obscolete" hardware.  Microsoft definitely isn't bothered by this at all, and seems to want hardware produced just a few years ago to be considered obsolete.  They have also not shown any interest nor has any other company in a similar financial position, to help increase tech recycling whatsoever.  Windows 12 might be cloud-based and be a monthly or yearly fee.

 

Software suggestions


Just get f.lux [Link removed due to forum rules] so your screen isn't bright white at night, a golden orange in place of stark 6500K bluish white.

released in 2008 and still being improved.

 

Dark Reader addon for webpages.  Pick any color you want for both background and text (background and foreground page elements).  Enable the preview mode on desktop for Firefox and Chrome addon, by clicking the dark reader addon settings, Choose dev tools amd click preview mode.

 

NoScript or EFF's privacy badger addons can block many scripts and websites that would load and track you, possibly halving page load time!

 

F-droid is a place to install open-source software for android, Antennapod, RethinkDNS, Fennec which is Firefox with about:config, lots of performance and other changes available, mozilla KB has a huge database of what most of the settings do.  Most software in the repository only requires Android 5 and 6!

 

I recommend firewall apps (blocks apps) and dns filters (redirect all dns requests on android, to your choice of dns, even if overridden).  RethinkDNS is my pick and I set it to use pi-hole, installed inside Ubuntu/Debian, which is inside Virtualbox, until I go to a website, nothing at all connects to any other server.  I also use NextDNS.io to do the same when away from home wi-fi or even cellular!  I can even tether from cellular to any device sharing via wi-fi, and block anything with dns set to NextDNS, regardless if the device allows changing dns.  This style of network filtration is being overridden by software updates on some devices, forcing a backup dns provuder, such as google dns, when built in dns requests are not connecting.  Without a complete firewall setup, dns redirection itself is no longer always effective.

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On 6/26/2024 at 11:45 PM, DripplessNewt said:

Considering switching to a Pixel 8 (Pro?) off of an iPhone. Part of what is holding me back is Apple has had pretty decent privacy. But what about google? Their whole business has been collecting data and selling it. How is that on the Pixel? Is there a better android alternative for privacy?

Apple uses your data to make money. Don't think for a minute they are better than anyone else.

 

 

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