Decentralized Technology & Currency

[hugh]

If you’re looking to run a less tracky phone, here are the stable projects that can turn your current Android into a more private phone. It’s actually relatively easy to DIY nowadays. Secondary benefits are much better battery life and faster performance.

– calyxos.org
– grapheneos.org
– lineageos.org
– e.foundation/e-os/ (this is the only one that doesn’t require a Google Pixel)

I also think that it’s a good idea to have 2 phones. One deGoogled phone with very minimal services to carry around. No email, social, banking apps, etc. I use Magic Earth for maps.

Then another standard phone that has all of the apps that have personal information, app store and no SIM card. I keep the second phone powered off most of the time and in a Faraday bag at home. If I need the personal apps on the road, I just hotspot into my primary phone.

There are other projects, so I would be interested in hearing about ones you’ve tried or use as a daily driver. Also if you know of any major faults with the projects above. I’m always looking to learn more.

Discussion

[maryschurr]

Hugh, This article might be helpful. It is written by the guy who does the Above Phone and lists quite a lot of info in the article..not just about his phone.

https://unlimitedhangout.com/2023/11/investigative-reports/5-ways-to-prepare-for-the-online-privacy-crackdown/?ref=unlimited-hangout

unlimitedhangout.com

5 Ways To Prepare for the Online Privacy Crackdown

With legislation around the world seeking to gut encryption and online anonymity, Ramiro Romani offers an overview of what's coming and several solutions for divesting from Big Tech products and protecting your online privacy.

[hugh]

Thanks!

[sara]

I use an Above phone, have had one for about a year and a half. It runs on grapheneOS. It’s been a learning curve for me to transition to (mostly) open-source versions of apps, but I have really been impressed with what Ramiro is doing, and his promptness in answering every question on his Telegram support group. I also use a faraday bag anytime the phone is not in use. I really like your suggestion of the second phone, super smart.

[hugh]

Thanks for the input on Above Phone. I played around with GrapheneOS recently and it has gotten a lot more usable than a couple of years when I first tried it.

[Kathy M]

Hi Hugh, What kind of phone do you have for a de-googled phone? Is it an old android where you have removed all the apps? Have you heard of or know anything about the light phone?

[hugh]

Hi Kathy,

I like OnePlus phones, they are higher quality than the Pixels and have MUCH better cameras. The Pixels are theoretically supposed to be the most secure, but I’m also more suspicious of Google than OnePlus.

The Light Phone seems like a decent option, but the code isn’t open source, as far as I know. Also, there’s no navigation, so that’s why I didn’t consider a Light Phone.

I feel that a better option is an Android running GrapheneOS, if you just want to use basic apps. GrapheneOS is the most secure, but because of that, it’s the least compatible with all apps.

[Author]

Replies