A question as old as time, I know.

I'm getting away from Google and I've done the easy stuff: CoMaps, Proton mail (I know, not the best move), aveslibre, etc. I currently don't have the time (or the knowledge base) to learn how to self host, but hopefully that will replace Drive and such in the future.

But I digress. I'm looking at a new OS for my phone. I'm currently in a contract with a phone that is incompatible with alternative OSs. Graphene needs a Pixel. Used, they're $150-400. /e/OS will run on a Motorola or whatever and those are like $80.

There's also the option of going full Fairphone with /e/os and I like that idea in the future.

The internet people tell me that Graphene is the best due to ease of installation, privacy, and security.

I don't need a lot of security. I just want Google to stop suckling all that sweet, sweet data from my teat.

What are your thoughts?

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[–] 5 points 8 months ago (8 children)

It is best to run GOS or Lineage OS completely Google-free.

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  • [–] 7 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago) (2 children)

    It is best from many points of view but, as far as I understand, this community is about providing knowledge and tools, and leaving it up to the individual users to asses their threat modeling and determine the extent of the acceptable compromise?

    Edit: in every use of connected technologies there are privacy trade-offs, and privacy may not be the only concern on a user's plate.

    The Fairphone mentioned in the opening has the more ethical production and spare parts support, that can be a concern for many users. Ultimately it's for them to decide. Maybe we bore them and they just get a third hand iPhone, which is still largely a privacy improvement over stock Android.

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  • [+] 2 points 8 months ago* (last edited 21 hours ago) (4 children)
  • [–] 0 points 8 months ago (3 children)

    Obviously Graphene OS is the current gold standard for privacy, but you can run a Lineage OS device without Google Play Services, with only free/libre software installation sources, and without the telemetry for those users who can't or won't use current GOS. This is obviously a considerable improvement over a Chinese or other commercial manufacturer.

    But, yes, if you can run GOS rather than LOS, you should.

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  • [+] 1 point 8 months ago* (last edited 21 hours ago) (2 children)