49
submitted 3 days ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

Just a heads up for those who are using GrapheneOS. If you log into 2 (google or other) accounts on an installed app even on different profile, the service provider will still be able to link between your 2 accounts using MediaDRM. (Google will still know that both of the 2 accounts have been logged in on the same device)

More info:

all 17 comments
sorted by: hot top new old
[-] [email protected] 4 points 2 days ago

And be careful with wallpapers, apps can get accent colors from your wallpaper, which are completely unique unless you use the default black one.

[-] [email protected] 3 points 2 days ago

thanks a lot, didn't know that, is there any way to block it?

[-] [email protected] 1 points 1 day ago

No, though I imagine Graphème could implement one (but it would break Material You)

[-] [email protected] 3 points 2 days ago

Ah, that's a nice one!

[-] [email protected] 8 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago)

Was able to get a different result using the media DRM toggle in developer settings

Verified results using TrustDevice

https://apt.izzysoft.de/fdroid/index/apk/com.trustdevice.android

https://www.trustdecision.com/

The other identifiers remained.

No appops or permissions change or prevent the exposure of other information.

Actually... Geto, can apply appop settings/values per app launch. And you can change the android_id value.

[-] [email protected] 1 points 16 hours ago

What is appop and where can I get Geto?

[-] [email protected] 6 points 2 days ago

thanks a lot

can you explain what this option does? What is Force Software Secure Crypto? and what is DRM key management and software-basedwhiteboxcrypto?

Also I'm having a bit trouble understanding how Geto work, would you be so kindly to link a tutorial below? thanks a lot

[-] [email protected] 5 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago)

So, the media DRM toggle switches from the hardcoded hardware ID to a software DRM. Creating a new DRM key.

https://developer.android.com/reference/android/media/MediaDrm

Geto uses shizuku (an app that allows for adb/shell functionality) to change settings that are usually hiddden or inaccessible, or to give/deny apps permissions or features, or, as in the screenshot to change certain keys values. This allows you to change the environment and settings of the app on launch, and revert them on app close.

You can see all the current settings by using adb:

adb shell settings list [ global | secure | system ]

Or in termux with shizuku:

settings list [ global | secure | system ]

In the following screenshot I enter the shell using shizuku (rish) list global settings and find keys with adb. I change the value of adb_wifi_enabled (wirelese debugging) from 0 to 1 and set {1} as the default value. Then I list again to show the change.

This is what geto is doing. But it assigns it to the action of launching/closing an app. While doing it manually via terminal set those values system wide.

Sometimes, though, you may want a system wide change (like if you want to change the accent colors or theme from RAINBOW to VIBRANT).

(There are other configs and properties you can viewed and modify using other commands. (in shell try

cmd -l 

For a list of services. Some have user modable options. Be careful. If you don't know, don't touch. Every setting can be searched . there are hundreds or thousands .)

[-] [email protected] 1 points 2 days ago

thank you so much!

Would you recommend everyone to turn on this DRM setting? Is there any downside? This seems like a perfect option to prevent MediaDRM tracking and I'm suprised it's not default turned on

[-] [email protected] 3 points 2 days ago

I wouldn't recommend anything.

This is only what I know.

There is much much much more I don't know.

This might be useful to use temporarily when you add an app that you know will read these values on install.

You may be able to use an app like geto to have this option toggled so that it only uses the developer settings option when the app is launched and returns to hardware when it closes.

Keep in mind there are a host of other identifiers on your device that can also be used to track and identify the user and device.

I like privacy and security.

[-] [email protected] 2 points 20 hours ago* (last edited 5 hours ago)

thanks a lot

EDIT: turning this option on can only generate a random mediaDRM for different apps, but the same app will still have the same mediaDRM across different profile

so you can login to 1 accounts on google and also login to bank app they wont link you through mediadrm

hopefully someone could give a solution to spoof mediadrm for the same app across different profile

[-] [email protected] 1 points 8 hours ago* (last edited 8 hours ago)

Seems the only real solution is to buy cheap burners.

Curious if using the website version of an app can pick up the mediaDRM key via the browser.

[-] [email protected] 1 points 5 hours ago

Curious if using the website version of an app can pick up the mediaDRM key via the browser.

I think no, best to use all app through browser if you can

[-] [email protected] 9 points 3 days ago

Not surprising

I always assumed this was the case. Hence why you shouldn't be using any apps beyond what's strictly necessary and obviously avoid classic corpo slop anything like Facebook etc

[-] [email protected] 8 points 3 days ago

MediaDRM is used in bank apps as well, which is hard to avoid

[-] [email protected] 6 points 3 days ago

Browser can work but yeah there limitations like depositing checks.

With that being said... Its a fucking banking app, it already has your PII. Sandbox mode limits what it can get off the phone at least

this post was submitted on 28 Jun 2025
49 points (94.5% liked)

Privacy

39405 readers
975 users here now

A place to discuss privacy and freedom in the digital world.

Privacy has become a very important issue in modern society, with companies and governments constantly abusing their power, more and more people are waking up to the importance of digital privacy.

In this community everyone is welcome to post links and discuss topics related to privacy.

Some Rules

Related communities

much thanks to @gary_host_laptop for the logo design :)

founded 5 years ago
MODERATORS