A while ago I came across this thread:
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=12016011
and I'd like to know whether the Google collecting stuff also applies to a default LineageOS install? Or does it start only after GApps is installed (even the smallest possible one)?
Personal info, the minute you enter your google email address.
Sent from my Sprint Note 3 running Lineage 7.1.1 on T-Mobile. using XDA-Developers Legacy app
When you put you email or use some Google app product you agree to share your personal data.
Enviado de meu Mi 5s Plus usando Tapatalk
OK, but that's limited to that app and the permissions you give it - and that goes pretty much for all apps, Google or not. I was thinking more about the system-wide "telemetry".
Neuromancer said:
OK, but that's limited to that app and the permissions you give it - and that goes pretty much for all apps, Google or not. I was thinking more about the system-wide "telemetry".
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not really. Google has tentacles into so many things it's mind boggling.
For example: you may think that you are keeping your location data private by turning off that nice shiny location services toggle right at the top of your screen. But guess what? By default, various Google frameworks are set to override that whenever they feel like it, to ping your location silently anyway.
And even if you have the GPS chip disabled in hardware (or it doesn't exist at all), they will try to triangulate you based on other visible entities like WiFi and Bluetooth signals. (You know those Google Streetmap cars that drive around everywhere taking pictures of everything? They also are collecting a giant database of every single wireless signal they encounter, and linking them to the exact geo coordinates where they were detectable. And they also collect this data from every device running Android. So if your downstairs neighbor has a WiFi access point or bluetooth device in Google's location database, the simple fact your mobile device can see one of those signals means they've now got YOUR location, too.)
Neat, huh?
---------- Post added at 13:25 ---------- Previous post was at 13:21 ----------
Neuromancer said:
A while ago I came across this thread:
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=12016011
and I'd like to know whether the Google collecting stuff also applies to a default LineageOS install? Or does it start only after GApps is installed (even the smallest possible one)?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Even the "pico" Gapps - which includes (IIRC) just the Gplay services framework, Gplay app, PIM sync and Google Cloud Messaging components is enough.
On one of my devices I have pico Gapps installed on Lineage 14.1 and, as per usual, it is constantly trying to get my location. (I know this because I have Privacy Manager set to popup an approval prompt for both Gplay and Gplay services.) Another thing that the Google frameworks like to do is send/receive silent SMS messages. Once again, if it were not for the CM/Lineage Privacy Manager prompts, this would all be invisible.
Agree with Exabyter. Google is soo inside the apps and it's services that it's hard to predict if they can get your data or not. The Google Services Apps that give you access to lot of apps features have a lot of phone permission
Enviado de meu Mi 5s Plus usando Tapatalk
So using alternative markets such as F-Droid and Aptoide, and not installing GApps at all, can be a mitigating factor?
Neuromancer said:
So using alternative markets such as F-Droid and Aptoide, and not installing GApps at all, can be a mitigating factor?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes. And I was thinking along those lines myself for quite a while.
Unfortunately the big problem with those app sources is that they cannot handle paid apps/subscriptions.
F-droid is great if you are an open-source pedant, and as much as I like it (because among other things, generally speaking most of the stuff on there isn't doing sneaky stuff), the selection is very small.
Aptoide has a large percentage of the major apps on Gplay, but many of them are there without the developer's permission. Anyone can create an appstore there and upload any APK they want. (I actually have a private store there I intend to use at some point as a sort of APK repository for my various devices, but in practice I'm not sure how well this will work) And if you get apps from a personal user's store there there's a possibility there's something illegitimate about it. Aptoide checks APK signatures but I like to run a local A/V scanner anyway.
My current thinking is install the smallest possible open-source Gapps (eg pico), and then try to put a leash on what is left.
I'm still trying to work out how to accomplish that. Going to be posting a question in this forum shortly about location spoofing, for example. (In short: a recent AOSP patch may have really set us back here. )
Related
Anyone else had problems with missing apps in the Market with the Desire?
Specifically:
http://www.google.co.uk/support/forum/p/Android+Market/thread?tid=72687bc93eba9a1b&hl=en
Good example seems to be the National Rail app, but I'm finding plenty of others too...some I've paid for :-(
Daern
Yes, I have. JuiceDefender is missing for me, however I got it from andappstore.com. No sign of that National Rail one there though.
And the BlueAnt Q1 app is not available....
I think everybody has problems finding all the programs. Try to search for Raging Thunder 2 for example. You will properbly only find the lite version and not the full version. I bought the full version with my Milestone, but now it cannot be found anymore.
Every Android phone has a 'fingerprint' in the build.prop file. This fingerprint has to be approved by google. Somehow google has not yet approved the fingerprint of the Desire, so protected apps cannot be fount yet.....
I have no clue why this takes so long.
Maybe someone from google is here and reads this and can explain to us why it's taking so long for the fingerprint to be approved?
Interesting. According to the similar thread about the Legend, however, it seems that HTC are pushing out an update to fix this...
Perhaps it's the fingerprint from the Hero
I've read about this issue which was recently explained by a developer of XDA (nprussell).
Apparently everyone is in the same boat so to speak. He states that many "protected" apps are missing from the market. There are generally two reasons why apps will be missing from the market:
When a new ROM or handset is released, the manufacturer (i.e. HTC), sends the build to Google for verification, which includes a 'Fingerprint' (a unique line of text which governs its market access) in one of the build files. Generally, it states the name of the phone and Android version in the fingerprint. With Root & System write access, this fingerprint can be changed, but although it's been claimed that the Desire has recently been Rooted, we still don't have confirmation from any developer of it being able to gain System write access.
Only until Google approve the build, then fingerprint will be added to their allowed database to view these protected apps on the market.
The other cause for apps missing from the market in builds is because of permissions of certain apps. For example, the barcode scanner app requires permissions to use the camera/auto focus. They are NOT protected apps. If the XML permission files are missing from system/etc/permissions, then Google Market will simply block these apps from showing.
HTC need to chase Google up on this and Google need to activate the Fingerprint.
Excellent info, thanks for that. So it's chasing HTC to get them to chase Google for an update.
I think I'll just go back to stopping the tide from coming in...much better chance of success, I reckon
Is there no where we can download the apk (for free apps of course) and just transfer it to the phone and install it ourselves?
strange think is I could find some apps. I found and installed Barcode Scanner no prob..
???
s4vva said:
Is there no where we can download the apk (for free apps of course) and just transfer it to the phone and install it ourselves?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
just google which ever apk you want (for free apps obviously) and install it to your phone, with the sync software that was on your original memory card.
i emailed HTC today to find out what they and google are doing to sort this out. if everyone emails them they might eventually chase google...
Mastoid said:
I've read about this issue which was recently explained by a developer of XDA (nprussell).
Apparently everyone is in the same boat so to speak. He states that many "protected" apps are missing from the market. There are generally two reasons why apps will be missing from the market:
When a new ROM or handset is released, the manufacturer (i.e. HTC), sends the build to Google for verification, which includes a 'Fingerprint' (a unique line of text which governs its market access) in one of the build files. Generally, it states the name of the phone and Android version in the fingerprint. With Root & System write access, this fingerprint can be changed, but although it's been claimed that the Desire has recently been Rooted, we still don't have confirmation from any developer of it being able to gain System write access.
Only until Google approve the build, then fingerprint will be added to their allowed database to view these protected apps on the market.
The other cause for apps missing from the market in builds is because of permissions of certain apps. For example, the barcode scanner app requires permissions to use the camera/auto focus. They are NOT protected apps. If the XML permission files are missing from system/etc/permissions, then Google Market will simply block these apps from showing.
HTC need to chase Google up on this and Google need to activate the Fingerprint.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just to confirm this explanation, I actually emailed HTC support asking about the missing apps and this was pretty much exactly what they told me. They are waiting for Google to approve the ROM for copy protected apps, and apparently it takes about a week... so hopefully we can expect full access some time next week. Fingers crossed!
foner78 said:
Just to confirm this explanation, I actually emailed HTC support asking about the missing apps and this was pretty much exactly what they told me. They are waiting for Google to approve the ROM for copy protected apps, and apparently it takes about a week... so hopefully we can expect full access some time next week. Fingers crossed!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nice one Bud, thanks for that update
All back for me Now on Vodafone
Yep. One of those apps for me was Google Earth since this is what I was facing so I installed it from the link here too and all works well: http://www.google.co.uk/support/forum/p/Android+Market/thread?tid=46acda8204439646&hl=en
Sent from my HTC Desire using the XDA mobile application powered by Tapatalk
th3 said:
Yep. One of those apps for me was Google Earth since this is what I was facing so I installed it from the link here too and all works well: http://www.google.co.uk/support/forum/p/Android+Market/thread?tid=46acda8204439646&hl=en
Sent from my HTC Desire using the XDA mobile application powered by Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep, that's about all we can do right now to install apps (or use barcode scanner app) which are not available via the Marketplace.
Tip: For anyone who has not done this yet and would like to know, make sure you first install HTC Sync (found pre-installed via your SD card).
There have been posts about this here and there, but most of them are just asking for advice on how to do it. I plan to follow through and document the solutions I find.
Why, you ask? I don't like Google having so much data on me. I used to not care but in today's environment with SOPA and new NSA data centers and whatnot, well... maybe I'm paranoid but I don't necessarily want anyone to so easily have such a complete profile of all my searches, contacts, location history, etc. Anyway, if you think it's dumb, ok, got it, move along please.
So if I don't like Google then why use Android? Well, a couple of reasons. First of all, Google is not Android. Android is maintained by the Android Open Source Project, which in turn is made up of members of the Open Handset Alliance. Yes, Google is the lead member of the Open Handset Alliance, and yes most of the developers working on the Android Open Source Project are Google employees. But I've been following Android for long enough now to know that Google and Android are for all practical purposes separate entities.
The second reason is because Android is simply the best mobile operating system on the planet right now, and it is free open-source software. I use Ubuntu on my laptop, and I'm not interested in switching to Windows or Mac, so that pretty much rules out iPhone or Windows Phone right there.
But isn't Android really Google's OS? Yes and No. As I mentioned, Google does pretty much run the AOSP, along with device manufacturers. But AOSP is very "provider agnostic." Much of what you see on your phone is not from AOSP. The Galaxy Nexus is a GOOGLE device, not an AOSP device. Gmail, Maps, Market, Location Tracking, etc are all GOOGLE ADDITIONS and are NOT a part of AOSP! When you build AOSP from source (or Cyanogenmod), you end up with an agnostic, neutral device that has practically no mention of anything Google whatsoever.
But what about what you DONT have in AOSP? No Market??? No Gmail??? How can you possibly use Android without these things? Well that is exactly what I intend to find out.
Please feel free to contribute to the discussion with ideas and questions. Hopefully this thread can eventually be helpful for someone else who comes along and wants to do something similar.
More posts to follow as I progress....
EDIT: I should add, I also will try to avoid other "free" services like Yahoo! and Hotmail-- basically anyone who wants to run bots through your mail to sell you ads or sell your data to others who want to sell you ads, etc. I will be trying to use open-source or for-pay services where possible (if it's "free" then YOU'RE the product!).
I commend your ambition, but this is nothing new. There are already non-Google Android handsets an tablets on the market. The Kindle Fire, for example, is non-Google.
You can do the same with a GNex. Just don't add a Google account or use a ROM without the gapps. Install the Amazon App Store, change your default search, and away you go.
please...stay safe
Personally the only Google apps I use are Gmail and the Play store, with an occasional use of maps and goggles.
Having a market is really just for convenience, you could install with APKs like on Windows you have to install from EXEs or MSIs. And if you're that against google you could just use the Amazon marketplace for stuff, though I've heard they take longer to receive updates.
In all honesty I don't know what to suggest except flashing 100% and not signing into Google services in any way or form. What you are asking is not possible unless you use apks from non market source and using Hotmail or something.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus expect possible typos.
If somebody figure out how to use Calendar, without creating google account for at least one time, or tell me the alternative calendar (not just widget) that will not sync with google, it would be nice. For example Smasung TW Launcher has it's own calendar, that you can choose, without google, but pure ICS does not have.
I have tryed many alternative, such as Jorte, Pocket Informant, etc, but they are far away from stock ...
I use:
1mobile.net
4shared.com (You also get 15gb cloud space free)
appbrain.com (get app from 4shared)
I absolutely love Google and all of their services. You're crazy! Good luck with it though.
Somebody needs to come out with a tinfoil hat edition ROM.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk
sashavegas said:
If somebody figure out how to use Calendar, without creating google account for at least one time, or tell me the alternative calendar (not just widget) that will not sync with google, it would be nice. For example Smasung TW Launcher has it's own calendar, that you can choose, without google, but pure ICS does not have.
I have tryed many alternative, such as Jorte, Pocket Informant, etc, but they are far away from stock ...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
THIS is the point of the thread. Replacing Android Market with Amazon App Stores is completely simple and obvious. Getting contacts and calendar syncing, things like that are not so obvious. Mainly because I am not only going to avoid Google, but other services like Yahoo! or Hotmail, etc (anything that's "free" so they can monetize your data).
Stay off the grid bro
Sent from my francoPhone
ChongoDroid said:
Stay off the grid bro
Sent from my francoPhone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly! Lol.
Once you're connected to the internet, you're pretty much open to everyone... You can go offline if you don't want any of these... It's not only google... There's ways you can go anonymous like using proxy.... Using search engine that don't track search data... Google has an option for you to opt-in or opt out... Just like the previous responses, you can use amazon but don't think amazon doesn't track you also... How would they know what to recommend you... Google don't force users to stick only to them... And that's why I like google for this reason only...
Sent from my HTC Sensation 4g with Beats Audio
matt2053 said:
THIS is the point of the thread. Replacing Android Market with Amazon App Stores is completely simple and obvious. Getting contacts and calendar syncing, things like that are not so obvious. Mainly because I am not only going to avoid Google, but other services like Yahoo! or Hotmail, etc (anything that's "free" so they can monetize your data).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There should be some third party app that will do these things, well you use linux, you should know that there's a lot of alternatives... Try if the software you use in ubuntu are available for android
Sent from my HTC Sensation 4g with Beats Audio
Try this one, if you use thunderbird. Seems decent...
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.callicia.birdiesync
Sent from my HTC Sensation 4g with Beats Audio
AndroidNeophyte said:
Once you're connected to the internet, you're pretty much open to everyone... You can go offline if you don't want any of these... It's not only google... There's ways you can go anonymous like using proxy.... Using search engine that don't track search data... Google has an option for you to opt-in or opt out... Just like the previous responses, you can use amazon but don't think amazon doesn't track you also... How would they know what to recommend you... Google don't force users to stick only to them... And that's why I like google for this reason only...
Sent from my HTC Sensation 4g with Beats Audio
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The point isn't really to be 100% anonymous. That would require a dumbphone with prepaid sim or VPN/Proxy setups etc, and that's not what I'm look at. The point is to make an experiment and see how "non-Google" AOSP really is and how useful it is as a mobile OS on its own, without Google proprietary add-ons. Many people say you "have to have a Gmail account to use Android," or "you have to sync your contacts through Gmail" etc and I want to show people how they can do it without Google if they so choose.
AndroidNeophyte said:
Try this one, if you use thunderbird. Seems decent...
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.callicia.birdiesync
Sent from my HTC Sensation 4g with Beats Audio
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, I saw that one and I plan to try it out. I do use Thunderbird, thanks!
AOSP + open source Exchange alternative for syncing Calendar/Email/Contacts hosted on your own server (ie Zimbra)
Sideload all apps
Voila!
matt2053 said:
THIS is the point of the thread. Replacing Android Market with Amazon App Stores is completely simple and obvious. Getting contacts and calendar syncing, things like that are not so obvious. Mainly because I am not only going to avoid Google, but other services like Yahoo! or Hotmail, etc (anything that's "free" so they can monetize your data).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
XDA monetizes your data. Every website does; that's how they pay for hosting and bandwidth.
Use a different calendar app and sync your contacts to Outlook, or just back them up somewhere.
Alright, but you should really start off removing the antenna from your smartphone. Then compile AOSP, don't flash GApps, sideload all APK files.
There, now you're off the grid. Enjoy boredom and next to no convenient functionality.
Hello and good day,
I haven't found any approach in this and ask this to everybody here around. Is there any interest in a security / privacy focused ROM that has the following features:
internet traffic through TOR
GPG / PGP KeyChain with Apps that support GPG / PGP
no apps that are calling home in any way
no facebook integration (but still possible to use facebook chat with OTR encryption)
without google play (add on possible) and focused on free software
possibillity to encrypt the whole phone OR specific folders
possibility to encrypt SMS text messages
Skype / WhatsApp / ICQ..... alternatives with encrypted OTR chat possibilities
video calling alternative based on XMPP or SIP (instead of skype and general video calls)
The apps for this are all there as free software. I just would compile everything in one CWM-flashable ROM that's ready to use.
Interest anyone?
In the first thoughts the following software would apply:
Based on stripped down (because ram matters in terms of fc and huge games) CyanogenMod 9
GPG/PGP: https://code.google.com/p/android-privacy-guard/
k9 mail: https://code.google.com/p/k9mail/
TOR (orbot): https://www.torproject.org/docs/android
browser: https://guardianproject.info/apps/orweb/
ad(-track) block: https://code.google.com/p/ad-away/
free software market: http://f-droid.org/
multi messanger: https://guardianproject.info/apps/gibber/
multi messanger: http://www.xabber.com/
multi messanger / video calls: https://jitsi.org/
maps: http://osmand.net/
openvpn service: http://code.google.com/p/ics-openvpn/
encfs / truecrypt: https://code.google.com/p/cryptonite/
lbe privacy guard (per app based solution to restrict permissions): http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=18948472#post18948472
search engine: https://duckduckgo.com/
kernel fxp216
I am interested in this! Even if there isn't much interest and you end up not making the rom, please post the names of the apps that it would contain for those interested
Sent from my R800i
updated 1st post with software suggestions
konstruktor said:
updated 1st post with software suggestions
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wish this idea would kick into high gear. After reading "No Place To Hide", I think it's time for a ROM with enough encryption and privacy options to make all of us safe.
JT
jttraverse said:
I wish this idea would kick into high gear. After reading "No Place To Hide", I think it's time for a ROM with enough encryption and privacy options to make all of us safe.
JT
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the thing is you would be forced to use other services than that you are used to and that are common. you would have to say goodbye facebook, google, instagram and i dont know what most people use nowadays to give away their rights. as you can see in terms of replys - there are nearly none. no one with this device seem to be interested about that issue.
you would need to use services like jabber/xmpp instead of skype for example and tell your friends about the opportunity. it would be in interest for everyone but the effort for most people is too big.
and what you say about a safe phone - it's not even marginal possible. you can just encrypt your data so nobody can listen what you do. as you use a phone you can still be tracked by your phone number, other services you use with your browser, by blind sms messages used by feds...
edit: just check the first post. there are some alternatives. you can modify your phone like delete everything with the name google, facebook ......... in it and services / apps that require authentication and are calling home. there are several apps you can use to delete system applications and services. then install some new apps via f-droid that respect your privacy like some i mentioned in the first post
Hi!
I just installed the KITKANG rom (cf. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2549776) and a the first glance, it is pretty nice. But then I noticed a few things I really dislike such as
- The Web Browser does not reformat text (to make it fitting on the screen) if you zoom in manually by gesture. The browser I had on my previous image (caynogenmod 7) did this. And I don't want to miss that feature anymore.
- The contacts application seems to work by syncing contacts tothe Google cloud, only. My old contacts app had the choice to store contacts locally on the phone without Google sync.
I have no idea how to get this missing features back, again. Any comments / pointers?
I.
- Install another browser that has this feature
- The newer 'people' app may not have the option to store locally, but why do you want this? The whole point of an Android phone is to sync with your Google account.
It is dangerous to only store your contacts on the phone, because if you ever lose the phone, you lose all your contacts.
If you sync your contacts to your Google account and you lose your phone, your contacts are still safe :good:
eddiehk6 said:
- Install another browser that has this feature
- The newer 'people' app may not have the option to store locally, but why do you want this? The whole point of an Android phone is to sync with your Google account.
It is dangerous to only store your contacts on the phone, because if you ever lose the phone, you lose all your contacts.
If you sync your contacts to your Google account and you lose your phone, your contacts are still safe :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
@ browser issue: I meanwhile learned that the issue cause by a change of the the rendering engine in Android to WebView. So, almost all browsers are affected by this. (For details, google "Text Reflow Removed From WebViews In KitKat, Probably Not Coming Back"). Opera is an exception, because it comes alone with its own machinery. However, I tried Opera and is is slow on my HTC Desire. As many, many other people complaining, I cannot understand why the Android development folks dropped such a fundamental feature. The Android Browser of Kitkat tends to be unusable now! And I consider a smartphone without a proper browser as unusable as well. Which at the end might prevent me from buying another Android smartphone...
@ contacts: I totally disagree. Well, yes, from Googles perspective, your statement might be true. But for the user, Android is at first just an operating system to run your smartphone. Think about why Google wants your data...! - I want to *own* my data, so I don't want to use cloud services. Strange that you think syncing of data is equivalent to syncing to Google! Of course I sync all my data. To my own PC. If I'd loose my phone, I won't loose my data, just re-install it to my new phone from my PC.
It is nice that Google offers syncing. But enforcing to sync *is* evil...
inmado said:
@ browser issue: I meanwhile learned that the issue cause by a change of the the rendering engine in Android to WebView. So, almost all browsers are affected by this. (For details, google "Text Reflow Removed From WebViews In KitKat, Probably Not Coming Back"). Opera is an exception, because it comes alone with its own machinery. However, I tried Opera and is is slow on my HTC Desire. As many, many other people complaining, I cannot understand why the Android development folks dropped such a fundamental feature. The Android Browser of Kitkat tends to be unusable now! And I consider a smartphone without a proper browser as unusable as well. Which at the end might prevent me from buying another Android smartphone...
@ contacts: I totally disagree. Well, yes, from Googles perspective, your statement might be true. But for the user, Android is at first just an operating system to run your smartphone. Think about why Google wants your data...! - I want to *own* my data, so I don't want to use cloud services. Strange that you think syncing of data is equivalent to syncing to Google! Of course I sync all my data. To my own PC. If I'd loose my phone, I won't loose my data, just re-install it to my new phone from my PC.
It is nice that Google offers syncing. But enforcing to sync *is* evil...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can see this descending quickly into a rather philosophical debate, but on the basis of your reasoning I wonder whether an Android smartphone is suitable for your needs in the first place. I didn't know your stance on personal data from your first post.
I agree with the text reflow browser, a really useful feature. Opera has it like you found out, though the Desire is just an old phone now which struggles to run it. Plenty of newer Android devices will run it just fine. The depth of the Play Store is such that you'll almost certainly find an alternative suitable for your requirements, so perhaps test and consider that for future smartphone purchases.
As for syncing with cloud services, it comes down to user trust and needs I guess. You're right you don't have to use Google, but an Android smartphone really does work best if you use their services.
No, I don't think that syncing of all my data is equivalent to syncing to Google, I use other other accounts too and don't sync everything. In my opinion I think it's possible to find a reasonable middle ground between paranoid tin hat and being ignorant about all personal data. For me, I disable all location tracking stuff and usage stats for any apps (not just Google ones), as I don't need them and feel uncomfortable sending this data. But I do sync other google services like Gmail / contacts because I find they work and are convenient for me. You believe it's evil, I believe it's useful and convenient, just a difference of opinion.
For your workaround, if you don't want to sync contacts, you could disable contact sync within the settings. Would be equivalent to local storage. Or install a different contacts app to manage and store contacts locally.
To avoid this philosophical debate, I'll try give a short answer.
I am using Android for about 5 years now. Without using Google cloud services. And have been a happy Android user. Sounds quite funny to me if someone wonders if Android would be the right thing for me.
Using cloud services is not really a matter of trust. I.e. I am not afraid that Google looks into single items and makes use out of it. But if you have heard about "big data", you can imagine what the result can be when all the data of some many people gets available for ... things you cannot even imagine..
I tried to add a contact with Google sync switched off. It just don't work. The app hangs...
inmado said:
To avoid this philosophical debate, I'll try give a short answer.
I am using Android for about 5 years now. Without using Google cloud services. And have been a happy Android user. Sounds quite funny to me if someone wonders if Android would be the right thing for me.
Using cloud services is not really a matter of trust. I.e. I am not afraid that Google looks into single items and makes use out of it. But if you have heard about "big data", you can imagine what the result can be when all the data of some many people gets available for ... things you cannot even imagine..
I tried to add a contact with Google sync switched off. It just don't work. The app hangs...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're revealing more about your preferences and Android experience to date with each post...it's not just me wondering whether Android is right for you, in your second post you said so yourself
Anyway each to their own.
Have you tried installing a completely separate contacts/dialer application? You could sideload or use a different app store to find one. A few I know of:
- Contacts+
- Ex dialer
- RocketDial
- Go contacts ex
I'm certain at least one of them will be able to create phone contacts only.
So i've just seen this video with the title: How to De-Google LineageOS by Mental Outlaw
Content:
Changing the DNS server
Changing the Captive Portal
Changing the Android System WebView implementation
Changing the SUPL Host server
Changing the NTP server
Removing bloatware Google packages
What i already did on my phone running lineageos: set DNS to Quad9 and disable google SUPL, actually i'm not sure which term to use, is SUPL the same as google con check?
Steps taken:
• disable connectivitycheck.gstatic.com (google con check)
• rooted with magisk app
• install termux app
• run termux and type following commands one by one:
su
whoami (verify you are root)
settings put global captive_portal_mode 0
settings list global | grep portal
So instead of changing the "SUPL" server as the person in the video did, i've set it to 0, asuming this is good enough.
But what about the rest, are these steps important? For example is webview implementation permanently active and could it phone home to google or is it only active when viewing a webpage inisde of an app?
LineageOS is de-Googled by default.
Do a clean install of LineageOS, but don't flash your OpenGapps/MicroG zip, only your LineageOS zip.
catto_ said:
LineageOS is de-Googled by default.
Do a clean install of LineageOS, but don't flash your OpenGapps/MicroG zip, only your LineageOS zip.
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Did you even read my post??? LineageOS isn't fully de-googled, zzz.
Privacydroid said:
So instead of changing the "SUPL" server as the person in the video did, i've set it to 0, asuming this is good enough.
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Click to collapse
you've probably broken something GPS related then since it cant ping for some data.
not sure what tho, and if you dont care about gps or dont use that specific gps feature it doesnt matter anyways, just anytime it tries to ping that site it'll time out since 0 isnt a dns/ip address
Privacydroid said:
But what about the rest, are these steps important? For example is webview implementation permanently active and could it phone home to google or is it only active when viewing a webpage inisde of an app?
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Click to collapse
nope, its not permanentally active
its just chromium
mental outlaw (and alot of other linux youtubers) antagonize chromium (for good reason, im a firefox user myself) but they blow it out of proportion, after all chromium isnt riddled with spyware (unlike chrome).
getting rid of the systemwebview is more of a "F** YOU" to google to disturb their market share
yes chromium has some google components (not sure if the webview has any tho) but afaik they dont phone home normally unless you connect to a google account
and yes, its only active while browsing the web using an app that utilizes webview. if you do all your web browsing on a different browser (eg. firefox, brave, bromite) then theres no webview to worry about.
pro-tip btw: use the web versions of all social medias, you avoid using the integrated web view and dont need extra bloat on your device. even the heavier javascript-riddled ones work okay on my 2014 galaxy s5 (72C cpu tho..)
RDS5 said:
you've probably broken something GPS related then since it cant ping for some data.
not sure what tho, and if you dont care about gps or dont use that specific gps feature it doesnt matter anyways, just anytime it tries to ping that site it'll time out since 0 isnt a dns/ip address
nope, its not permanentally active
its just chromium
mental outlaw (and alot of other linux youtubers) antagonize chromium (for good reason, im a firefox user myself) but they blow it out of proportion, after all chromium isnt riddled with spyware (unlike chrome).
getting rid of the systemwebview is more of a "F** YOU" to google to disturb their market share
yes chromium has some google components (not sure if the webview has any tho) but afaik they dont phone home normally unless you connect to a google account
and yes, its only active while browsing the web using an app that utilizes webview. if you do all your web browsing on a different browser (eg. firefox, brave, bromite) then theres no webview to worry about.
pro-tip btw: use the web versions of all social medias, you avoid using the integrated web view and dont need extra bloat on your device. even the heavier javascript-riddled ones work okay on my 2014 galaxy s5 (72C cpu tho..)
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Well, "F** YOU GOOGLE" sounds great to me. Might just not be worth the time if webview doesn't phone anyways, but i rather be sure on that instead of guessing.
I wouldn't be so sure that google components don't phone home without a google account.
So an app utilizes webview means it'll phone home to google, then when is webview utilizesed, permanently while that specific app is in use or only while that app who has the capability of utilizeising webview does actually make use of the "feature".
Bromite is great, just falls behind on updates lately.. there aren't really other great options..
Yeah using services via webbrowser instead of installing an app is always preffered.
PS; most of social media is a cancer, i don't use any )
Privacydroid said:
Well, "F** YOU GOOGLE" sounds great to me. Might just not be worth the time if webview doesn't phone anyways, but i rather be sure on that instead of guessing.
I wouldn't be so sure that google components don't phone home without a google account.
So an app utilizes webview means it'll phone home to google, then when is webview utilizesed, permanently while that specific app is in use or only while that app who has the capability of utilizeising webview does actually make use of the "feature".
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
afaik it doesnt tho, thats why many use chromium. if it does its likely "anonymized" to some extent (still can be de-anonymized) but its minimal enough that most linux distributions (including those with stricter rules) allow plain chromium into their repos.
most apps i use are web-based anyways so i just use them in firefox..
Privacydroid said:
Bromite is great, just falls behind on updates lately.. there aren't really other great options..
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i wish firefox supported webview (possible since geckoview exists) but there doesnt seem to be any work on that done. im not going to use bromite as the minor "im not phoning home the 0.3% of the time i actually need to use an app that uses webview" is too little for the "i have to flash new bromite versions as root any time i wanna update it"
Privacydroid said:
Yeah using services via webbrowser instead of installing an app is always preffered.
PS; most of social media is a cancer, i don't use any )
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Click to collapse
yeah
in general i only use youtube because of the educational and tutorial content on there (which they clearly dont realize is one of the most important parts of their platform, hence the removal of the dislike) but their algorithm is very in favor of clickbait and its ruining these channels..
i wish more would use something like newpipe