Privacy

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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.

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Is there still any hope for privacy phones? 2025 and beyond (lemmy.ml)

submitted 2 days ago by ComradePedro@lemmy.ml to c/privacy@lemmy.ml

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Google has been trying to make Android proprietary for a few years now, and that's not news, as many AOSP default apps have been abandoned over time in favor of proprietary Google ones. This was never a huge problem for me, as you can still use those apps without network access or use open source alternatives like Fossify on a custom ROM.

However, the situation is quickly getting worse, now that Google is actively trying to prevent the development of custom ROMs and taking a page from Apple's book by forcing developers to beg them for permission to release apps on the Android platform, even outside of the Play Store - giving Google full control.

Is there still any hope left for privacy respecting Android ROMs? What do you think will happen next? And what would be your suggestions for those looking for a phone in 2025?

If you have a different perspective on the situation, also please comment below!

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[–] Bronstein_Tardigrade@lemmygrad.ml 15 points 2 days ago (2 children)

At this point, I'm just hoping to grab a HarmonyOS phone soon. I'd rather have China hoovering up my data than the US, 5 &14-Eyes, and fascist US tech corporation. Terrible compromise, but I don't see an inexpensive Linux phone on the horizon any time soon.

[–] Ilandar@lemmy.today 4 points 2 days ago (1 children)

It doesn't have to be one or the other, it is still possible to live without a smartphone (for now).

[–] Bronstein_Tardigrade@lemmygrad.ml 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

In order to obtain and maintain a visa where I live, I am now actually required to maintain a mobile phone number. You are correct, I could live without a mobile phone, but I'd really miss the GPS.

[–] Ilandar@lemmy.today 1 points 1 day ago

I said smartphone, not mobile phone. Some feature phones also have GPS functionality.

[–] HiddenLayer555@lemmy.ml 3 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Issue is whether you can even use it outside of China because of the wireless band difference. I had a Fairphone in Canada that suddenly stopped connecting to the network.

[–] Bronstein_Tardigrade@lemmygrad.ml 1 points 1 day ago

I'm quite sure HarmonyOS won't even be available in the US, and probably banned being it's Huawei. Since I don't live there, I don't care. Asia will be using Harmony with 6G, while the west trundles along with ever more restrictive OSes, 5G, and an ever aging internet infrastructure.