I am a Tasker enthusiast and when I can automate something simple on my phone I like to. I set a simple task to turn off WiFi when my home network is not detected so my phone doesn’t scan and report my location to businesses. However, this functionality is now nonexistent and the developer has to ask people not to one-star their app because it doesn’t work. My phone is my phone and killing my ability to use it as such for whatever security theater Google is playing at is why I root my device. Anyone else still rooting for similar reasons?

  • Possibly linux
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    3 months ago

    You could just not use Google Android. Lineage OS all the way with no Google apps

    • trevor@lemmy.blahaj.zone
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      3 months ago

      Google has a disproportionate and overwhelming say in AOSP. What do you think Lineage OS is based on?

      When Google makes API changes to Android, it hurts AOSP too. Can the devs try to maintain the legacy API on their own? Sure, but it’s extra effort, so it’s usually not something you can count on.

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        3 months ago

        True, but there isn’t a lot of options. At least with Lineage OS the apps are all separate and not abandonware

    • circuscritic@lemmy.ca
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      3 months ago

      Security and Privacy are not the same thing.

      Stock Google is absolutely a hit to ones privacy, but LineageOS is a often big hit to device security.

      If you don’t have a Pixel, and therefore can’t use GrapheneOS, check and see if your device is compatible with DivestOS.

      However, neither will offer root support for reasons that both devs have decent write-ups explaining within each project’s documentation.

      I do realize that not everyone places security above all other factors when deciding on their smartphone OS, but I think they should be aware of the trade-offs so they can make an informed decision.

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        3 months ago

        Lineage OS is in fact not terrible for security. Other than a unlocked boot loader I have not seen anything wrong with it.

        As for Divest OS is has all the same issues as Graphene OS.

        • circuscritic@lemmy.ca
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          3 months ago

          The inability to relock the bootloader is gigantic security vulnerability. It negates, or entirely voids, a significant amount of a devices physical security, including FDE.

          There are other security issues with LineageOS, but that’s part of the trade-off. There’s nothing inherently sinister or incompetent about that, it’s just the nature of the beast.

          Regardless, I’m not here to chastise anyone’s choice of OS, or to even imply that there is a right, and wrong ROM, there isn’t.

          I was just pointing out that there are pros and cons, and users should be aware of them when making those decisions.

        • Emotet@slrpnk.net
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          3 months ago

          Why do you keep stating blatantly false info as facts when it is obvious that you’re knowledge of the topic at hand is superficial at best?

          In this comment thread alone you’ve stated that:

          • to avoid “Google Android”, one should use Lineage OS (?)
          • Apps on Lineage are some kind of separated on Lineage OS and not abandonware (??)
          • Lineage OS is not terrible for security, because you haven’t found anything wrong with it besides that small little, insignificant detail of an unlocked bootloader (???)
          • DivestOS has “all the same issues” as GrapheneOS(???)

          Genuinely not trying to stir up shit, I’m curious. Why?