lcalamar Google fi.

Yikes, that's Google as your carrier though...

Why would you even bother with GoS then if you basically undo its privacy protection going with full fledged Google Fi??

    GeorgeSoros Just because someone is using GrapheneOS doesn't mean that they have to "deGoogle". There are many people in the community who happily use Google apps on their phones running GrapheneOS.

    Google apps don't have privileged access on GrapheneOS, so even people who use Google apps are better off in terms of privacy from Google.

    Please allow others on the forum to use their phones as they please without judging them. You're free to do the same with your phone.

      GeorgeSoros Why would you even bother with GoS then if you basically undo its privacy protection going with full fledged Google Fi??

      I would be interested in a serious discussion of specific tradeoffs between Google Fi vs other major carriers.

      Is being surveilled by Google really that much worse than being surveilled by AT&T or Verizon?

      OTOH, I believe Google Fi (also Google Voice) does offer some security improvements relative to most carriers - for example Google's authentication process could significantly reduce the risk of SIM swap attacks if configured intelligently.

      other8026 Google apps don't have privileged access on GrapheneOS, so even people who use Google apps are better off in terms of privacy from Google.

      Does this mean if google put backdoors into its software to enable google or 3rd parties to access apps via remote intrusions, it would be harder to do this type of remote intrusion on GoS?

        other8026 I wonder about this as well. I have google play service, which has both location and network access, so they will know who I am off the bat at least form location (for network I use Orbot). I wonder if I shoot myself in the foot by doing this, and I may as well use pixel OS. thoughts?

          Bootlace1170 I wonder if I shoot myself in the foot by doing this, and I may as well use pixel OS. thoughts?

          First, I think it's important to point out that since most of us don't work at Google, we don't know what data, exactly, they collect and use. Or how they use the data that they collect. Or how/what "anonymized" data is used. So it's best to stick to facts, and not hypothesize about what they might do.

          When I first started using GrapheneOS, I requested a copy of my data using Google Takeout. If you have the chance to do so, do that and compare the information Google has about your devices. GrapheneOS will appear as a different "device," or at least it did when I tried this out. I'd suggest comparing the two if you ever get the chance. It was kind of eye opening for me.

          The biggest thing is what they have access to. On the stock OS they have access to pretty much everything. If you're not comfortable with them having access to almost everything, then I would say don't switch back to the stock OS. Doesn't mean they use the data, but I personally wouldn't be comfortable with anyone having access to my data even if they don't use it. On GrapheneOS, they have very limited access. It's like night and day.

          So, overall, I personally don't see the point in switching to the stock OS just because of network and location permissions.

            other8026 thanks I appreciate it. What’s super odd is that I requested info from Google and they have almost nothing on me, even when I was using stock os. It’s very odd but it could be because I had turned off all the permissions on Google privacy site, like timelines and such, and personalized ads. It was very surprising to see essentially no data on me, but then again I don’t use most of their services even when I was on stock OS and have switched to multiple alternatives. It was the same thing for Apple when I have the iPhone. They had very little on it, except the devices I use and on my IP address.

            GeorgeSoros as I said before, people are free to use their phones as they wish. They also may have valid reasons for using apps/services that you may not think of. It's not their job to justify their actions for you.

            This forum is for GrapheneOS, not a "Google Bad" forum. Yes, many people here do think Google is bad, but that doesn't mean we can be judgemental of people who use Google apps or services.

            Removed some off topic discussion.

            So back to the original topic, I also preordered a Pixel 9 Pro. Looking forward to replacing my Pixel 6.

              other8026 Thanks for the support - sounds like we are in the same boat replacing our 6Ps...

              I am very excited about the smaller form factor on the P9P... nice to get 'most' of the XL features without the bulk.

              NOW - we just need a decent flip phone from GOogle...

              a month later

              Google knocked it out of the park with the P9P. This is the only pixel I've been genuinely excited about after unboxing it.

                • Edited

                NightSky You have a P9P now? What country... :]

                  NightSky

                  Nice, I'm thinking about whether its worth upgrading from the 8 to the 9 pro myself. Largely interested in the better fingerprint reader, not sure what other benefits I may see.

                    treenutz68
                    Fit & finish is MUCH better IMO. The display is amazing too. If its in the budget and you won't lose sleep over the money, I'd recommend it.

                    treenutz68 Whether you upgrade or not is purely a personal cost-based decision.

                    The longer you wait between releases - the more money you save... I went from the P6P to the P9P but if my P6P's display wasn't seriously cracked I'd have waited for the P10x.

                    Also the longer you wait the better the improvement to your experience is... even from the 6P to the 9P - once I'm using the device - it is clear the 9P is a bit nicer in general - but honestly for 90% of what I do - I can't really tell much difference...

                    13 days later
                    • [deleted]

                    other8026 yes, you are absolutely right. As one of our forum members says, people have unalienable right to do things they may later regret. And that is fine because it doesn't affect the rest of us.