Help me clear my questions regarding PWA

djcf

Straight to the point. Are there any security/privacy advantages to use PWA:s instead of native apps in GrapheneOS (with Vanadium browser)? I need access to LinkedIn and Messenger, is it better to use PWA or native apps? Should I put them in a separate user in any case?

Dumdum

djcf is it better to use PWA or native apps?

Depends. You might want features that are only available through native apps (if there are any). You might want notifications or widgets. If not, then a PWA benefits from the security hardening of Vanadium.

djcf

Dumdum Thanks. Notifications are not really necessary, but I really don't want Meta to farm information from my phone just because I don't understand what Vanadium lets the web app do. I've read in other threads that people tend to use PWA's to make profile switching less important for social media etc. But I don't really understand how much information let's say Facebook gets from a PWA in the owner's profile compared to a native app in a separate profile.

[deleted]

djcf I would say PWA gets less user data thanks to Vanadium hardening, lighter (smaller) code and diminished functionality compared to native app. That said, PWA may be more private to use but not necessarily more secure.

djcf

Ok thanks. I guess the safest bet still is using a separate profile to not let the app talk to eachother.

yore

djcf PWAs, from my knowledge, are no different than using the website except that it has the appearance of an app.

For privacy, PWAs are better as apps can get far more information about your device. For some apps that require an app, you can use it as a desktop site and it often works as the site thinks you're on a desktop.

djcf

The problem is that I read different things from different sources. I've also read that PWA can run in the background more like a native app and then the leap to gather telemetry isn't that great in my mind. But as you probably know by now I don't know anything about coding for Android.

But if it is only a html page nd nothibg more I guess Vanadium together with a restrictive DNS service would be far better than a native Meta app.

yore

djcf I've also read that PWA can run in the background more like a native app

I have read similar things too. I presume it has to do with PWAs on desktop, but all I know is that on Android (at least GrapheneOS), PWAs are basically shortcuts to the website.

As for a custom DNS for content filtering, keep in mind that while it may prevent some ads and trackers from loading, the app can know that you are using content filtering, potentially increasing your fingerprint.

djcf

Thanks. I guess I'll use PWAs when I can then.