• GeneralPixel 8

  • Is there a reason to use different profiles for privacy in my case?

I've heard it be recommended to have different profiles to separate Google Play services and various apps. I currently have a single profile and a bunch of apps which I haven't used aside from ProtonVPN which is tied to my identity. I installed many apps through Google Play using a brand new anonymous account I made on the phone which I will probably delete.

I intend to feed all of my apps which are not tied to my identity through Orbot and leave the rest as they are with just a VPN. Since the Apps are sandboxed and can't share data with one another, is there any reason to separate my anonymous and non-anonymous apps through profiles?

    weuh

    Yes.

    1. You can't use Orbot and a VPN app in the same profile at the same time. (I assume you would need to use Orbot in VPN mode.)

    2. The sandbox doesn't prevent apps in the same profile from communicating if they are designed to do so. It only prevents apps from reading data of other apps without the other app's consent.

        Probably9857 Ah yeah you're right about Orbot and the VPN not working together. Maybe I'll just use Tor browser for some things and have the VPN on all the time.

        Is there still a reason to isolate Google Play services if you just have 3-4 non-anonymous apps installed through it? Google Play would only be able to interact with the few apps I download off of it right?

            weuh Is there still a reason to isolate Google Play services if you just have 3-4 non-anonymous apps installed through it? Google Play would only be able to interact with the few apps I download off of it right?

            It depends on the apps. Where they were installed from doesn't necessarily matter. An apk from github can still contain Google libraries and use Play Services.

            You will have to consider how much you trust your apps, how important it is to keep your identity & activities separated, and if the inconvenience of separate profiles is justified. Only you can make that decision.