this post was submitted on 12 Nov 2024
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google through only the web, what a fucking joke. if you have a google account check your activity history. it will list the times you have opened an app.
if you don't have a google account but your phone has google services, don't be afraid that you can't check it, they're still harvesting it.
want to avoid it?
Step 0: don't by samsung. xiaomi neither, they plan to make you unable to execute the next step.
Step 1: unlock your phone. take ownership into your hands. but back up your photos, the 2FA Authenticator app's data and whatever else is important, because it will get deleted.
Step 2: install a privacy oriented custom ROM.
Step 3: profit
keep bank services contained in the firefox browser. if they don't allow access there, switch banks, you'll be better off with a smaller one anyways.
GrapheneOS for google pixel phones, otherwise CalyxOS, DivestOS, maybe even IodéOS. All of these are Android but with better defaults, without irremovable spying garbage, and with some features nowhere else available.
if your phone is not supported by these, check LineageOS. or plan your next phone purchase according to the compatibility list of the above. if you're going for longevity but you don't need a flagship, Fairphone is agood choice, if you can look away from the lack of a JACK.
If all else fails, you can try using whatever the lastest community supported fork of Universal Android Debloater is. It uses ADB to remove bloatware, which bypasses vendor locks on keeping certain apps installed.
Obviously no real replacement for custom ROMs, but it's better than nothing.
That's undoubtedly useful, but won't help with the google part, even if it uninstalls some google apps