this post was submitted on 01 Apr 2025
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Privacy

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Ive just startee getting into privacy, but i had a few questions.

  1. I havent switched operating system yet due to fear of losing my data. I have a lot of pictures, contacts and messages i dont want to go missing. I have a one plus and i really love it. I do not want a pixel phone. Is there a way i can maintain privacy without changing phones?
  2. If i delete google play services, will my phone not work correctly?
  3. I have been replacing my apps with open source apps, is that helpful?
  4. What vpn should i use? I have malewarebytes.
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[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 days ago (1 children)

antivirus software is, most of the time, spyware.

it shouldnt be needed on android anyway, if you keep it updated and don't sideload stuff.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Yikesss. Ill discontinue it. I definitely got a few viruses on my computer back in the day. And i sail the high seas from time to time, so i dont want to get any foolishness from that.

I also do not update my device on time. Usually when i updaye my phone or windows computer, something be wrong with it for several weeks, so ive stopped updating them until it force updates. Do you why that is?

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) (1 children)

quality control on these updates are honestly on a downhill. especially on windows and some android manufacturers (looking at you, samsung).

they are still necessary to keep your computer safe though, but you don't need to install them immediatly. i usually wait a bit until they had time to retract them if they break something big.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Makes sense, i always ignore them until necesary. My cousin alwat told me to never let the computer update. Hes a programmer and i didnt know why.😭

How often do they update another android distros like graphene and lineage? Like at similar intervals?

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (1 children)

told me to never let the computer update

probably beause sometimes, they sneak in stuff we may not want with updates. totally understand where hes coming from.

graphene and lineage

every few months, every few days, or every other day. depends on device.

updating every few months or so is good enough for most people. alternative, open source software wont really come with garbage anyway, so no big deal.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 hours ago (1 children)

Yep thats why my windows taskbar doesnt hide anymore. They messed it up on one of the updates. So frustrating.

Makes sense. I do want to try the open source software! People say graphene is the best but im not buying a pixel when i love my one plus. And the way people say the battery life is digusting🤣🤣 Linegage ive heard good things about. But they dont have one for my oneplus device. And im afraid of not having my shit backed up. I just want to try degoogling without resetting my device!

[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 hours ago* (last edited 11 hours ago) (1 children)

you can start by replacing the apps you already use. don't need to overwhelm yourself and do it all at once.

replacing chrome for firefox is a good place to start. or using aurora and fdroid instead of google play. or heliboard instead of google board. start small.

it will depend on what you are using and how. some things are hard to replace, some has multiple better alternatives.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 10 hours ago

Yepp! Firefox was an easy change. I use it on my computer! I love the helioboard. But i feel like im making a bunch of spelling mistakes with it😅 Thats truu. I do not like sms alternatives, any recomendations? Im currently using quik and i dont like how clunky it is. It looks weird.

Yeah i need to take it easy i just want to change everything all at once🤣 I changed my notes app, calendar app, keyboard, clock app and sms all on the same day🤣🤣