If you're not using a custom ROM, you're leaking info like a sieve to OnePlus. I moved to LineageOS because the default OS was sending every app you opened and when to the mothership. Even if they've stopped that, they've got every incentive to suck you dry, and you'll spend much more time fighting your OS than if you just switch to a different one.
this post was submitted on 03 Sep 2023
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Privacy
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A place to discuss privacy and freedom in the digital world.
Privacy has become a very important issue in modern society, with companies and governments constantly abusing their power, more and more people are waking up to the importance of digital privacy.
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Source: https://www.chrisdcmoore.co.uk/post/oneplus-analytics/
Although OnePlus promise to change (https://www.theverge.com/2017/10/15/16479330/oneplus-privacy-complaints-oxygenos-cybersecurity), I dont like giving big company like OnePlus (which is owned by BBK) a second chance.
Hi. Thank u for reply. Is there any smartphone hardening/smartphone hardening guide you can recommend applicable for my current phone? Oneplus
F-droid is good like the other comment suggested. Aurora store is good for anything not available on F-droid.
One thing you can do is track what network connections apps are making with something like https://f-droid.org/packages/com.emanuelef.remote_capture/. It won't help if the OS really wants to do malicious things, but you can monitor your apps at least
You can use Rethink firewall and dns on Fdroid to block the oneplus analytics and whatever you aren't comfortable with.
Doesn't Google record this info already?
Definitely avoid using Google products as much as possible. Use Aurora and F-Droid to install apps.
F-Droid at least will have basic open source apps that replace things like your SMS messenger and phone launcher as examples
The google services are preinstalled they'll send data nonetheless
You can disable a good amount of the apps, does that prevent it from sending data?
Google Play Services is probably the only one that you'll still have to leave on unfortunately. Full privacy isn't going to be obtainable this route
What VPN should i use for this phone?
Doesn't matter, as VPN proxies don't significantly contribute to privacy protection when you're running frigging Google Play Services and whatnot.
From my experience Mullvad is the way to go for privacy. They're only about $5 USD a month and have a great app available from F-Droid.
I recommend you to root your phone. With a rooted device you can debloat your phone very easily with UAD (universal Android debloater) for example. Delete any Google related app and of course any diagnostic app from OnePlus. After you deleted Googles apps including gms (!) You can install microG via an magisk module named microG installer for magisk. You don't need the Playstore, use Aurora instead. But first search on Fdroid if there is an opensource alternative for what you're looking for.
All of this might take an evening, but after it, you have peace of mind. Note that for root, you'll have to unlock the bootloader. This will wipe your data, so do a backup beforehand.
If you want to, I can give you a more detailed guide.
Hi thank u for this and yes can u please send me a PM so we can discuss this further?
All modern smartphones have these trackers baked within, why this even a standard anyway? This should be considered as spyware.