I have degoogled my phone few years ago it really hit me how much the phones depend on Google services. Few examples from of my daily usage when I compromised:
- Communication
I’m in students group, people there have own group chat on facebook messenger. They share info regarding tests, deadlines etc. Basically standard uni messaging. Unless I had fake Facebook account to be there I would have to collect all info by myself. The alternative is a discord server, which in privacy terms is questionable choice too.
At least I have few friends who use Signal or Element, but it’s minority.
What do you usually use and offer when people ask you for contact?
- Banking app
Banking app I used has blocked me from app after few years of using it when they realized I have it from “unofficial” source - Aurora store. That motivated to switch the bank and app, which doesn’t really on Google Play services. The easiest way to do that was browsing Huawei app store and finding the most suitable app. Do you use baking apps?
- Taxi/Transport
Of course theres no way to use Bolt/Uber for transport on degoogled device. What’s your way of transport after having few beers in pub? Do you use taxi via calling it directly or use that weird Telegram taxi addon?
- Map directions
Is there a way to convert google map pins to open source solutions and vice versa? What’s your recommended software for directions? What do you use for driving?
- Fitness
Do you track fitness activities?
- Phone
Do you have good phone recommendations? I know that GrapheneOS+Pixel is one, but what about others?
How do you feel about the claims of SMS 2FA not being safe? Does that bother you? Or is it a risk you’re willing to take? Genuinely asking because my banking app does the same and I’m not sure how much of a real ‘threat’ SMS 2FA is.
SMS 2FA is not secure, and I don’t particularly care about the security of my bank account. I have a state threat model as a political organiser, a very real one given the arrests, raids, imprisonment, etc I and my comrades have faced, meanwhile I’m not aware of any rando civilians hellbent on stealing my money. And frankly I don’t have that much money to steal anyway. If you’re determined to get my sim card to log into my meagre bank account you probably need the money more than me.
I guess if you’re that worried about SMS security you could get an esim and rely on device encryption to protect it. Wouldn’t be the most secure thing in the world but at least it provides some protection, and if you buy an esim anonymously (e.g. with https://silent.link/) an attacker can’t impersonate you to try get your sim card.