First of all, I apologize if this has been asked before, but I searched around and didn’t see it.
What would be the downside to installing a google app? So, they can track within the app, but is it more limited without an advertising ID? I’m sure it’s best to avoid google apps if you get a de-googled phone, but that could go for any app that you “side load” or try to obtain via play store (if that is even possible) or wherever else. Is it possible to sandbox an app like that maybe?
I’m not sure if I’m even asking the right question(s), so feel free to expand on what I clearly don’t know. Essentially, I don’t want to undo the whole purpose of getting a de-googled phone, or how can I minimize any exposure if I decide I need to install a google or other side loaded app.
I would not say there is a specific downside to installing a Google app. Lots of folks have purchased many apps, and would like access to those. However, maybe it’s better to say that there is an upside to you… because you now have more control over what apps have access to, and what Google has access to.
Since Iode doesn’t have the Google tie-in, like a Google phone, there is no clean way to build a profile of you over a long period. You control it, and with the Iode blocker, you can see what apps are talking to where, and decide to allow or deny that communication.
In the US we have Home Depot, a large DYI/hardware store. I never knew just how much that app chatters back to corporate, until I loaded it in Iode. Now, I can turn it on and off if I wish. But at least now you know.
Thanks for the clarity - just what I was looking for. I’m very curious to see what my new Brax3 blocks for these privacy pirates. Any suggestions to read/follow / YT channels to get up to speed with IodeOS? -Thanks!
Being the BraX3 is new, I would maybe look at the iode website, for OS related content. This community, as the content builds, will also benefit… but that will take a little time.
The main reason I went for the Brax3 + Iodé, is that I work in monitoring - and we can actually load some frontend probes even into Android/IOS apps.
And, the amount of unsolicited data requests to various data-leeches (I call these like this) is amazing. When an application starts, it tends to officially access to 2 up to 5 official back-ends. However, depending on the advertising data loaded through back-channels, it could go up to 100 external requests which are IMHO just a way to get to your data.
A very simple example is when you have your own DNS server at home, and added a RPZ datasource to it (kind of Hijacks the SOA for the specified FQDNs - started doing that 20+ years back, only then I had to maintain my own lists. Now you have the pi-hole project literally doing the same). All of a sudden, the large majority of Advertising disappears. Even on the computers/Browsers, no more ads (Make sure you disable DoH), or very few.
Iodé does something similar out of the box, but you can configure your own DNS Server according to the docs (which I will do ).
Remember - if it’s free, it’s you they want! As simple as that. And your data is worth lots of money for them.
So - yes, not using the official channels to install an app is a pain. But Google & Co. have made it mainstream to collect your data, and they totally control it. You have no influence on it.
And, usually then opensource guys make better software. Not bloated, and does exactly what you need. I tend to buy them coffee on a regular base
).