I'm not here to downplay people's issues or the implications as to what the future holds, but how many here will be affected by these changes? I'm leaning towards buying a Fairphone the next time my phone breaks down, but these changes won't currently affect me as far as I know.
this post was submitted on 05 Jun 2026
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Privacy
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I use guests on Linux extensively. My IT has no idea which win OS I even run my outlook on...
I'd love a full VM Guest experience but android (or derivative) based. I've not found a way to do that.
I had another thought to just plonk a phone on my home network with a cheap cell provider. Then share that out VPN to all my subsequent devices (more phones, tablets, work computer) to access the screen. Then Alphabet could get stuffed. That phone would never know where I am physically. I don't use payment services etc.
- I did a search today(kvm control of a phone) and this popped up. Something that can control the phone out of the USB port. I need to think on this further... https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/glinet/comet-q
My partner went back to an pixel 7 so I'm going to take her pixel 8 and see about putting Linux or Graphene on it.
If it works well I'll put it on my pixel 8 and if her 7 pushes for an update then that will go Linux/Graphene
Whenever a malicious app breaks or scammers get to you, its always through the google play store. Their shit isnt even safe to make this fucken claim about safety.
Right but its official, so its safe. That's what matters. Not whether it has malware or not.
But most importantly, some rich asshole will make some money this quarter and that’s all that matters
Direct Link to Petition mentioned in Post
Remember Change.org is a for profit company, when they ask you to “chip in”, do not do that, if you wish to chip in donate to an advocacy org that fights stuff like this such as the Electronic Frontiers Foundation.
They won't let me because my email address is for my personal website... How stupid is that‽
We all love grapheneOS, but please stop buying Google Pixels to do it. It's such a contradicting action to first stuff googles pocket with even more money, and then be like "I am privacy conscious." Please spend your money on alternatives that will put the money to actually developing good alternatives like FairPhone.
Second hand and refurbished is a thing
How about putting your money where it will actually contribute to foss tech
Just don't buy them new, and it becomes far more ethical.
(US perspective disclaimer)
It's unfortunately a lot more involved and a lot less stable/reliable to install graphene on non-pixel phones. Most of the big names are extremely locked down on the hardware end, and for a good few years Google was basically the only big tech hardware manufacturer that still let people root their devices. They were consistently better than Samsung, Motorola, and of course Apple in this one category and so were the go-to despite it giving money directly to Google in the process. I get that giving money to big tech in general was part of the problem but there were legitimately few to no good alternatives until pretty recently.
If you check the officially supported hardware list for GrapheneOS, you will find that it's exclusively populated by different Pixel models :/
Last I remember (before writing this) FairPhone was an exclusively EU product and wasn't available in the United States, mostly for environmental reasons surrounding shipping. I just checked and it appears they are now available over here via Murena which is really good to know; if/when the time comes where I need to replace my current phone I'll be strongly considering them as an option.
There are also the Chinese smartphone brands which are increasingly becoming compelling options. I'll probably be looking into some of those too but the govt here seems very trigger happy on banning Chinese manufacturers, and I think several of them also don't allow rooting either.
I hope they push this out and spark the ire of the EU, who tells them to unfuck it or starts funding an alternative like Ubuntu Phones or something. That would be an amazing outcome.
Unfortunately, things have to get worse before they get better. It's how people learn.
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This is a nice list I'd consider for new phones. Murena (France) with /e/OS (France) on: Fairphone (Netherlands) Hiroh (USA) SHIFTphone (Germany) Teracube (USA) Punkt MC03 (Switzerland) Volla (Germany) with Volla OS or Ubuntu Touch (Germany) Jolla (Finland) with Sailfish OS (Finland) Purism Librem (USA, manufactured in the USA)
Purism is a grift, should be removed.
Many people are still waiting on phones they ordered years ago.
I pre-ordered a pair of the mobile phones. I eventually got them. They aren't very good, but I have them.
I'd say the most helpful thing they've done is lead the way on adapting Linux and its applications to display and be interactive on small touchscreens. Many people wanting to run Linux on a phone will have Purism to thank for making it viable. They made a lot of upstream contributions.
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i got a fairphone from murena with /e/OS preinstalled recently. i love it so far, but theres a weird glitch where it will randomly switch timezones and only goes back when i restart it and some apps are a little broken.
the issues are relatively minor and its nice to have a phone i know i can plan to keep for a really long time. also the camera is so much better than my old phone. some people said its mid compared to other new phones but if i wanted a camera that nice id buy a real camera.
So, do I finally need to learn about GrapheneOS? What are other people doing?
Graphene is only of help (today) if you buy some shit from Google namely a Pixel. If you have another phone, step numero uno is always to learn what custom ROMs are available for your make and model.
Used Pixels are cheap and the money doesn't go to Google again.
It supports Google by making their reseller market strong. People will buy pixels knowing they will be of value on the reseller market thus strengthening the primary market.
That's the problem with buying a used Pixel.
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Graphene is by far the best. I highly recommend it.
Right now you need a Pixel to run it but soon you can get a Motorola that works with it.
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haven't rooted an Android phone in quite some time, but looks rooting is back on the menu
This is why I'm happy about Motorola next year
With some luck I'll have time to put together my diy palmtop-esque machine, but we'll see if that works out.
I really hope the Motorola thing actually pans out. Based on the general state of things I’m done with both Apple and Google.
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For anyone who hasn't heard, Motorola is partnering with GrapheneOS to release compatible phones in 2027.
And what are we supposed to do about it?
I made a goddamn prediction back in 2012 when Google was introducing the Nexus line of handsets. I FUCKING KNEW this "open platform" bullshit had it's days numbered.
These companies are fun when they're young, but they will ALWAYS turn on the consumer.
Adam Smith was right. Without ethics and morals, the system WILL crumble.
Ethics and morals are irrelevant when the entire economic paradigm is designed to reward whatever makes the most profit regardless of ethical considerations.
We have extremely moral billionaires preaching their theology in silicon valley, so it should all be fixed pretty soon.
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Everyone happy about motorola and GOS scene, moto has been recently found out for some honey pot scam they were doing in people phone. So the brand we will be paying is not that good and is also just evil like Google
Is this the Honey scandal all over again? Motorola phones caught adding affiliate codes to Amazon orders
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This is the reason I've disabled automatic system updates since 2024.
it will not come with system updates, but with updates to the google play services package. you can't disable that. how else would they lock down most phones if manufacturers only supply updates for such a short time, if any.
I'm on GrapheneOS on tablet and phone running mostly/exclusively open source, so not affected.
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Is this update going to affect older Android versions in phones that stopped receiving OS updates years ago?
And, if so, how do I disable all OS updates entirely?
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Until people fork and forget Google, they will always control Android.
The only reason I have an android is that the laundry app I'm forced to use runs through it. It's literally only still surviving because capitalism contrived a way to tie it to my basic needs.
Laundry... app?
It's exactly as stupid as it sounds. Landlord decided we need to pay through an app. My budget overrules my principles, and the local laundry mats are at least five times the price, so... Yeah.
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