On Thu, Jul 2, 2015 at 11:59 AM, Keith Lofstrom <[email protected]> wrote:
> On Wednesday, July 1, 2015, Keith Lofstrom <[email protected]> wrote: > > > Google can use a closed source binary module in Chrome and > > Chromium(!) to eavesdrop: > > > > > https://www.privateinternetaccess.com/blog/2015/06/google-chrome-listening-in-to-your-room-shows-the-importance-of-privacy-defense-in-depth/ > > > > Will we need a "no Android" policy for PLUG meetings? > > My doctor wife may no longer allow "smart" phones into > > the patient exam room. > > On Thu, Jul 02, 2015 at 11:11:23AM -0700, King Beowulf wrote: > > > Now that its been identified, the offending code can be easily stripped > out. > > This is true for properly developed Chromium on a Linux > non-phone computer, but what about Android, which is what > I wrote about? Are there functional open-source builds that > can replace stock AndroidOS on a store-bought Android phone? > > My concern is living in a sea of spy phones operated by the > clueless for the benefit of the spy agencies. I worry enough > about my ancient Nokia flip-phone. > > Keith > > P.S. not relevant to much, but my wife's office has ancient > Cisco VOIP phones which are poorly designed, and make loud > noises when a cell phone operates nearby. Nearby cell phones > generate a lot of RF when they transmit, so this can be > detected easily. This would be a handy feature for a later > version of the Blackphone. > > -- > Keith Lofstrom [email protected] > I don't know about Chrome/Chromium replacement, but there are several other browsers available including FireFox for Android, but not sure if this kind of shenanigans is going on there as well or not. As far as replacing Android OS, there are (depending on your device), many ROMs available out there, which are for the most part based on Android Open Source Project (AOSP), which is the most open and "pure" version of Android available, it is what Google develops directly, and is similar to what you would find on a Nexus device. A store bought branded Android phone runs the carrier/manufacturer's modified version (Samsung, Moto, LG, HTC, all add their own touches, as well as the carriers VZW, ATT, TMo, Sprint, etc). There is a fork I suppose you could call it, of AOSP, called Replicant, and is meant to be as open as possible. http://www.replicant.us/ As for the apps, you could use Google's aside from Chrome, or you could go with F-Droid, which is a completely open source repository. https://f-droid.org/ HTH and FWIW Matt M. LinuxKnight _______________________________________________ PLUG mailing list [email protected] http://lists.pdxlinux.org/mailman/listinfo/plug
