News for hackers. Stuff that matters.
Re:Google to require developer verification to install and s... by aleph_minus_one on Monday August 25, 2025 @08:21PM (#45020805)
> He just said "I don't own a smartphone", ignoring the fact that many people become very disadvantaged without one.

I know quite some people who live this way, and are very willing to overcome inconvenient hurdles to avoid having to use such a spying device.

Re:Google to require developer verification to install and s... by MiddleEndian on Monday August 25, 2025 @09:49PM (#45021368)
>I know quite some people who live this way, and are very willing to overcome inconvenient hurdles to avoid having to use such a spying device.

This is kind of a lazy approach, and it's a good thing Stallman did not have that attitude towards personal computers.

But it's a bummer that there's no real equivalent for mobile devices. I use an Android device and I already consider it to be more locked down than Windows. Generally more irritating than Windows as well (maybe not Windows 11)

I also use it as little as possible (unfortunately more and more things require it) and try to get the smallest functional (for me) Android devices.

Re:Google to require developer verification to install and s... by pabs3 on Monday August 25, 2025 @10:45PM (#45021731)
There are alternatives, using them involves sacrifices though, and there the modem baseband isn't replaceable yet. Take a look at GrapheneOS, F-Droid, Replicant, Purism Librem, PinePhone, PostmarketOS, PureOS, Mobian etc.

https://wiki.debian.org/Mobile

Re:Google to require developer verification to install and s... by yupyupyups on Monday August 25, 2025 @08:32PM (#45020874)
Okay, let's say you just became an enlightened person who understands that the current state of things need to be fixed.

To actually free yourself requires both commitment on your end and work on other people's end, those people who help facilitate alternatives and guide others to having more freedom and privacy. We need more of that work.

The speakers of the world have their place, of course, but that's not the most important part of the solution.

Re:Google to require developer verification to install and s... by aleph_minus_one on Monday August 25, 2025 @09:37PM (#45021301)
> To actually free yourself requires both commitment on your end and work on other people's end, those people who help facilitate alternatives and guide others to having more freedom and privacy. We need more of that work.

Such people both lead by example, and try to inspire others towards following their example/lifestyle. The problem rather is that most people want a different lifestyle (in the particular example of privacy and freedom "one with less radical consequences", which I consider to be rather contradictory, but this discussion shall be off topic).

To give an analogue: many vegetarians both lead by example, and inspire others to become vegetarians. But many people nevertheless don't want to become vegetarians.