Best privacy setup for Chromebook

Hi guys,

Can anyone recommend the best privacy setting for Chromebook?

Thx

AFAIK unmodded Chromebooks are just like phones - they connect and send data to Google.

Is it possible for you to not connect it to the internet, like ever?

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AFAIK completely disconnecting a ChromeOS or CromeOS Flex would not work, as logging in with a google account is required.

Just disable as much data collection as possible using provided toggles.

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Adding to this, consider setting DNS to a privacy respecting provider, using a burner account, setting sync off for everything in both the browser and OS settings, and using replacements for Google apps and services within the device. You should also go to the hidden android settings and turn off permissions for all apps to the highest degree usable for you.

ChromeOS gives a higher degree of security compared to traditional Linux distros, but you have to fight to get any semblance of privacy. Even then, the end result is at best 75-80% of the privacy of Linux, and that’s me being generous in some aspects.

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If you want to do that, you could always install Linux on the Chromebook.
I do assume you want to stay on ChromeOS tho?

Many years ago when I first started my privacy journey I had a Chromebook. Unfortunately, I didn’t make any notes on what I did to that machine to “increase” privacy.

One thing I do remember is setting a sync passphrase to encrypt anything going to Google Drive. Google claimed they couldn’t read any of the data ( yeah right ).

If staying on ChromeOS, there is no such thing as privacy tbh.
You’re literally sitting at Google HQ with all spotlights on you.
You can put a hoodie sure, won’t make your activity on the hardware more private. :grinning_face_with_smiling_eyes:

But hey, they are dirt cheap machines.
Nowadays, Framework just won the crown and supports Linux without any hacks of any sort.

I thought I was pretty clear that I don’t believe Google’s claims about not being able to read the data coming out of a CB.

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Won’t a phone number be required to set up that Google account? So, in essence, a Chromebook requires KYC?

Probably one of the most KYC hardware yes.

Even Apple allows you to do things without an AppleID.

AFAIK, that’s not possible on an Apple Watch, iPhone, or iPad.

Pretty much sure you can still use it on iPad + Apple Watch.
I mean, a watch needs a paired iPhone anyway.

But I think you can have an expensive overpriced clock ticker for 1000€ yes.

iPhone 100% you can and iPad too, I don’t see you wouldn’t.
You again, would lose a lot in comparison of an Apple laptop/desktop but that’s the drawback of it. :+1:t2:

How do you use an iPhone or iPad without an Apple ID?

Michael Bazzell has an extensive way on how to use such a thing haha.
It’s a dumb phone pretty much but you can still do contacts, agenda and other very basic stuff.
Expensive calculator pretty much.

An iPad, I haven’t double-checked but I think you can omit the AppleID too.
You will lose the entire ecosystem of apps but it’s doable.
You can definitely prompt Skip once setting up the device.

Unless I missed a recent update?

It’s not obvious to me how to set up either an iPhone or an iPad. I have both. I get that you can’t use the App Store as that requires an Apple ID.

Factory reset them, then don’t login to anything when prompted.
Maybe not connecting to a WiFi can help with having such a prompt.
Naomi has a guide on that one I think.

That’s the whole point of why some people still even consider Apple as a privacy-okay company: because you don’t need to use an AppleID. :+1:t2:

As @kissu said, yes this setup would require a KYCed google account.

Do you have an iPhone or an iPad?

Let’s say yes.