# Questions regarding a private threat model

**URL:** https://discuss.privacyguides.net/t/questions-regarding-a-private-threat-model/34835
**Category:** Questions
**Tags:** please-eli5
**Created:** 2026-01-21T02:30:18Z
**Posts:** 18
**Showing post:** 15 of 18

## Post 15 by @pine — 2026-01-23T14:15:57Z

Hello, and welcome to the forums. :slightly_smiling_face:

I think your first question:

> [@anon8259564](#):
>
> is an Android smartphone using LineageOS “private” enough?

is difficult to answer. Many, if not most, here would say no, while some argue it depends on your threat model’s severity.

If you _are_ drawn to GrapheneOS, but want to avoid giving money to Google, I concur that a used or refurbished Pixel may be a good way to go. Though just as a head’s up, opinions are split on used devices, as you’ll see with a search or two around the forum.

If that doesn’t seem viable, do look into why GrapheneOS is the official Privacy Guides recommendation, while the iPhone is the closest runner-up. Another user was kind enough to just recently provide an overview of many related threads discussing why other mobile OS’ aren’t typically recommended (which is not just due to security, but privacy concerns as well):

> [@Android Recommendations Should Reflect Real Life, Not Just Worst-Case Threat Models](https://discuss.privacyguides.net/t/android-recommendations-should-reflect-real-life-not-just-worst-case-threat-models/34840/22):
>
> I also see the disrepancy you bring up. The [smartphone OS criteria](https://www.privacyguides.org/en/android/distributions/#criteria) is a lot more security-focused compared to the [desktop/laptop OS criteria](https://www.privacyguides.org/en/desktop/#criteria). Even though there are security-focused criteria for desktop/laptop OSes—(like “Receives regular software and kernel updates” and “Avoids X11, as its last major release was more than a decade ago”—it is outright admitted in the [Linux overview article](https://www.privacyguides.org/en/os/linux-overview/#security-notes) that there are security downsides. This implies that we give leeway to desktops/laptops OSes (e.g., in orde…

Your second question might be answered by the concept of “Compartmentalization”. Beyond the forum threads, PG has a nice video about it, if you haven’t seen it yet:

> [@Compartmentalize Your Life (and Your Privacy)](https://discuss.privacyguides.net/t/compartmentalize-your-life-and-your-privacy/28059):
>
> Hey everyone! waving_hand This week is a special video for Pride month rainbow_flagtransgender_flag, we’re talking about compartmentalization and why it’s such an important privacy technique not only for the Queer community but for everyone to utilize. I hope you enjoy the video, I’m looking forward to hearing what you think smiley

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