I would like to ask for some guidance on reaching a balance in terms of setup.
Constraints:
I can’t replace android with something else because of work authentication and security purposes and I use a laptop which runs on windows.
I’m not fond of iOS.
I use cloud drive a lot and the integration between google drive and gmail is handy of course.
What I’ve done so far:
Switched from Chrome to Brave and then to Firefox qwith uOrigin Block and VPN always on.
I still use google for searches and I think Qwant was the best so far, but would appreciate some opinions.
I have now installed Thunderbird mail service on desktop and mobile with the idea that it will make it harder for google to use my emails to profile.
I always used bitwarden for pass management.
Installed Signal and will use it for closest relatives and continue with whatsapp for the rest of the world.
Questions I have:
Is thunderbird enough to prevent google from profiling, albeit they can still read and track?
Should I keep Gmail as legacy and start afresh with Proton or Tuta?
Proton seems to be the most complete solution in terms of email + calendar + cloud storage. Is this the best option?
Tuta is building their cloud drive solution but I read that app usability is not as good as proton.
For Android users, how can you reduce Google’s data collection without switching to iOS or a custom ROM.
I need real traffic information which again Google maps leads and Waze follows. Which other options have you used to strike a balance?
What sacrifices in convenience have you found worth it vs. not worth it?
First of all, switching from the gmail app to thunderbird for your gmail does nothing to “make it harder for google to use my emails to profile”. So you’re on the right track looking at other providers. I recommend Mailbox. They offer calendar, contacts, and cloud storage included with your email plan, its all-in-one. Then you will be able to use it in Thundebird and you can use Davx5 to sync your contacts (carddav), calendar (caldav), and cloud (webdav) with your device.
I know its hard to degoogle at first, I know I just went through it, but I promise once you open yourself to alternatives (like Magic Earth instead of Google Maps) and read lots about Google’s unethical spying tactics, it becomes a lot easier!
Btw, I don’t view any of the changes I made as “sacrifices” per say. I just switch to something new, get used to it, and take satisfaction knowing I am maintaining the basic human right to privacy.
Additional things you can do for your current device is using Canta (will also require Shizuku) to debloat your phone of all of the unnecessary BS thats tracking you. And you can install Rethink DNS as an always on VPN so you can block tracking domains from the various apps on your phone.
They can still read your emails and potential profile you yes so it’s not much different but it is more of a good mitigation. That’s what I did for my college email but I couldn’t send emails through K-9 Mail unfortunately so I always used the web app, speaking of, if you can replace things with a web app, use that and use a browser like brave
This will very much significantly reduce your profiling if you switch yes, and it really isn’t hard nowadays, the only problem is for storage, you will need patience if you wanna move files
I will agree with @LogicBrawler here, Cantas and Shizuku is looking like a decent option for deblosting, in fact it’s the first thing I’ll use when I get the S25
Google Wallet vs Google Messages RCS
Google Wallet I’m okay with sacrificing but RCS Google, I am missing out on the E2EE and is not yet standard so yeah.
Try to see if using a Google Pixel with GrapheneOS might not be doable regarding your company’s security too. You can have a 2nd profile where you can still enable some sandboxed Google Services for “annoying apps”.
Are the auth/security tools some software double-checking what’s running on the mobile itself?
Depends if you’re comfortable with self-hosting, you could indeed also have your own “Google Translate” + all the calendars + contacts + passwords + “Google Drive” + some “PiHole” too.
Maybe the most annoying part is being sure that you won’t lose anything important by deleting your Google account because some places might be important (like taxes etc). Try to get over all of your emails page by page and keep track on what you do opt out from.
Maybe also do not replace all the email with a new Tuta/Proton but rather maybe create a new account with those new Tuta/Proton emails, if you have the time/courage.
@LogicBrawler never heard of Magic Earth, looks like an almost perfect tool!
Hopefully at some point they will support some Monero or alike. Might be a good addition to the recommendations then!
Indeed, Privacy can sometimes be about a better tool rather than just more friction.
never heard of Magic Earth, looks like an almost perfect tool!
Hopefully at some point they will support some Monero or alike. Might be a good addition to the recommendations then!
Care to expand on that? I have seen that mentioned a few scant times about there being some sort of subscription or something. But I have never once encountered any screen or anything else in Magic Earth asking me to pay. Its fully free as far as I can tell. Been using it a year now.
Thanks again. I wasn’t sure if my post would be approved to be published and on the meantime I say Proton ultimate at half price for a year. Thought I would try it and started a new email account and have started the transition. Was this a good approach?
Thanks you. I wasn’t sure if my post would be approved to be published and on the meantime I say Proton ultimate at half price for a year. Thought I would try it and started a new email account and have started the transition. Was this a good approach?
Any small step forward is a good approach, take it easy with Privacy to not get overwhelmed.
And also get the feel for the app to also forge your own opinion of the product. It might be the recommended one, if you don’t like it: you won’t use it.
For maps probably see if Apple Maps web app works good enough for your city(ies)?
What I did was:
Debloating
try not to use google account to login your apps
PWA via non-chrome browsers, the same browser should not be logged into Google.
Perform all usual user settings to mitigate Google data collections.
I would say keep it, meanwhile update your contacts with your new e-mail address, set mail forwarding. You could delete the account 1,2 years later, just make sure you no longer need it.
Are you required to install MDM of any kind on your phone? If yes, at least open a separate profile and keep work stuff in that profile.
Agree. I was thinking of using dummy Google accounts for services like waze or Google maps with VPN. I suppose it still gets the device ID so Google may still be able to link a dummy account to a real one?
