You have to stop them somehow, and protect your privacy. First logical question would be: Would you give up a smartphone? Never! Alright, what then?
You can try to modify Google’s Android, as it was tried by Cyanogen project (abandoned in 2016) and its successor Lineage OS – operating system for mobile devices, developed as free and open-source software based on the official releases of Android. The idea was noble, but it was not possible for the developers to follow a rapid hardwer and sofware improvements of a various manufacturers models.
Another possibility would be a development of a deGoogled operating system which could work with multiple hardware platforms. For example, like /e/ Project of /e/ foundation – completely deGoogled, open source, privacy-enabled version of Android:
You can install /e/OS at many (mainly older) smartphnes, or you can buy a new phone with preinstalled /e/OS.
Here is, for example, the cheapest model, Gigaset /e/-GS290 which goes for 259,90€, and has following specs:
| Hardware | specifications |
|---|---|
| Networks | 2G/3G/4G LTE |
| Sim Slots | Dual Nano-SIM |
| Display size | 6.3 in/16 cm, 14.5 x 6.7 cm |
| Screen resolution | 2340 x 1080 – 19.5:9 |
| Internal Memory | 4GB |
| Internal storage | 64GB |
| Front facing camera | 4 megapixel |
| Rear facing camera | 16 megapixel |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 |
| Wifi | 802.11a/b/g/n |
| Expandable storage | yes, up to 256 GB |
| NFC | yes |
| VoLTE | Not yet supported by /e/OS on this phone |
| VoWi-Fi | Not yet supported by /e/OS on this phone |
| Headphones | 3,5mm stereo |
| Charges via | USB-C |
| Dimensions | (HxWxD) 157 × 75.1 × 9.65mm |
| Weight | 190 g |
| SAR | 0.46w/kg |
And you get /e/OS synchronised free account with your email address that ends with “@e.email”, 1GB of free and private storage, convenient backup and access for your mail, calendar, contacts, documents, tasks and notes…
Hmmm, not bad at all for the price. That is, unless you can believe Android could be deGoogled completely. If not…
The third, and arguably the best solution, is to ditch Android completely, and go for a new platform with a new operating system. People have already done that. A company named Purism have made a modular hardware platform driven by the new PureOs, linux based operating system. Their model named Librem 5 has several interesting features. For example, it is completely modular…
…it has hardware kill switches for the key components, like WiFi, Bluetooth, cellular signal, microphone & camera…
…and thank God, you can replace (and upgrade) your battery again:
Furthermore, with PureOS you will get a true convergence between the smartphone and Librem laptop line, as this is one and the same operating system on all Librem devices:
And contrary to the Apple pirates, you get lifetime updates for your device:
| Hardware | specifications | . | . |
|---|---|---|---|
| CPU | NXP® i.MX 8M Quad core Cortex A53, 64bit ARM  @max 1.5GHz (auxiliary Cortex M4) | . | . |
| GPU | Vivante GC7000Lite | . | . |
| RAM | 3 GB | . | . |
| Storage | 32 GB eMMC internal storage | . | . |
| External Storage | microSD (2TB max) | . | . |
| Screen | 5.7″ IPS TFT 720×1440 | . | . |
| Baseband | Option 1 Broadmobi BM818 | Option 2 Gemalto PLS8 | SIM Size nanoSIM |
| WLAN | Redpine Signals RS9116: 802.11 abgn 2.4GHz/5GHz | . | . |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 4 | . | . |
| GPS | TESEO LIV3 multiconstellation GNSS receiver | . | . |
| NFC | No | . | . |
| DAC | Wolfson Media WM8962 | . | . |
| 3.5mm Jack | Yes (stereo out and mono microphone in) | . | . |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | . | . |
| FM Radio | No | . | . |
| Battery | 4,500mAh, user-replaceable | . | . |
| USB | USB C: USB 3.0 data, PowerDelivery (Dual-Role Port), video out (DisplayPort) | . | . |
| Buttons | Power, volume ± buttons | . | . |
| Kill Switches | 3 – WiFi, Cellular, Microphone/Cameras (all 3 will turn off GPS) | . | . |
| Accelerometer | “9-axis” by ST, LSM9DS1 (gyro, accel, magnetometer) | . | . |
| Ambient light and Proximity Sensor | Yes (VCNL4040) | . | . |
| Back Camera | 13 Mpx with flash LED | . | . |
| Front Camera | 8 Mpx | . | . |
| Notification LED | Yes (RGB LED with PWM control per color) | . | . |
| Smartcard Reader | 3FF format smart cards (microSIM card size) | . | . |
| Haptic Motor | Yes | . | . |
If it all is still to expensive for you, try with the cheapest option: Pinephone. It’s a ‘barebone’ $149.99 or $199.99 phone option supported by all major Linux phone projects. Battery is nothing to write home about… I meant to send an SMS home about, but if we presume you won’t be gaming and watching movies on the privacy dedicated phone, then it is usable. If you want a serious comparison with Librem and iPhone, try here:
PS Speaking of alternatives, we have to mention again more alternatives alongside other Google Alternatives: The best Google Chrome alternative is TOR (The Onion Router) Browser and one more solution to detach yourself from omnipresent Google search would be an excellent Startpage.com search alternative.
: 1GZQG69sEKiMXKgGw9TcGcUCBoC4sC1ZYp
