These devices are double-edged swords, increasing convenience at the expense of privacy. Smartphones are the new police snitches, Vic Ryckaert
Smartphones are highly privacy-invasive. Google, Microsoft, and Apple monitor and record a lot of what you do on your smartphone. Besides, manufactures and software developers will add their own dangerous and privacy-invasive software into the mix. Smartphones are equipped with a suite of sensors and many apps are abusing those sensors, too.
There is always a but in this imperfect world and the truth is always grey.
However, take into consideration that privacy-focused smartphones are typically less intuitive and user-friendly, and more pricey. Besides, you will lose some of the features and functionality that you may be used to.
If something is free or cheaper than the market price, you (your confidential and sensible data) are the product.
Some privacy-focused smartphones are:
- Librem5 is designed with security in mind and has privacy protection by default. It is built on PureOS, a fully free, ethical, and open-source operating system that is not based on Android or iOS.
- Some Android phones are more vulnerable than others because some manufactures do not provide regular updates or patches for their phones or do no release them until long after Google has provide them. On the contrary, Google Pixel has promised five years of security updates. Besides, their bugs and vulnerabilities are patched very quickly.
- Right out of the box, the Blackphone PRIVI provides one of the most secure and private experience. It runs on a heavily modified version of Android and all the bugs related to security issues are quickly fixed.
- Murena One is a new privacy-centric smartphone. It runs /e/OS, it has a 6.5 inches display, and can run most Android apps.
Ways to secure your mobile phones
- Do not root your Android, avoid jailbreaking your iPhone, keep you operating system always up to date.
- Unless you know exactly what you are doing, do not enable unknown sources and avoid installing apps from sources other than the Google Play Store.
- Use password managers and 2-factor authentication.
- Use FOSS apps as privacy-respecting alternatives to proprietary apps.
- Avoid the big offenders, the most privacy-invasive apps, such as social media (Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter), food delivery apps (UberEats, Grubhub), and online shopping apps (eBay, Wish).
- Practice safe downloading and web browsing habits. View any communications from unknown sources with a careful eye. Do not click on links to websites that are sent to you via instant messaging, sms, or by email unless you are completely certain of their truthfulness.
- Back up your phone, e.g., use Google’s cloud service to back up your Android’s smartphone: Settings, Google, Backup.
- Avoid using public WiFi. Be wary of unsecured networks.
- Use a VPN.
- Activate the Find my iPhone/Find My Device feature. Android: Settings, (Password and) Security or Google, Security, Find My Device and use the toggle to turn it on (Location should be enabled).
- You need to always keep your phone screen locked. Set up a strong password, pattern, fingerprint or face recognition. Lock it when idle for one minute or less.
- Use anti-malware for your phone.
- Encrypt your phone.
- Embrace a less is more philosophy! Remove apps that you no longer use, and clear out some old pictures and videos because they can slow down your smartphone, take up precious battery resources, and every app is both a possible failing point and a privacy concern. Remove Ads. Security & Privacy
