On: Google’s new Chat service shows contempt for Android users’ privacy

[scarface74]

What realistic choices do people have? I use iOS, but given the choice between a decent Android phone like the Moto E that you can get for less than $150 and a $650+ iPhone, I wouldn't advise most people to get an iPhone.

[peatmoss → scarface74]

I prefer the Android experience, but switched back to iOS / iPhone a couple years back precisely because I did ask myself how much Apple’s better-but-not-robustly-verifiable privacy posture was. I decided that, over the life of a phone, that was worth at least $500 and the associated lesser UX.

I don’t know that a smartphone has to cost $650, but I don’t think most US corporations will sign up to deliver a $150 smartphone that doesn’t mine your privacy.

[crystaln → peatmoss]

Same. I really want to switch to Android for various reasons but can't bring myself to give up Apple's core respect for privacy.

[kevin_thibedeau → crystaln]

LineageOS + MicroG is all you need to cut out Google and get enhanced, per-app privacy controls.

[crystaln → kevin_thibedeau]

Sure. I'm not interested in spending my time hacking my phone tho, and I want to use Google services. I want privacy by default.

Also I'm less concerned about Google having my data than my messages being sent plaintext through carriers.

[grey_earthling → scarface74]

> What realistic choices do people have?

That's the problem. A market without competition is a cabal.