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Maybe the main lock-in is in drivers for proprietary hardware. Platform software like bare bones Linux / Android and Firefox is probably not the root of the lock-in.

If so, maybe it's better to think of two devices: trusted device, and fancy device.

The trusted device is a simple, low power and cheap device, maybe without even a camera. Just touchscreen, wi-fi and mobile internet. Fully open drivers, and hardware spec. Running bare bones Linux / Android, Firefox. Easy to root and reinstall the full software stack. There can be an open specification for at, as a "basic comp / comm device": 1 GB memory, CPU of certain performance, etc.

The fancy device is a cutting edge proprietary flagman device. Great power, but risk of tracking.

Every user can have both types of devices.




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