Google removed device trees from Android 16, making it harder for GrapheneOS and others to build private, de-Googled phones. These trees were crucial for adapting Android to real devices—now developers must reverse engineer it all.
GrapheneOS is biting the bullet to make this happen despite this challenge. I donated $5,000 to support their work and encourage you to do the same: grapheneos.org/donate
There are few ways to use a phone privately today—and Google is making it harder. The future of private Android depends on supporting open-source alternatives.
Google removed device trees from Android 16, making it harder for GrapheneOS and others to build private, de-Googled phones. These trees were crucial for adapting Android to real devices—now developers must reverse engineer it all.
GrapheneOS is biting the bullet to make this happen despite this challenge. I donated $5,000 to support their work and encourage you to do the same: grapheneos.org/donate
There are few ways to use a phone privately today—and Google is making it harder. The future of private Android depends on supporting open-source alternatives.
He adds: "Telegram has become my primary news source." If you initiate a Secret Chat, however, then these communications are end-to-end encrypted and are tied to the device you are using. That means it’s less convenient to access them across multiple platforms, but you are at far less risk of snooping. Back in the day, Secret Chats received some praise from the EFF, but the fact that its standard system isn’t as secure earned it some criticism. If you’re looking for something that is considered more reliable by privacy advocates, then Signal is the EFF’s preferred platform, although that too is not without some caveats. The original Telegram channel has expanded into a web of accounts for different locations, including specific pages made for individual Russian cities. There's also an English-language website, which states it is owned by the people who run the Telegram channels. The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) had carried out a similar exercise in 2017 in a matter related to circulation of messages through WhatsApp. Oleksandra Matviichuk, a Kyiv-based lawyer and head of the Center for Civil Liberties, called Durov’s position "very weak," and urged concrete improvements.
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