TBH, buying a cheap Chinese burner phone with no security relevant data on it just for traveling to the US, might be better security wise than buying an expensive Google Pixel Phone with GrapheneOS on it.
Especially now where Google, a US company and bound by its laws, that produces these devices, might (start) hand(ing) out backdoor keys to their hardware.
But with Graphene&Co you can make full backups, store them externally (e.g. selfhosted cloud) and then just apply before/after crossing borders as needed. Plus doing that makes a duress wipe way less painful if you ever need to. Tho, if you’re somewhere where they’re likely to just keep it instead of forcing an unlock or copying data, a cheap burner that doesn’t hurt to loose is still the better idea…
That is a good option. I am actually quite careful about what I use my phone for. I still on occasion use Google maps, but i turn location history off and I always delete previous searches.
I am aware that this does not remove them from google’s database, but it does make your movements not immediately obvious.
Also i would delete browser history and log out of all social media accounts (and disable remembering usernames/passwords) and even uninstall some apps in order to make who you interact eith less immediately obvious. Once you clear the border fully you can reinstall everything at your earliest convenience.
I also have osmand. At any rate I wish I could uninstall Google entirely off my computer. My dad was the one who made my gmail account back in 2005 (when it was invited only, if you can believe/remember that), and I have been using it for all my governmental and important stuff since. I have plenty of other emails, but most of them are for inconsequential stuff.
I got a secret for you. Grapheneos has a duress password feature, if you type it in, it completely wipes the phone. Give them that password and act surprised when the phone shits itself
That reminds me. I’m always bad at handling my stuff, and my stuff always break. Like imagine I just go cross a border one day and they demanded to see my phone, BUT my phone legit just stops working because I spilled coffee on it this morning and it decides to stop working RIGHT NOW, not earlier or later, but just as when I take out the phone, attempt to type in the real password, boom, screen goes black because it actually got liquid damage…
*Proton had a controversy involving the CEO claiming “Republicans are the party that ‘fight for the little guy’” so… do your own research. But they are also the best when it comes to amount of servers, so its less likely to get blocked by websites.
Thats why you should use a Google Pixel with GraphineOS and a unique 20+ digit password (along with a secure VPN like Mullvad)
No avg person is doing this. Get a second phone with alias accounts.
I use GraphineOS and tbh its not inconvenient to use
Convincing someone to completely change their operating system isn’t easy from the start.
If you’re genuenly worried about your security it makes sense, the average person however doesn’t care so they wont do anything to increase security
TBH, buying a cheap Chinese burner phone with no security relevant data on it just for traveling to the US, might be better security wise than buying an expensive Google Pixel Phone with GrapheneOS on it.
Especially now where Google, a US company and bound by its laws, that produces these devices, might (start) hand(ing) out backdoor keys to their hardware.
But with Graphene&Co you can make full backups, store them externally (e.g. selfhosted cloud) and then just apply before/after crossing borders as needed. Plus doing that makes a duress wipe way less painful if you ever need to. Tho, if you’re somewhere where they’re likely to just keep it instead of forcing an unlock or copying data, a cheap burner that doesn’t hurt to loose is still the better idea…
Graphene is like 5% more difficult to use than any other phone. Getting a second phone is way more inconvenient.
Lol ok. Cause nothing like installing and learning a new OS right before traveling.
That is a good option. I am actually quite careful about what I use my phone for. I still on occasion use Google maps, but i turn location history off and I always delete previous searches.
I am aware that this does not remove them from google’s database, but it does make your movements not immediately obvious.
Also i would delete browser history and log out of all social media accounts (and disable remembering usernames/passwords) and even uninstall some apps in order to make who you interact eith less immediately obvious. Once you clear the border fully you can reinstall everything at your earliest convenience.
Turning location history off does nothing for your privacy. It just makes it so you can’t see the data they’re recording.
You may want to try Organic Maps. It can probably help in 80% of situations where you use Google Maps.
I also have osmand. At any rate I wish I could uninstall Google entirely off my computer. My dad was the one who made my gmail account back in 2005 (when it was invited only, if you can believe/remember that), and I have been using it for all my governmental and important stuff since. I have plenty of other emails, but most of them are for inconsequential stuff.
I have been using Organic Maps and I have no complain.
They would just deny entry if you refuse to unlock.
I got a secret for you. Grapheneos has a duress password feature, if you type it in, it completely wipes the phone. Give them that password and act surprised when the phone shits itself
That will accomplish you preventing them from seeing the contents of your phone. It will also accomplish you not getting past the border. At best.
That reminds me. I’m always bad at handling my stuff, and my stuff always break. Like imagine I just go cross a border one day and they demanded to see my phone, BUT my phone legit just stops working because I spilled coffee on it this morning and it decides to stop working RIGHT NOW, not earlier or later, but just as when I take out the phone, attempt to type in the real password, boom, screen goes black because it actually got liquid damage…
Like… that would be so… awkward…
I’m gonna look like a criminal lol
Would Private Internet Access work? That is my VPN.
They have mossad ties. Their CEO or something is a former spy. It’s owned by Israel.
https://hackread.com/private-internet-access-pia-vpn-sold-israel-privacy-concerns/
NOW YOU TELL ME! I have a three year plan with them!
💀
VPNs you should look into:
Proton*
Mullvad
IVPN
*Proton had a controversy involving the CEO claiming “Republicans are the party that ‘fight for the little guy’” so… do your own research. But they are also the best when it comes to amount of servers, so its less likely to get blocked by websites.
I have the free proton on my phone. I can use it there at least
In the same boat. I’m going to have to drop em and switch to mullvad.
If they know your name and address its not secure