Came across /e/OS today -- a fully deGoogled, open-source fork of Android.

It strips out all Google services and replaces them with privacy-respecting alternatives. Custom DNS, custom NTP servers, microG instead of Google Play Services, BeaconDB for geolocation. It also shows you exactly which trackers are embedded in every app you install, and lets you mask your IP and location on demand.

Still on iPhone myself, so not switching anytime soon. But the philosophy is interesting.

When your phone is running open-source software, the privacy claims are auditable -- not just marketing. Researchers at the University of Edinburgh and Trinity College Dublin have actually looked at this. That is not nothing.

If you are on Android and want off the Google surveillance train, this looks like one of the more serious options out there.

https://e.foundation/e-os/

#privacy #degoogle #android #foss #opensource

Leak confirms #GrapheneOS & #Motorola partnership for non-#Pixel hardware

https://piunikaweb.com/2026/02/27/leak-confirms-grapheneos-motorola-partnership-for-non-pixel-hardware/

#Android #privacy #cybersecurity #FOSS

#Android17 Beta Introduces the Contact Picker and the Local Network Permission

https://www.privacyguides.org/news/2026/02/28/android-17-beta-introduces-the-contact-picker-and-the-local-network-permission/

#Android #Google #privacy

#Smartphone ohne #USA: Wie realistisch digitale Unabhängigkeit ist

#Android kommt von #Google, #iOS von #Apple – viele zentrale Smartphone-Dienste stammen aus den USA.

Doch was, wenn man das ändern möchte? Gibt es Smartphones und Tablets, die ohne US-Software funktionieren? Grundsätzlich ja – man muss aber mit einigen Einschränkungen und Unbequemlichkeiten rechnen…..

https://help.orf.at/stories/3234210

To distribute an Android app outside Google Play, starting September 2026, developers will need to register with Google, submit government ID, and pay a $25 fee. Even if they're using F-Droid or the Amazon Appstore, stores Google doesn't own or operate. Privacy groups are pushing back.

https://reclaimthenet.org/open-letter-google-android-developer-verification-policy-criticism-2026

#Google #Android #enshittification #dystopia #software #monopoly #technology #idverification #privacy

New: #NitroPhone 10 Models

https://www.nitrokey.com/news/2026/new-nitrophone-10-models

#Android #GrapheneOS #privacy #cybersecurity #Nitrokey

"ESET researchers uncovered the first known case of Android malware abusing generative AI for context-aware user interface manipulation. While machine learning has been used to similar ends already – just recently, researchers at Dr.WEB found Android.Phantom, which uses TensorFlow machine learning models to analyze advertisement screenshots and automatically click on detected elements for large scale ad fraud – this is the first time we have seen generative AI deployed in this manner. Because the attackers rely on prompting an AI model (in this instance, Google’s Gemini) to guide malicious UI manipulation, we have named this family PromptSpy. This is the second AI powered malware we have discovered – following PromptLock in August 2025, the first known case of AI-driven ransomware.

While generative AI is deployed only in a relatively minor part of PromptSpy's code – that responsible for achieving persistence – it still has a significant impact on the malware's adaptability. Specifically, Gemini is used to analyze the current screen and provide PromptSpy with step-by-step instructions on how to ensure the malicious app remains pinned in the recent apps list, thus preventing it from being easily swiped away or killed by the system. The AI model and prompt are predefined in the code and cannot be changed. Since Android malware often relies on UI navigation, leveraging generative AI enables the threat actors to adapt to more or less any device, layout, or OS version, which can greatly expand the pool of potential victims.

The main purpose of PromptSpy is to deploy a built-in VNC module, giving operators remote access to the victim’s device. This Android malware also abuses the Accessibility Service to block uninstallation with invisible overlays, captures lockscreen data, records video. It communicates with its C&C server via the VNC protocol, using AES encryption."

https://www.welivesecurity.com/en/eset-research/promptspy-ushers-in-era-android-threats-using-genai/

#CyberSecurity #PromptSpy #AI #GenerativeAI #Android #Malware

🚨Google wants to kill Android freedom

We've signed an Open Letter to urge #Google to keep #Android #free & #open!

Otherwise Google’s Android is becoming Apple: Your device, their rules.

Here's more info: 👉 https://tuta.com/blog/google-wants-to-kill-android-freedom

Read the full open letter here: 👉 https://keepandroidopen.org/open-letter/

Alt...

Google product logos and a text saying "Download us" with a cartoon of a man holding a knife up to another man who is trying to protect himself and saying "But I want to use secure, open source apps instead"

#KeepAndroidOpen: #AdGuard urges #Google to rethink policy that could restrict independent #Android app distribution

https://adguard.com/en/blog/google-android-app-verification-requirement-petition.html

#sideloading #privacy #cybersecurity

OK so apparently #Firefox 147 is the last one I'll have and use. I guess #WaterFox and #PaleMoon will be my next contenders as primary browsers. Any recommendations on what to use on #Android instead? I'm currently using #Fennec which is the Firefox port on #FDroid.

@fdroidorg @marcprux At this point it would be crazy to develop any Free/Libre application for Android. Don't care what Google says tomorrow, we can NOT trust Big Tech. We need to be in control of our computing resources, both at software and hardware level.
PS: @EUCommission please take note.
#Google #Android #Freedom #GNU

#Google Wants to Control Your Device

https://blog.jmp.chat/b/2026-google-wants-to-control-your-device

#Sideloading #FOSS #Android

An Open Letter Opposing #Android Developer Verification

https://f-droid.org/en/2026/02/24/open-letter-opposing-developer-verification.html

#FOSS #FDroid #sideloading

Noticed today that call recording was enabled on my Pixel 8. A feature that I used to have years ago on Android 6/7 or so with ACR Pro, but that Google in their great wisdom then took away. Now they've seen it fit to finally give this feature back as a 1st party one. Last checked the previous autumn and it wasn't there yet.

Of course, just expecting them to take it away again at any moment.

(You may suggest GrapheneOS / rooting / Sailfish / etc. as a reply, but it will be ignored.)

#Android

Not sure where #Google asked for feedback about their developer verification program, but they surely didn't talk with #FLOSS devs, civil society, privacy organisations or their #Android users

#FDroid did since September, and interacted with folks in the Fediverse, forum, email and in person

They all voiced one opinion: "developer verification must be stopped"

@marcprux has written an open letter, signed by likeminded organisations who want to #keepandroidopen

Click: https://f-droid.org/2026/02/24/open-letter-opposing-developer-verification.html

GrapheneOS can help you retake your privacy, right now. https://tinkerbetter.tube/w/wPTCS3fiMqDFiLmbWGn9VK

Video by @veronicaexplains #privacy #android #graphenOS

#Android #MentalHealth apps with 14.7M installs filled with security flaws

https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/android-mental-health-apps-with-147m-installs-filled-with-security-flaws/

#cybersecurity #privacy #healthcare

Google announced that as of September 2026, it will no longer be possible to develop apps for the Android platform without first registering centrally with Google. This registration will involve:

- Paying a fee to Google
- Agreeing to Google’s Terms and Conditions
- Providing government identification
- Uploading evidence of the developer’s private signing key
- Listing all current and future application identifiers

https://keepandroidopen.org/

#android #opensource #keepandroidopen

#PromptSpy is the first known #Android #malware to use generative #AI at runtime

https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/promptspy-is-the-first-known-android-malware-to-use-generative-ai-at-runtime/

#cybersecurity

Keep Android Open

Im August 2025 hat Google angekündigt, dass es ab September 2026 nicht mehr möglich sein wird, Anwendungen für die Android-Plattform zu entwickeln, ohne sich zuvor bei Google registriert zu haben.
— @fdroidorg

📱 https://keepandroidopen.org/de/

#android #google #opensource #handy #mobile #smartphone #fdroid #freiheit #freesoftware #keepandroidopen

#Google blocked over 1.75 million #PlayStore app submissions in 2025

https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/google-blocked-over-175-million-play-store-app-submissions-in-2025/

#cybersecurity #Android

New '#Massiv' #Android #banking #malware poses as an #IPTV app

https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/new-massiv-android-banking-malware-poses-as-an-iptv-app/

#cybersecurity

New #Keenadu #backdoor found in #Android #firmware, #GooglePlay apps

https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/new-keenadu-backdoor-found-in-android-firmware-google-play-apps/

#cybersecurity #Google

The #FDroid website has a new banner on top to remind visitors that #Google did not change course and #Android will be locked-down in under 200 days.

If you care about the freedom to control your devices and care about the privacy of you data, please contact your representative and make your voice heard.

https://keepandroidopen.org/ (thanks @marcprux) has the resources to guide you.

We know users will rarely visit the site so the Client(s) will get a banner soon too.

Thank you for your support!

https://www.theverge.com/gadgets/879652/samsung-galaxy-s26-privacy-display-ad-flex-magic-pixel

Samsung is introducing a Privacy mode that can selectively apply to only certain areas of the screen (like notifications). When viewing the phone from an angle instead, these zones (or the whole screen) would appear black. Video past the link.

#privacy #Samsung #Android

#Google releases the first beta of #Android17, adopts a continuous developer release plan

https://techcrunch.com/2026/02/11/google-releases-the-first-beta-of-android-17-adopts-a-continous-developer-release-plan/

#Android