California moves to exempt Linux from its upcoming age-verification law after backlash over forcing operating systems to collect users’ ages — amendment proposed by the same lawmaker who wrote the original law

https://www.tomshardware.com/software/linux/california-moves-to-exempt-linux-from-its-upcoming-age-verification-law-after-backlash-over-forcing-operating-systems-to-collect-users-ages-amendment-proposed-by-the-same-lawmaker-who-wrote-the-original-law

#AgeVerification #IDverification #dystopia #surveillance #privacy #Linux #opensource #technology

"Police in China Sure Love Smart Glasses"

"Custom, government-made smart glasses are finding their way onto the faces of policemen in China, and it sounds like one big privacy violation."

https://gizmodo.com/police-in-china-sure-love-smart-glasses-2000763598

#Privacy

I just emailed a strongly worded letter
to my government representative to oppose Bill C-22.

If you are Canadian, you should too: https://action.openmedia.org/page/188754/action/1

#BillC22 #Privacy #HumanRights #Canada #CanPoli #CndPoli

The FTC says Cox Media and two marketing firms falsely claimed they could listen to people through phones and smart devices to target ads. The companies agreed to pay $930,000 to settle the allegations.

https://www.theverge.com/policy/937027/cox-media-marketing-ai-powered-phone-spying-ads-ftc-fine

#privacy #surveillance #adtech
1/3

Online age checks create a pointless #privacy risk

New #cybersecurity research indicates that one of the world's leading age verification providers collects and shares highly sensitive personal data—including facial photos and device fingerprints—with third parties. The research also reveals that most websites that require age verification don't enforce the policy.
#ageverification #biometrics

https://techxplore.com/news/2026-05-online-age-pointless-privacy.html

DuckDuckGo US installs jumped 30.5% peaking on May 26. The privacy search engine is absorbing users fleeing Google's mandatory Gemini AI search overhauls. #Tech #Google #DuckDuckGo #Privacy
https://blazetrends.com/duckduckgo-installs-jump-30-as-users-flee-googles-new-mandatory-ai-search/?fsp_sid=19976

Pffft. I see our beloved Government is learning from the Tech Bros about consent.

Yes, yes, yes, yes, no (but it actually means yes once you've read it).

Have your say (as far as you can) here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/growing-up-in-the-online-world-a-national-consultation

Last day today.

#onlineSafety #privacy #ageVerification #bigTech #digitalID #UKPolitics #UKPol

Alt...

Screenshot from a government consultation. It asks: Would you support it being a legal requirement for social media platforms to have a minimum age lower than 16? If so, what age should it be? Possible answers are: Yes - 12 years old and younger Yes - 13 years old Yes - 14 years old Yes - 15 years old No - it should be 16 years old Don't know Prefer not to say

🕶️ "It doesn't matter if you're using all these cool tools... if you're just posting everything about yourself online." — Daniel of #PirateChain

#Privacy is more than a coin — it’s a mindset.

Watch the full privacy panel from #MoneroTopia26 with #Monero, #Quai, #Zano, #Dash, and #PirateChain 👇

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R73hNV_DgzQ&list=PLfJ_JjSwYaa-dPiWAEraDH-wERjBi_BuI&index=2&t=34560s

#Surveillance #Palantir #Privacy #Anonymity #Freedom "Saying you don't care about privacy because you have nothing to hide is no different from saying you don't care about free speech because you have nothing to say." - Edward Snowden

German outlets are reporting about a study done by lobbyists that (miraculously) found that businesses are unhappy with the GDPR.

Obviously, this still hasn't been said enough: the GDPR's purpose isn't making businesses happy! Its purpose is to protect our rights. It's necessary because far too many businesses won't respect our privacy unless they're forced to!

If running their business responsibly is such a huge burden for them, maybe they should let someone else do it.
--
#privacy #GDPR

We've released Midori Android 11.8.3 with multiple improvements, including privacy and security enhancements, and we've also updated to Mozac 151.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.midorinext.android

#android #browser #opensource #privacy #web

Alt...

Midori Android 11.8.3

🧐 Headlines in #privacy from @thenewoil

“‘Creepy’ Listening Tool for Targeted Ads Didn’t Actually Work, # FTC Says https://www. wired.com/story/creepy-listeni ng-tool-for-targeted-ads-didnt-actually-work-ftc-says/ # privacy # ActiveListening #...”

https://mastodon.thenewoil.org/@thenewoil/116619293817079864

🤖 via RSS feed. Not an endorsement.

#California Moves To Exempt #Linux From Upcoming Age-Verification Law
#ageverification #privacy

https://linux.slashdot.org/story/26/05/26/0450245/california-moves-to-exempt-linux-from-upcoming-age-verification-law?utm_source=rss1.0mainlinkanon&utm_medium=feed

Roanoke, VA increasing surveillance with government funding.

While Roanoke has a multimillion dollar deficit and our education system and teachers suffer, affecting our children. The Real Cost and Funding SourcesThe "Everywhere" Cameras: Roanoke currently operates 24 Flock Safety automated license plate readers (LPRs). These are often funded through specialized state initiatives like Virginia’s HEAT (Help Eliminate Auto Theft) program or specific law enforcement equipment grants (such as the federal Byrne Justice Assistance Grant, which allocated roughly $74,000 to Roanoke for equipment and LPRs in recent funding cycles). The New 75 Audio Devices: The sudden uptick in debate you are hearing about right now involves a plan to add 75 Flock "Raven" audio devices to detect gunshots. This pilot program is being funded entirely by a federal Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant totaling $57,040.

#privacy #surveillance

https://wfirnews.com/news/roanoke-mayor-speaks-on-privacy-concerns-over-new-surveillance-tools

College Student hacks Taiwan High-Speed Rail Line with Software defined Radios, stopping four Trains.

[19 years without crypto key rotation ends in predictable result as hacker sails through 7 layers of protection.]

Techies and trains have always had a fairly close relationship, but some people seem to take that relationship to toxic levels. About a month ago, a 23-year-old Taiwanese student "hacked" the country's high-speed rail line using an SDR [Software-Defined Radio] filter and radios, remotely broadcasting a General Alarm sign and triggering a manual emergency braking procedure.

⁉️The event brought four trains to a standstill for 48 minutes until the situation was verified as a false alarm, with reportedly no hard stops executed. Lin, the mind behind the operation, sailed through "seven verification layers" thanks to the fact that the TETRA [Terrestrial Trunked Radio] system in use hadn't had its cryptographic keys rotated in 19 years.⁉️

https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2026/05/05/2003856781

#it #security #privacy #engineer #media #tech #news

Alt...

Democratic Progressive Party Legislator Ho Shin-chun clearly stated, "If a college student could hack into a system as sophisticated as that of the high-speed rail system, what would happen if the same thing happened with the Taiwan Railway Corp’s system?" 👾As for Lin, he's using the Looney Tunes defense that it was an accidental press of a button on the radio he had in his pocket. It would have been easy for him to conduct himself better and take the ethical route by disclosing the vulnerability to the relevant authorities, as Taiwan appears to have a highly progressive attitude towards civil hacking in all forms.👾 <https://www.rtl-sdr.com/student-arrested-in-taiwan-for-using-sdr-and-handheld-radios-to-halt-four-high-speed-trains-with-tetra-hack/> ⁉️This is exemplified by the g0v initiative, which calls for open and transparent operations from regular citizens, an ethos that has official government support and was most useful during the COVID-19 pandemic. There's a yearly Presidential Hackathon, too, and Taiwan's National Institute of Cyber Security recently awarded $17,000 for 20 reported vulnerabilities across a range of products.⁉️ <https://focustaiwan.tw/politics/202512140012> <https://www.rti.org.tw/en/news?uid=3&pid=205156>

Alt...

[ImageSource: Getty Images] The extracurricular activity was quickly traced back to Lin, who seemingly answered the radio in an awkward manner and hung up. This prompted the train network to immediately review all beacons in use, followed by its CCTV footage. Working with the police, they followed the trail to Lin's home in Taichung. There, they found a laptop alongside several radios. Lin is now out on $3,200 bail while waiting for a trial and a judgment that could have him behind bars for 10 years. 👾Despite Lin's apparent lack of forethought, the "hack" didn't take much effort, as any radio system that goes 19 years without key rotation easily falls to a low-grade cloning attack. RTL-SDR speculates that the system in question used now-broken TEA1 encryption. However, we believe that since key rotation in TETRA needs to be configured and scheduled at installation, the likely answer is that it just wasn't implemented.👾 <https://www.rtl-sdr.com/student-arrested-in-taiwan-for-using-sdr-and-handheld-radios-to-halt-four-high-speed-trains-with-tetra-hack/> ⁉️Lin reportedly also had information on how to access the comms of the New Taipei Fire City Department and the Taoyuan International Airport MRT Line. The incident triggered a round of political ping-pong to assess responsibilities for the weak security and a formal review of all aforementioned radio systems.⁉️

You know something goes too far when Google, and Meta speak out against it.

Finally, a glimmer of hope: California's age-verification law may exempt open-source Linux, sparing users from invasive ID checks that shatter anonymity. But with platforms like SteamOS still exposed, this battle reminds us that true privacy isn't granted by legislation—it's built into the code we control ourselves.

https://itsfoss.com/news/age-verification-open-source-exemptions/

#linux #age_verification #foss #privacy

US scrambles to stop Internet users re-creating dead pilots’ voices

https://arstechnica.com/ai/2026/05/ai-users-re-create-dead-pilots-voices-from-crash-investigation-docs/

#AI #NTSB #privacy #deepfake

Colorado exempted open-source operating systems from 2028 OS-level age-verification rules, shielding Linux installs from mandatory checks. 🔓
California may add similar language before rollout, while Linux OEMs warn account-age mandates could pressure smaller vendors and user privacy. 🐧

🔗 https://fossforce.com/2026/05/the-quiet-clause-that-may-save-linux-from-age-verification-laws/

#TechNews #Linux #OpenSource #Privacy #AgeVerification #System76 #FOSS #GNU #Security #Surveillance #DigitalRights #Cybersecurity #DataPrivacy #Tech #Colorado #California #USA #Freedom

#Texas AG sues #Meta over claims that #WhatsApp doesn’t provide end-to-end #encryption

https://arstechnica.com/security/2026/05/texas-ag-sues-meta-over-claims-that-whatsapp-doesnt-provide-end-to-end-encryption/

#cybersecurity #privacy #E2EE

> *Privacy International provided a submission to inform the report of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights pursuant to Human Rights Council resolution 58/23 on “Human rights defenders and new and emerging technologies: protecting human rights defenders, including women human rights defenders, in the digital age”.*

#un #privacy #humanrights #digitalsovereignty

https://privacyinternational.org/advocacy/5771/privacy-internationals-submission-un-high-commissioner-human-rights-protection-human

#Venmo finally takes #privacy seriously

https://www.theverge.com/tech/927503/venmo-app-redesign-privacy-posts

#PersonalFinance #finance #fintech

92,593 posts

That’s what ICE monitors each second on social media – more than 8 billion posts each day in 100 languages, through a contract with Zignal Labs. Its $28.7 billion surveillance budget also covers license plate readers, cell-site simulators, facial recognition, iris scanners, software to crack smartphones and extract encrypted messages, and data integration with Palantir at $30 million per year. DHS reported 238 “use cases” for AI in 2025, up 20% in a year, including 86 in law enforcement and seven in cybersecurity.

#DHS #ICE #Zignal #privacy #consitution

The consultation that could see digital ID checks sweep across the Internet ends today ⌛️

ORG has submitted a response, outlining the threats to privacy and freedom of expression posed by the government's proposals.

We set out a better way forward that tackles the cause of online harms.

Read more ⬇️

https://www.openrightsgroup.org/publications/growing-up-in-an-online-world-org-consultation-response/

#onlinesafety #consultation #socialmedia #privacy #ageverification #digitalID #freedomofexpression #digitalrights #interoperability #fediverse #ukpolitics #ukpol

Former US execs plead guilty to aiding tech support scammers

https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/former-us-execs-plead-guilty-to-aiding-tech-support-scammers/

#scam #privacy #TechSupportScam #TechSupport #cybercrime

#TrumpMobile confirms it exposed customers’ personal data, including phone numbers and home addresses

https://techcrunch.com/2026/05/22/trump-mobile-confirms-it-exposed-customers-personal-data-including-phone-numbers-and-home-addresses/

#privacy #carrier #phone #Trump

Again, currently testing @Tutanota Drive that is in closed beta. As if I needed another reason to love it, there it is, right on the Drive web page, for everyone to see:

"Because your files, pictures and data deserve privacy.

No ads, no AI, no third party access."

#noai #privacy #encryption #security

Currently testing @Tutanota Drive that is in closed beta. I've literally been using it for 30 minutes and already love it. This is going to get me off of Google Drive. Something I have been struggling to accomplish for a long time.

#privacy #encryption

Consent will no longer be required for using data for AI development and statistical analysis purposes provided that the data does not identify individuals.

Specifically, companies will no longer need consent from individuals to collect public information on social media and other platforms, or to share corporate-held data with other companies.

🔐 WhatsApp non legge i tuoi messaggi? Vero…

La crittografia end-to-end protegge le chat in transito ✅ ma i metadati (chi contatti, quando, da dove) sono in chiaro. E il backup su iCloud/Google Drive? Di default NON è crittografato end-to-end. Va attivato manualmente.

La privacy non è solo il contenuto, è tutto l'ecosistema dati.

📖 jfkmdd.blogspot.com/2026/05/whatsapp-privacy-e-un-dettaglio-spesso.html

#Privacy #WhatsApp #Cybersecurity #EndToEndEncryption #DataProtection

Molly is a hardened open-source fork of Signal for Android built for stronger privacy and security.

It stays compatible with Signal while adding features like passphrase-based encryption, Tor/SOCKS proxy support, UnifiedPush notifications, reproducible builds, and a fully FOSS version on F-Droid.

Especially interesting for GrapheneOS, CalyxOS, and deGoogled Android users.

👉 https://www.digitalescapetools.com/tools/tool.html?id=molly

#OpenSource #Privacy #Signal #Android #GrapheneOS #DigitalMinimalism

Alt...

Screenshot of the Molly hardened Signal fork for Android showing its documentation page, security-focused features, reproducible builds, and compatibility with the Signal network.

Texas sues Meta and WhatsApp, alleging they misled users about end-to-end encryption and retained access to messages & metadata; AG seeks penalties and limits. Meta denies the claims. Read more: https://cyberinsider.com/texas-sues-meta-and-whatsapp-for-allegedly-lying-about-encrypted-messages-privacy/ 🔒⚖️ #Privacy #WhatsApp #Meta

RE: https://social.openrightsgroup.org/@openrightsgroup/116639938022638995

If you're a tech person in the UK have your say on age verification checks. You don't have to do all sections but section 3 has the more interesting questions from a technology perspective including #AI and VPN use. #privacy #ageVerification

If we have this sort of thing more pervasive I'd like the UK government to have an age verification service with open-source tools to integrate with it.

Despite many people's distrust of government it's better that giving ID to multiple random 3rd parties

RE: https://social.openrightsgroup.org/@openrightsgroup/116639938022638995

If you're a tech person in the UK have your say on age verification checks. You don't have to do all sections but section 3 has the more interesting questions from a technology perspective including #AI and VPN use. #privacy #ageVerification

As I've said before if we have this sort of thing more pervasive I'd like the UK government to have an age verification service with open-source tools to integrate with it. Despite many people's distrust of government it's not as bad as random 3rd parties

One thing that shifts when you run AI locally: you stop self-censoring prompts.

When your assistant lives on your own hardware, nothing leaves your network. No API logs, no training data contribution, no wondering who reads the edge cases.

The privacy benefit isn't just theory — it changes how people actually use the tool. #LocalAI #SelfHosted #Privacy #HomeServer #AIagents

It’s easier for Californians to escape data brokers following a Markup investigation

https://themarkup.org/privacy/2026/05/22/its-easier-for-californians-to-escape-data-brokers-following-a-markup-investigation

#California #DataBroker #privacy #TheMarkup #BigTech

We’ve been building something different.

Private communication without tracking, metadata collection, or centralized servers.

Soon, Zerion will introduce fully anonymous channels inside the app. No metadata. No hidden analytics. No servers.

Built by a small independent team focused on real privacy.

Support the project:
https://zerion.chat/donate.html

#privacy #opensource #cybersecurity #foss #encryption

New #Blog Post: Best Private #Email Provider in 2026

https://ghost.thenewoil.org/best-private-email-provider-in-2026/

#privacy #cybersecurity #Proton #Tuta #Mailbox #Posteo #FOSS

Daily Digest | 26 May 2026

Your daily dose of Privacy, Data Protection, AI & Cybersecurity news.

5 stories you should not miss.

Read more: https://www.nicfab.eu/daily-digest/

#Privacy #AI #GDPR #Cybersecurity #TechLaw

@thenewoil this pattern (apps sharing user data without consent) is exactly what pushed two Spanish gay founders to build Zorro - a GBTIQ+ dating app launching June 15 in Madrid. EU-only servers, no data selling, no third-party data sharing. Worth watching: https://waitlist.somoszorro.com/?utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=reply&utm_campaign=waitlist_pre_launch&utm_content=thenewoil #privacy #datingapp

"This is what makes the matter more than an abstract privacy concern: it has direct and measurable economic consequences. If your insurance goes up without you having had any accidents, if your risk profile deteriorates without you knowing why, the explanation may be in the on-board computer of your own car. Surveillance capitalism, which for years has operated primarily in the social media and e-commerce space, has found in the connected car a hugely profitable new territory, because it combines precise location data, physical behavior, everyday habits, and, in many cases, health data derived from biometric sensors. It is a mine of personal information that the user does not see, does not control and rarely perceives.

The European regulatory framework offers, at least in theory, more protections than its US counterpart. The GDPR states that states that location and behavioral data are private and require a legal basis for processing. The European Data Protection Board published detailed guidelines on connected vehicles in 2021 that should serve as a reference for manufacturers operating in Europe, clearly stating that the processing of driving data requires a solid legal basis and that consent obtained through inaccessible general conditions does not meet the standards of the regulation.

The EU’s 2023 Data Act also adds portability rights: the user should be able to access the data generated by their own vehicle and transfer it to third parties of their choice. But there is a considerable gap between the text of the regulations and their effective implementation, and manufacturers have proven to be very creative in designing consent mechanisms that comply with the law to the letter, while emptying it of real content.

Users still have some recourse, but not much. Most connected cars have privacy settings that their owners have never explored — they’re worth looking for and turning on."

https://medium.com/enrique-dans/fast-and-curious-why-the-car-is-no-longer-a-private-space-7d46c4f41d0f

#EVs #Surveillance #Privacy #DataProtection

Digitale Rasterfahndung: Wenn Bilder im Netz Leben zerstören

Die Öffentlichkeitsfahndung wird zunehmend für Bagatellfälle genutzt. Experten warnen vor unverhältnismäßigen Grundrechtseingriffen…..

https://www.heise.de/news/Digitale-Rasterfahndung-Wenn-Bilder-im-Netz-Leben-zerstoeren-11305596.html

#Überwachung #Deutschland #Datenschutz #Gesichtserkennung #Privacy

If you build PH4NTXM, you will notice that the browser missing some "usability" controls, that's actually the trade-off we've done for maximum privacy.

Since we swapped Brave with Firefox-ESR the anti-fingerprinting gain was massive, since it let us literally "touch" its engine.

I'll see and weigh if we can remove something to gain some more usability, and user experience, but won't sacrifice security and privacy for it.

#ph4ntxm #linux #debian #os #live #privacy #security #opsec #infosec #research #tech #technology

Now, we are in a good place, we have a collection of firmware and software so your security literally starts by the time you hit the power button.

PH4NTXM Firmware is based on LinuxBoot/Heads.

One of the most trusted firmware in the world, used for extreme security and integrity.

PH4NTXM Operating System.

It's Live Only, to-RAM, and session oriented, generating and adapting a consistent disposable identity at boot.

PH4NTXM OpSec Suite.

Your diagnostic Operational Security tool collection, that audits and remediates when you feel you need some extra checks, privacy and security.

#ph4ntxm #linux #debian #os #live #privacy #security #opsec #infosec #research #tech #technology

California moves to exempt Linux from its upcoming age-verification law after backlash over forcing operating systems to collect users’ ages — amendment proposed by the same lawmaker who wrote the original law

#Linux #AgeVerification
#Privacy

https://www.tomshardware.com/software/linux/california-moves-to-exempt-linux-from-its-upcoming-age-verification-law-after-backlash-over-forcing-operating-systems-to-collect-users-ages-amendment-proposed-by-the-same-lawmaker-who-wrote-the-original-law

I hope not very many of you are wondering WTF awkward interactions have to do with privacy, but hopefully the following examples make it clear.

Story 1

So, I go to sign up for a bank account at <insert big-ass household-name (in the U.S.) bank name here>. As soon as I walk in the door and tell the person I want to sign up for a checking account, they say “ok, let’s get you set up with the app.”

Now, I was running Lineage at the time with no Google apps. Just F-Droid and stuff I could install from there. I had yet to install any proprietary apps on my phone. (Not necessarily saying there was nothing proprietary running on my phone. I’d be surprised if Lineage doesn’t depend on some binary blob drivers and such for my particular phone. But still, my rule was “no proprietary apps.” And even if I decided to break that rule at the time, I kindof doubt the bank’s app wouldn’t just refuse to work without Google Play Services.)

My mistake was to say “it won’t work on my phone” rather than “I’m not interested in the app; can I still get a bank account here?” They pushed it hard. “It’s Android, right?” “…Technically, but not the way you’re-” “Ok, go to the Play Store.” “I don’t have the Play Store.” “Let me see your home screen.” (My second mistake was not ending that line of conversation there with a “no, just give me a bank account.”)

Before it was all said and done, I’d scanned their QR code and hit the “install” button so I could show them the error message that resulted. It wasn’t until then that they dropped it.

I honestly wonder if they didn’t get a commission when folks installed the app.

Lesson learned. Don’t say “my phone’s weird and it won’t work.” Say “I’m not installing the app. The only question that remains is whether that means I’m taking my business elsewhere or not.”

Story 2

Much more recent. Same phone, but by that point I’d switched to Ubuntu Touch. My phone just stops working as a phone abruptly. No calls or texts.

(The astute among you may already be thinking “oh, probably the carrier dropped 2G/3G support and now requires VoLTE.” And if you’re thinking that, congratulations you get 100 internet points, but don’t spoil it for the rest of the class.)

Now, I’ve always been really nervous about cell phones. About the time they started being ubiquitous (back in the days of Nokia candy-bar phones with black-and-white LCD displays), I had just quit Windows for OpenSuSE, and then not long after that, Gentoo. And when cell phones started becoming smart phones, stuck with the dumbest phones I could find in the used-phone bin at the phone repair place in the mall. In other words, I was (and largely still am) Amish for QWERTY.

So, I honestly don’t know shit about cellular communication technologies because I’ve never really used them. I’ve literally never had a data plan. I’m still grandfathered in on a no-data prepaid plan with my carrier that isn’t available any more.

Anyway, back to my current story where my phone wasn’t working. I had gotten a message a while previous that my SIM card (a physical SIM) would stop working at some point and I had to get a new SIM card. And my SIM card was super old. It was one I’d had to cut down to size and everything. I hadn’t followed through on the SIM card replacement, so I figured that was the issue.

I don’t have an online/web account with my carrier. And I still have never installed any proprietary apps on any phone, so I didn’t have my carrier’s official app. The chat and phone support wouldn’t help me because they couldn’t get proof that I was me. (They required text-message-code authentication, but my phone didn’t work, so I couldn’t receive the text.) They referred me to the T-Mobile store to get a new SIM card that would ostensibly work.

So, I suppressed my gag reflex and walked into the T-Mobile store. At the door, they asked me some basic questions and entered me into the queue. They told me it’d be 15 to 20 minutes of wait time.

I went and had a seat to wait. Well over an hour later, I finally asked someone for an updated wait time estimate. I’d apparently slipped through the cracks because as a prepaid customer, I appear on a different wait queue in their software than other customers. But at least prompting them got me attended to.

I told them the whole situation. I was glad they didn’t try to push me to get a new phone and plan. And they did give me a new SIM card. But when they found out I was running Ubuntu Touch, they referred to it as a “bootleg rom”, intimated that I might be doing something shady (because custom roms can supposedly “break the rules” and… I dunno get calls for free or some shit, I don’t know), and warned me strongly to be very careful with what data I store on the phone. (As if a stock-firmware phone is completely trustworthy. Heh.)

Not only that, but the new SIM card didn’t resolve the issue. Reverting to the stock firmware did. VoLTE is the only thing Ubuntu Touch doesn’t support on that phone. So now I either stick on the stock firmware until that red x turns into a green checkmark or try to figure out if Lineage supports VoLTE on the Pixel 3a as a stop gap until I can go back to Ubuntu Touch.

Anyway, those are my stories. I’d love to hear more such painful interactions with “normies” who don’t understand why you wouldn’t use Facebook or smart kitchen knives that won’t work without WIFI or what have you.