While on the subject, does anybody know any good ad-blocking solutions for mobile phones?
So far I have experimented with NetShield from ProtonVPN and https://nextdns.io/ with varying results. There are also features baked into certain browsers like the cookie blocker with DuckDuckGo which works extremely well, and UnTrap for Safari on iOS which allows for heavy Youtube web customisation.
Also, shout out to Playlet on Roku. A privacy focused YouTube proxy for the TV which blocks ads and even can identify sponsors, filler and credit segments and allow you to skip these.
I am not involved in any of these projects, I just think they're cool.
What's wrong with Roku? They have a few ads here and there but I've always found the interface to be super slick. And they aren't Google, so not as harmful to share my data with? (a big assumption, I know)
I wouldn't assume Roku is better to share your data with. Google uses your data to feed their own algorithms instead of just straight up selling it. Their incentive is to keep the data internal so they alone can extract value from it.
Not sure if it's been missed or I'm an anomaly. But as a senior level software engineer who graduated in the 10s, with a wealth of experience, I too (like the juniors who get reported on) am struggling to get a new job. Either I'm just not as good as I think I am, or the barrier is ridiculously high for the next type of job I'm trying to achieve (high paying, product focused developer).
LinkedIn bothers me the least, even though it definitely has some of the highest level of cringe content. It's still a good tool to interact with recruiters, look at companies and reach out to their employees. The trick is blocking the feed with a browser extension.
I'm not worried about nation-state surveillance. What I am worried about is all the keyloggers on kids' Android phones these days, since I've seen a shady game company or two in my day.
My impression is that the very first thing a privacy-conscious person would do with a new Android device is install a secure keyboard. Is that not the case? Why should people trust any old software keyboard the company selling it sets as the default?
For a very long time, Apple didn't allow installing custom keyboards. And I would still bet a bit of money that they are more restrictive than the keyboards Android allows.
I'd rather not speculate on that, surely you understand? I'm not saying a general "save the children" but would you consider thinking of them, if that doesn't sound too trite?
wait are you serious? I will buy one right now if those are available. paid $100 for the cheapest acceptable android I could find (samsung galaxy a05s). but I was seeing $500+ for Pixel phones. coming from iOS, I have no idea about any of this. I am right now going to look again. I just wish it was easier for my mom and dad to switch to something safe like GrapheneOS. Feels like we are a ways off from that.
edit: Pixel ordered and GrapheneOS incoming, goodbye iOS.
Just make sure it's an unlocked device. Pixel 8+ is recommended due to 7 years of support from launch and hardware memory tagging. A used Pixel 8 or Pixel 8a is a great option. 6th and 7th generation Pixels are fine, but they launched with 5 years of support so they're getting down to 2-3 years left.
Thank you for the info. Pixel 8a was my choice, and I did end up paying about $50 more than what would have been the best deal, to make sure that it specifically said it's bootloader unlockable to allow for custom OS installations.
I'm impressed by people that can make it anywhere near that long without breaking their phone. I'm on a 1-2 year average of dropping it and having the screen crack.
So far I have experimented with NetShield from ProtonVPN and https://nextdns.io/ with varying results. There are also features baked into certain browsers like the cookie blocker with DuckDuckGo which works extremely well, and UnTrap for Safari on iOS which allows for heavy Youtube web customisation.
Also, shout out to Playlet on Roku. A privacy focused YouTube proxy for the TV which blocks ads and even can identify sponsors, filler and credit segments and allow you to skip these.
I am not involved in any of these projects, I just think they're cool.
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