2024 is here, and they're getting desperate | Hacker News Reader

2024 is here, and they're getting desperate

5 pointsmouse_7 comments

Today upon logging into my computer, I was made aware that my data is at risk because I am not allowing Microsoft to store all of my private files on their servers. I took a picture on my phone and was made aware that my pictures are at risk because I have not paid Google for extra storage, so they cannot store all my private pictures and documents on my phone on their servers. I have repeatedly told Google I do not want them doing that, but maybe I slipped up or my finger missed the button one of the hundreds of times they have asked if I want them to do that. Maybe it -was- my fault?

Whenever a multi-billion dollar company asks me for personal data under the guise of helpfulness, my options are "Sign me up!" and "Maybe later." I'm not sure I've ever seen a "Never" button on one of those prompts. As consumers become smarter, and liquidity becomes harder to come by, these tactics become ever more egregious, and the power grabs become that much more transparent.

This might be an unpopular opinion but I have to believe this can't go on much longer at this velocity. One day, someone is going to install Linux, and it will all be over. When the time is right, it really could be that simple.

You have to install Linux ASAP before you have got used to MS ecosystem or it will be very hard to actually switch the OS with everything you need. And you can not install Linux or your smartphone, this thing is deeply constrained towards making you their slave.

There are smartphones (for various values of "smart" and "phone") which run Linux, and it's possible to install a limited but still quite-useful set of Linux tools on any Android device in the form of Termux (you'll need to side-load or install via F-Droid however). There are other further options on rooted and/or re-ROMed devices (though you'll need a compatible device in this case, which can be difficult to find and/or determine).

That said, yes, mainstream mobile devices do tend to constrain this choice. iOS has no rival to even Termux, and Android itself is an increasingly bastardised tool deadly intent on limiting the user.

Increasingly, my preferred option is to use a cellular/mobile device as a hotspot, and keep my principle tools on a separate device, if at all possible a full-fledged Linux system. Ultra-light notepad or laptop devices probabaly suit this best. A dedicated dumbphone (feature / flip phone) might also be of occasional use, though I've all but abandoned PSTN voice comms at this point for various concerns and considerations.

> There are smartphones (for various values of "smart" and "phone") which run Linux

Really? Which ones?

Pinephone and Librem are the best known. Also Murena (de-Googled Android), Pro 1X, and Volla, and a few more.

See: <https://itsfoss.com/linux-phones/> and <https://linuxstans.com/linux-phone/>

A Pine review was on HN recently. Pretty good Linux system. Not so much as a phone.

<https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=39192584>

here's an unpopular opinion: stop using their "free" services and start self-hosting or paying for 3rd party ones.

My 3rd party option is based in Canada, I'm not sure I'm any better off regarding privacy?

You really think that stops MS nagging to store all of your private files on their servers?

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