this post was submitted on 10 Sep 2025
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Privacy

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Hello, I've been in the free software cult for about a year now, and yet, I feel more lost than ever.

I have pretty much switched to all free software other than Whatsapp, which I only use to contact family and people that ignorantly don't care.

I'm having troubles finding a mobile alternative to Signal, which I can talk to people with, but everything I've found is only available on computers.

I use my phone for communication, chess, searches, and navigation, so I'm tied to a device that actively spies on me, and unlike normies, I can't ignore it.

Solution for all would simply be to just let them go, but I'm already in a shit-hole socially, so that'd just make things worse.

I'm still using a 5 year old lenovo thinkbook I got as a present, and I have plans of replacing it with something I can put GNU boot and use a functioning system with parabola on like a Lenovo Thinkpad T400, T500, X200, and X200T. However, I do mechatronics, so I'm going to have serious issues with CAD, compiling, and ethical machine learning, which I have to do for most projects. Even with a lightweight suckless dwm setup, it's going to suck at everything.

That's not even considering the security risks, which are especially bad considering I do activism on topics that are outright banned in countries that I live in / visit.

Have you experienced such a phase? I would really appreciate your advice on getting past this roadblock and finding a device to switch to both mobile and desktop for better privacy.

Edit: user asudox infromed me that matrix was available on mobile, so now I'm using a client called fluffy chat available on both andriod, IOS, web, and GNU+Linux systems which is great.

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[–] sturlabragason@lemmy.world 8 points 1 day ago (2 children)

For example; It’s hard to find mobile keyboards that arent spyware!

[–] hansolo@lemmy.today 15 points 1 day ago (2 children)

Not really - have you looked at the F-droid shop? I use Heliboard and Simple keyboard on android which are both FOSS and cover all my language needs. Neither is spyware as far as anyone seems to know.

[–] penguin202124@sh.itjust.works 6 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Simple Mobile Tools were bought by an Israeli ad company, use Fossify instead.

[–] hansolo@lemmy.today 1 points 11 hours ago

Hold up. You mean this guy?

https://github.com/rkkr

Heli is my default for swipe, but Simple has a specific language I can't get on any other keyboard. But the Fdroid store version I have is just some dude's FOSS keyboard.

[–] sturlabragason@lemmy.world 5 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Ok I actually have those on my Android device and you are correct, they’re cool.

However on my ios device I’m fucked.

[–] Loucypher@lemmy.ml 1 points 7 hours ago

The new Android makes it considerably more complicated to install apps that are not notarized