cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/11117839

Fossify Phone (fork of Simple Dialer) has been released on F-Droid.

Fossify Gallery (fork of Simple Gallery), Fossify File Manager (fork of Simple File Manager) and Fossify Calendar (fork of Simple Calendar) are also available for download on F-Droid, with more to come.

(ICYMI: Simple Mobile Tools suite was acquired by an adware company and their apps on the Google Play Store now contain trackers and unnecessary permissions. This report from Exodus shows that the old version of Simple Gallery had 0 trackers and 10 permissions, whereas the app, after sale, contains 9 trackers and 21 permissions!)

About Fossify: Fossify is all about community-backed, open-source, and ad-free mobile apps. A fork of the SimpleMobileTools, which is no longer maintained, and we’re here to continue the legacy, bringing simple and private tech to everyone.

  • OlPatchy2Eyes@lemmy.world
    7·
    5 months ago

    How does my default phone app on Android threaten my security? Does this app use data for calls or cell connection?

    • ForgottenFlux@lemmy.worldOPEnglish
      23·
      5 months ago

      Android’s Messages, Dialer apps quietly sent text, call info to Google

      Google’s Messages and Dialer apps for Android devices have been collecting and sending data to Google without specific notice and consent, and without offering the opportunity to opt-out, potentially in violation of Europe’s data protection law.

      According to a research paper, “What Data Do The Google Dialer and Messages Apps On Android Send to Google?” [PDF], by Trinity College Dublin computer science professor Douglas Leith, Google Messages (for text messaging) and Google Dialer (for phone calls) have been sending data about user communications to the Google Play Services Clearcut logger service and to Google’s Firebase Analytics service.

      “The data sent by Google Messages includes a hash of the message text, allowing linking of sender and receiver in a message exchange,” the paper says. “The data sent by Google Dialer includes the call time and duration, again allowing linking of the two handsets engaged in a phone call. Phone numbers are also sent to Google.”

      The timing and duration of other user interactions with these apps has also been transmitted to Google. And Google offers no way to opt-out of this data collection.

      • Vaeril@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
        4·
        5 months ago

        Am I wrong in feeling like if my phone isn’t completely degoogled, there is not much point in not using Google apps because Google has so much integration into Android when not degoogled? I kinda view Google spying on me as unavoidable until I degoogle.

        • MiltownClowns@lemmy.world
          5·
          5 months ago

          I switched to graphene so these make sense. I agree, though, if Google is baked in to your OS you’re pissing in to the wind trying to stem the flow of data to them.

    • EunieIsTheBus@feddit.de
      61·
      5 months ago

      The default app is only just like any other app. The fact that it is the default / preinstalled doesn’t mean it is minimal or necessary software. In fact any company can release their own slightly modified version of Android. That’s also the reason why a Samsung smartphone, a google pixel and some other random small company might all have Android xyz installed but you get a different set of preinstalled apps, different Launcher / home screen or standard settings.

      So what your default app does or can do depends what or whose app it actually is and random people from the internet cannot tell you more about it if you don’t give more context.