LyksoJun 29
FediFollows

Google is up to more shenanigans (https://www.laptopmag.com/ai/gemini-phone-access-update), time to switch to free open alternatives:

GOOGLE ANDROID ALTS
@e_mydata & @murena
@volla
@iode
@nitrokey
@openandroidinstaller
@GrapheneOS
@calyxos

GMAIL ALTS
@Tutanota
@fastmail
@hellomailo (in French)
@mailbox_org (in German)

GOOGLE DOCS / DRIVE ALTS
@nextcloud
@CryptPad
@CollaboraOffice
@ONLYOFFICE

GOOGLE PLAY ALT
@fdroidorg

GOOGLE KEEP ALT
@joplinapp

YOUTUBE ALT
@peertube

(news via https://eupolicy.social/@alderik/114765467397075662)

Google Gemini is about to control your messages and calls, even if you say no

Google’s AI assistant is about to get full access to your calls, texts, and WhatsApp — even if you’ve disabled activity tracking.

Laptop Mag
Jun 29 at 3:50pmWeb
Show threadNate MetzgerJun 29
@FediFollows I feel that it's important to note that @mailbox_org also has English pages in addition to German
Show threadFediFollowsJun 29

@alphapuggle @mailbox_org

Yup, good point! I think all these offer multiple languages?

I was mainly trying to mark that the account is in German.

Show threadD1Jun 29
@FediFollows what is the reason Proton Mail is ommitted ?
Show threadFediFollowsJun 29

@dani1

Protonmail made some very disturbing posts on their official account (seeming to back Trump) which caused a huge backlash, and they left the Fediverse.

Show threadRonnie TuckerJun 29
@FediFollows @dani1 do you have links to the posts they made? I'm a paid subscriber to them, so I'd like to see their posts and see what they have to say about them before I potentially move my emails elsewhere.
Show threadjoep schuurkesJun 30
@ronnietucker here's one source: https://theintercept.com/2025/01/28/proton-mail-andy-yen-trump-republicans/
Proton Mail Says It’s “Politically Neutral” While Praising Republican Party

The “privacy-first” company surprised its user base when CEO Andy Yen lauded Trump on social media.

The Intercept
Show threadWallyJun 29

@dani1 @FediFollows

Most likely this:

https://theintercept.com/2025/01/28/proton-mail-andy-yen-trump-republicans/

Proton Mail Says It’s “Politically Neutral” While Praising Republican Party

The “privacy-first” company surprised its user base when CEO Andy Yen lauded Trump on social media.

The Intercept
Show threadNickolas GrigoriadisJun 29
@Wally @dani1 @FediFollows Interesting. Makes me regret the paid subscription.
Show threadtpaau-17DBJun 29
@FediFollows @Tutanota @fastmail @hellomailo @mailbox_org @nextcloud @CryptPad @CollaboraOffice @ONLYOFFICE @e_mydata @murena @volla @iode @nitrokey @openandroidinstaller @GrapheneOS @calyxos @fdroidorg @joplinapp @peertube FDroid isn't a Google Play alternative, it's just a different app store. Aurora Store is an open source, anonymous Google Play frontend you could call an alternative.
Show threadFediFollowsJun 29

@tpaau17db

As far as I know Aurora doesn't have a Fediverse account?

Show threadJonChevreauJun 29
@FediFollows @Tutanota @fastmail @hellomailo @mailbox_org @nextcloud @CryptPad @CollaboraOffice @ONLYOFFICE @e_mydata @murena @volla @iode @nitrokey @openandroidinstaller @GrapheneOS @calyxos @fdroidorg @joplinapp @peertube Did they scrap the “Don’t be evil” mantra?
Show threadFediFollowsJun 29

@JonChevreau

Oh yes, very much so. It's evil all the way for Google now, they have no moral compass.

Show threadMacCruiskeenJun 29
@FediFollows @JonChevreau They have a moral compass. It is pegged to 'E'.
Show threadGabe KangasJun 29
@JonChevreau They removed it in 2018.
Show threadJonChevreauJun 29
@gabek So the slogan was changed to “Be Evil” ?
Show threadGabe KangasJun 29
@JonChevreau Pretty much.
Show threadSnuffleupadonJun 29

@FediFollows @Tutanota @fastmail @hellomailo @mailbox_org @nextcloud @CryptPad @CollaboraOffice @ONLYOFFICE @e_mydata @murena @volla @iode @nitrokey @openandroidinstaller @GrapheneOS @calyxos @fdroidorg @joplinapp @peertube

I deleted the Google app on my Pixel which ostensibly got rid of Gemini. Some people online had convinced me that agreeing to the nag prompt would allow me to then say I wasn't interested -- which was not the case. So I had to go with the nuclear option.

Show threadZoë (english toots)Jun 29
@FediFollows I thought @iode development stopped, did something change?
Show threadHairyNevusJun 29

@FediFollows

Accrescent is another Play Store alternative, and on the Fediverse: https://infosec.exchange/@accrescent

Small number of apps for now, but some pretty good ones in there.

Accrescent (@accrescent@infosec.exchange)

61 Posts, 1 Following, 1.46K Followers · An open-source Android app store focused on security, privacy, and usability. Currently in alpha.

Infosec Exchange
Show threadSpaceLifeFormJun 29
If no one tries to contact me, can I blame this on a bug in Gemini ?
Show threadVexJun 29

@FediFollows

Does this include phones too old to receive updates?

Show threadjosh g.Jul 1

@FediFollows can you also, like, just not install the gemini app?

I got the most recent android update talking about this crap, but I don't have Gemini installed and still don't AFAIK

Show threadVollaficationistJul 10

@FediFollows @Tutanota @fastmail @hellomailo @mailbox_org @nextcloud @CryptPad @CollaboraOffice @ONLYOFFICE @e_mydata @murena @volla @iode @nitrokey @openandroidinstaller @GrapheneOS @calyxos @fdroidorg @joplinapp @peertube

Thanks for mentioning Volla! It's a great OEM of open-source smartphones and tablets, with lots of cool solutions for embedded AI, cloud without data centers, and meshnet.