Thanks for this post, did not know the untrack me app yet 🙏.
I use freetube, is that in the same category as libretube?
#privacytechpro privacy tool recommendations:
if you want to share a link a yt video on desktop in a way that isn't tracked by #google / #youtube, use #invidious (a youtube frontend) to share
*note
*isn't tracked by google
*always use a vpn.
from invidious faq:
"Q: What data is shared with YouTube?
A: By default, the video stream is fetched directly from Google's servers (googlevideo.com) in order to reduce the bandwidth required by invidious, meaning that Google will be able to see your IP address and some other data commonly sent by web browsers, like your user-agent string.
If you don't want that to happen, you can go to the preferences page and check the Proxy videos option. When this option is enabled, the Invidious instance will be used as a relay (also known as a "proxy") between you and Google's servers, which will hide your IP address and the other information sent by your browser."
go to https://invidious.io/ -> tap 'use invidious' -> choose a server -> paste the yt link in the search box -> tap share
on desktop you can use the ff extension called #LibRedirect to make this process much faster (there is a library of other front-ends included)
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/libredirect/
on #android i recommend #UntrackMe for easy front-end privacy respecting link sharing
https://framagit.org/tom79/nitterizeme
it's only available on f-droid.
*note: if you have to use f-droid, i recommend f-droid basic (it has unattended updates)
https://f-droid.org/en/packages/org.fdroid.basic/
also...
#LibreTube (more private) or #NewPipe are both great front-end apps for watching and sharing yt videos on android
#NewPipe
or #LibreTube (more private...it proxies all requests via piped and prevents google servers from accessing your ip address) are both awesome youtube front-end apps for watching and sharing
read about the differences here:
https://github.com/libre-tube/LibreTube#differences-to-newpipe
pro tip: use an always-on vpn like #mullvad
or #protonvpn
https://github.com/protonvpn/android-app
...and take advantage of their splittunneling function to keep the vpn always-on but still exclude specific apps (proton also allows web addresses) from the vpn for apps/sites that don't play nicely with vpns (and many payment processors)
and as always, i recommend using #GrapheneOS for the best privacy and security on android ( factory unlocked recent-ish #pixel required )
#cybersecgirl #privacy #tools #opensource #android #grapheneos
Discussion
no. unfortunately #freetube isn't in the same category as #libretube.
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Data
Your data is stored on your machine and isn’t used to track your habits when you use YouTube / FreeTube. You can find where your data is located to confirm this. Alternatively, you can export your data from the settings page.
Requests To YouTube
When you use the local API within FreeTube, FreeTube will be required to make a request to YouTube in order to get the data that you’re wanting. This means that your IP Address will be sent over to YouTube along with the minimum required information that may be needed in that request (ex: if you request a channel page, that channel’s ID will be sent along with the request).
When you use the Invidious API within FreeTube, FreeTube will be required to make a request to your set Invidious instance in order to get the data that you’re wanting. This means that your IP Address will be sent over your Invidious instance along with the minimum required information that may be needed in that request (ex: if you request a channel page, that channel’s ID will be sent along with the request). The Invidious instance will then send it’s IP address to YouTube to fetch the data on your behalf.
Out of the two, using the Invidious API has greater privacy due to it being able to act as a proxy between you and YouTube.
Regardless of which API you use, you should use a VPN alongside FreeTube for even greater privacy.
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Thanks for your answer, I was not awake I guess, because libretube is on android and freetube on desktop/laptop đź«Ł.
But thanks to your reaction I learned that I have to use a invidious api on freetube 🙏.
On android I already use Newpipefotr many years and I like it a lot.
ofc. re: the link above, newpipe is great with a vpn. not so great without since google can still see your ip
And with Libretube they cannot see it without a VPN? Shit I thought I had it running over Tor on Invizble pro, but that does not work.
I have a work profile on my GrapheneOS phone that goes over a vpn and my normal over Tor.
gotcha. glad i could help clear that up.
get the details here
https://github.com/libre-tube/LibreTube#differences-to-newpipe
Thanks a lot, learning everyday more and there is a lot to learn. Funny how you can think that for example using newpipe was enough. Thanks for this insight.
Going to have a look at Libretube now.