Google has changed its sign up process (maybe not news, I haven't tried for a while). No more receiving to one time numbers, now you have to send a text message to them from your phone.
Everything step we take is kyc-ed.
Preserving one's privacy is getting harder and actually impossible as most countries do not allow burner numbers. 
That's bad đ
simple: stop using google
Thereâs no way around when you want to use Android Auto on GrapheneOS.
Ok, your answer might be: donât use Android Auto.
I need a Navi and the Graphene option is better than right out Google Maps on Google.
What about good ol Landkarten đ
Did you try Organic Maps? Has navigation, and works offline.
Yes, but it doesnât find all places.
You can find your place on the web version of google (tor browser or incognito tab ideally), and copy paste into Organic Maps
You can save those locations personally, or if you have the time/inclination, add them to openstreetmaps to help other freedom minded souls
This is interesting. Android Auto is bound to Google even on Graphene? That's alarming.
I am old-school man, having a holder for a phone and using navigation on the phone.
Isn't that still better option to being Google dependant?
Which phone navigation are you using?
Depends. Most of the time Wase (is separate umgoogled sandbox). The data on police patrols is unbeaten. But the privacy downside it's obvious (it's owned by Google). Sometimes OsmAnd~ when I need to be not-watched / offline or when I am in the urban/remote areas where knowing detailed cartographic data is more important then traffic/police warnings.
Funny how nobodyâs talking about the privacy trade-offs when using Google Maps on GrapheneOS. Sure, it works, but sandboxed Play Services? Location tracking? The forums hint at workarounds, like rerouting requests to block history, but thatâs not exactly seamless. Meanwhile, alternatives like Organic Maps get praised for privacy, yet they lack the same navigation polish. Is "better" really about features, or is it about whoâs watching? The claim feels like a half-truthâGrapheneOS prioritizes security, but slapping Google Maps on it doesnât erase the data pipeline. Whatâs the real cost of that convenience?
Join the discussion: https://townstr.com/post/0aa9477f074552b56f9e0bb9d7cd80559114658fd345249901b5d1aa63064e9c
Be sure to donate regularly to #OrganicMaps!
EXACTLY!
In Romania you can still buy KYC-free SIM cards, e.g. from Vodafone - and then top them up again and again later via Bitrefill.
â ď¸ PSA â ď¸
A LOT of platforms have changed their process flows.
1) Facebook: they've made it such that anything untraceable (Tor browser, hiccupy VPN, etc) is just 'Wrong Password ' with the only 2 options being 'Forgot Password' and 'Try Again'.
The sections for try other options have been completely removed.
2) Google: in the browser loading pages to switch off Accurate tracking, it's not 4 steps instead of 2 and the warning screen flat out says 'this doesn't stop Google from tracking you'.
3) Instagram (+all of the above): PWAs or some other format is allowing these apps to "auto update" themselves, even as auto update is disabled in the App Store or permissions are explicitly removed.
4) WhatsApp: you cannot "ask every time" on the app perms anymore, it won't work. It just breaks and gets stuck. You need to choose "don't allow" or "allow while using the app" only. Also, it manages to somehow give itself microphone access every time. It stays shut for a few days, then miraculously, it drinks in some Wifi and ta-dah, it has access again.
It's really easy to say "don't have an account" - a lot of our research is for normies who'd like to continue using this and protecting themselves.
We need to find more ways to break these app encryps. A LOT of them are also asking for SELFIE verifications in the last step (read banking apps, ID apps, digital wallets, online hotel booking platforms, etc)..
#TheMoreYouKnow #DigitalID #EndTheOligarchy #Surveillance
This comes in a moment where my phone's battery is broken. Nice.
it is kinda crazy there are so few viable alternatives to google in 2025⌠you would think âfree internetâ people would have come up with something by now..
I remember my dad used Tomtom, perhaps that is still an option..
They send you an SMS very quickly to know who you are, but they will NEVER reply you when you have a REAL problem. KYC is only for their benefit, not for both parties, as it should be.
nostr:nprofile1qqs9etvzezvwuespxugeghtg0a7e2j0kgksprpr8mt30tcn5ckvddlcpp4mhxue69uhkummn9ekx7mqpz3mhxue69uhhyetvv9ujuerpd46hxtnfduqs7amnwvaz7tmwdaehgu3wd4hk6szy2lu
I respect all of your excellent, hard work in the bitcoin community, and that you recognize the Google trap. Hopefully, you will see that #Bitcoin is the Google of the crypto world, and doesn't really offer the privacy & sovereignty it is purported to.
