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GrapheneOS is the only Android OS providing full security patches

(grapheneos.social)
751 points akyuu | 8 comments | 06 Dec 25 13:58 UTC | HN request time: 0s | source | bottom
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SubiculumCode ◴[06 Dec 25 17:09 UTC] No.46174850[source]▶
Why was it that in the early PC days, IBM was unable to keep a lid on 'IBM compatible', allowing for the PC interoperability explosion, yet today, almost every phone has closed drivers, closed and locked bootloaders, and almost complete corporate control over our devices? Why are there not yet a plethora of phones on the market that allow anyone to install their OS of choice?
replies(14): >>46174896 #>>46175070 #>>46175178 #>>46175179 #>>46175231 #>>46175239 #>>46175248 #>>46175271 #>>46175428 #>>46175683 #>>46176094 #>>46176142 #>>46180732 #>>46181041 #
1. piyuv ◴[06 Dec 25 17:36 UTC] No.46175070[source]▶
Cory Doctorow answers this in his book “The Internet Con”. IBM fought with DoJ for years. Today, it’s a felony to mess with anything locked down (anti circumvention)
replies(1): >>46175127 #
2. subscribed ◴[06 Dec 25 17:44 UTC] No.46175127[source]▶
I don't think it's a felony to root/jailbreak one's own phone.
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3. Yokolos ◴[06 Dec 25 18:28 UTC] No.46175447[source]▶
The problem is doing it as a company. IBM wasn't defeated by hobbyists building their own PCs. They were defeated by other companies reverse engineering their BIOS and selling their own IBM compatible systems. This isn't possible anymore. It just means you get buried in lawsuits until you go bankrupt.
4. immibis ◴[06 Dec 25 19:25 UTC] No.46175922[source]▶
It is. 17 U.S. Code § 1201 - Circumvention of copyright protection systems
replies(1): >>46176263 #
5. matheusmoreira ◴[06 Dec 25 20:06 UTC] No.46176217[source]▶
https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2019/06/felony-contempt-busine...

It's not your phone, it's theirs. They're just letting you use it, and only if you're a good boy who follows all their policies and terms and conditions. Subvert this in any way and it's a felony.

6. aspenmayer ◴[06 Dec 25 20:13 UTC] No.46176263{3}[source]▶
Well actually, it isn’t for individuals and certain groups, technically.

Rooting/jailbreaking have had exemptions for many years now, on a three year basis which has seemingly been continually renewed, by the Librarian of Congress.

Exemption to Prohibition on Circumvention of Copyright Protection Systems for Access Control Technologies (2024)

https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/10/28/2024-24...

https://www.eff.org/issues/dmca-rulemaking

replies(1): >>46179845 #
7. garbagewoman ◴[07 Dec 25 07:14 UTC] No.46179845{4}[source]▶
You’re breaking the TOS which is a felony according to the CFAA
replies(1): >>46181862 #
8. aspenmayer ◴[07 Dec 25 14:24 UTC] No.46181862{5}[source]▶
Sounds like FUD to me. All of the cases I’m familiar with actually say that violating TOS isn’t against CFAA.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_Fraud_and_Abuse_Act