Consider developing a Google-free version.
Answered
One of the first recommendations from any privacy advocate is ridding oneself of HUGE datamining companies like Google, Facebook, etc. Having MySudo rely upon Google Play Services and the Play Store to function compromises the privacy of it's users.
MySudo currently only works through the utilization of Google Play Services. Android does not equal Google, however. Any phone that uses a different version of android (CopperheadOS, GrapheneOS, LineageOS, etc.) cannot use MySudo, since it heavily relies upon Google for it's services.
There are ways MySudo could me made cross-platform while maintaining privacy of users (check how Mullvad VPN does it for a shining example). This would allow for much better portability of MySudo services (i.e., iOS user, but want to switch to Android? No problem, since now the account itself isn't then tied to those platforms.).
Would this mean more account-management on the part of MySudo? Yes. Would it allow those who try to minimize their Google fingerprint to also use that app? Yes. Would it allow for better account portability? Yes.
Please consider it. Privacy advocates everywhere would thank you.
-
Official commentJack - TeamSudo
- Edited
Hopefully the following 2 posts help with your desire not to rely totally on Google services.
Comment actions Permalink -
Norman
Agreed, I feel this would boost users. Side note Susan, Mullvad, I assume you are using the iOS version now as well. How is it? I know it was really buggy when it released a few months ago.
Comment actions Permalink -
Susan Donim
Personally, I'm a fan of router-based VPN interventions, so my phone doesn't realize its going over a VPN when you're at home. The less you HAVE to install on your phone, the better (MySudo is worth installing, but once they get a Progressive Web App going and use mobile RTC for web-based outbound calling [has it's own privacy implications], that'd be seriously cool!).
Obviously on-the-go that doesn't work, so yes, if your carrier snooping on your traffic is part of your threat model, use a VPN (or better yet Tor Browser if you aren't concerned about speed) when you're away from home. The thing I like about Mullvad is they support WireGuard, which because of its MUCH smaller codebase than OpenVPN, is much easier to audit and verify there aren't bugs in it). I can also get WireGuard speeds MUCH faster than ANY OpenVPN provider, which is a big bonus if you're streaming any sort of media.
Comment actions Permalink -
John Roberts
- Edited
Absolutely agree. It's a tragedy that such an important privacy tool like MySudo can only be used on Google Android and Apple iOS. Both of these companies spy on you like crazy, the only difference being that Apple doesn't sell/share it.
Comment actions Permalink -
JK
Also, why does MySudo post videos to Youtube? https://mysudo.com/2020/05/group-messaging-in-mysudo/ Why can't they be posted somewhere else?
Comment actions Permalink -
I_Want_A_Google_Free_Version
I would pay double for this. And I know of 2 other people that would start using mysudo if this was done. Could there at least be a version that worked on roms with verifed boot (grapheneos, calyxos)? I really wish you guys would take this seriously.
Comment actions Permalink -
VPNtorAndroid
I would pay more for a google free version. Please set up another payment method that does not use google pay. The fact that you do not support custom ROMs is bizarre. The reason for most custom ROMs is to stop google from tracking you.
Comment actions Permalink -
Mr. Smith
I totally agree with everything that has been said. It would be amazing if we could run this on your Custom Rom like Graphene. As an alternative you can always use LINPHONE. But I would rather pay Anonyme if they would support it in the future.
Comment actions Permalink -
Diego Harrison
Hey guys! Fortunately, I recently found OpenPhone and it works flawlessly on CalyxOS -- it should run just fine on other ROMs that have microG as well. Not sure about ROMs without microG like GrapheneOS though but you're free to test it out and post your results on Techlore's Plexus CSV!
Comment actions Permalink -
Nick Cooper
Absolutely agree! That would be great idea, so our cross-platform development (https://develux.com/cross-platform-mobile-app-development) could reach new level!
Best regards,
Nick CooperComment actions Permalink -
J. Doe
There really needs to be some method of using MySudo on more privacy oriented Android ROMs. It sounds like there are MySudo competitors that work on ROMs without Google Services. I am a SudoMax user, but as much as I love it, I use it for privacy. If there is no plan or timeline for if/when this will be a feature, I will have to leave MySudo for the same reason I came to it: concerns over privacy. I really, really, hope this will be changed in the near future.
Comment actions Permalink -
Craig Torrenson
Created an account just to echo this need. Bazzell is great to have as an advocate of your product but I'm sure there are many who, like me, have been standing by for Android-based payment options not tied to Google Play. Considering the content of Anonyome Labs' blog is 90% privacy-related you're at best not practicing what you preach--or at worst hypocritical in your go-to-market.
Comment actions Permalink -
Scotty Pogozelski
Agreed. Why pay through Apple? Spotify doesn't do that...
I love the app but the Google / Apple reliance bugs me.
Comment actions Permalink -
Jason Viebrock
Agreed.
Comment actions Permalink -
Jon
Agreed. I would like to use this on GrapheneOS as I’m moving away from the iPhone.
Comment actions Permalink -
Jeremie Lariviere
In my opinion, the directions provided really do not provide much of a workaround for those concerned about privacy and security. If incoming calls will not work without Google Services, it will prevent me from using the MySudo service(s).
Comment actions Permalink -
Jack - TeamSudo
As previously mentioned, we have users running MySudo successfully on CalyxOS which uses MicroG services (comes installed by default). Incoming calls, message notifications etc work with these services. See Getting MySudo to work on CalyxOS.
We have not tried MicroG services with GrapheneOS as yet, however would love to hear from the community if anybody has been successful in installing / configuring MicroG services on GrapheneOS and getting MySudo to work with these. 😁
Comment actions Permalink -
Randy Stang
- Edited
For people who use DeGoogled android phones (Graphene OS, Calyx OS, Lineage, /e/) MySudo will not work. I was hoping to stay with MySudo but had to go with another service. Once MySudo can get this working on phones without Google Services I and my small business employees will be back to MySudo. Until then, please get this working!
Comment actions Permalink
Please sign in to leave a comment.
Comments
18 comments