[fsflover]

> With all that information, I think it's reasonable to say that iPhones are far from private. But, as the alternatives are even worse

Android smartphones are indeed worse, but it's not the only alternative. Consider GNU/Linux phones if you care about privacy and want to support it: https://puri.sm/products/librem-5 and https://pine64.org/pinephone.

There are also things like /e/OS (Edit: and GrapheneOS), but they are installed on Android phones and must obey their planned obsolescence due to the proprietary drivers (tied to an old Linux kernel).

[LinuxBender]

Also GrapheneOS [1] but hardware options are limited. LineageOS [2] and its fork /e/ [3] appear to have some more hardware support.

How many years will a phone running these be usable on average?

[1] - https://grapheneos.org/faq#device-support

[2] - https://wiki.lineageos.org/devices/

[3] - https://e.foundation/

[sbuk]

Didn’t you just challenge someone for ‘shifting goalposts’ and being off topic? What has GrapheneOS got to do with Apple?

[fsflover]

I said that GrapheneOS is a relatively good alternative to Apple, although with a downside. Where is shifting goals? It's important to discuss solutions to the problem, not to say "you are also spied by other people and companies".

[scarface74]

And that phone also sends your IMEI and your location to the carrier. It has to enable to work.

[fsflover]

It does only if the hardware kill switch is on. You control it. Also, it doesn't send anything else to anyone.

[scarface74]

If the cellphone carrier has your IMEI and location so do third parties that they sell it to and law enforcement.

https://9to5mac.com/2022/07/22/carrier-location-data/

[fsflover]

It's true. At least with a hardware kill switch, you know exactly when they do not have this information about you.