You don't have to give your personal information to Bitcoin companies.
This opinion editorial is by Anthony Feliciano. He is a Bitcoin event organizer, consultant and strategist.
Here's part 2 of my series about how smartphones spy on you. Part one can be found here.
This is the second part of my series.
- De-Googling your mobile OS.
- You can still use your phone to access SIM, eSIM, and IMEI.
- Lightning Network and Bitcoin apps that can be used on a non-Googled device.
- These are the steps to create your opt-out strategy.
CalyxOS and GrapheneOS
GrapheneOS provides a sandbox Google Play.
"GrapheneOS provides a compatibility layer that allows you to use official Google Play releases in the standard app sandbox. Google Play does not have any special access to GrapheneOS. Instead, it bypasses the app sandbox and receives a lot of highly privileged access. The compatibility layer helps it to use the full app sandbox. It is not used to backend OS services like it would elsewhere. GrapheneOS does not use Google Play, even if it has em> installed.
CalyxOS also offers a practice option with their Aurora Store. Aurora Store's premise is that Google Play is being replaced by microg:
"[It] is a replacement for some functions of Google Play Services, while maintaining much greater anonymity."
This allows you download apps that you already know and use every day.
I am a current user and have been using GrapheneOS for a while. This is my opt out plan when I get tired of Big Tech and draconian government overreach. I've tried out many of the features and I know which tools I can use. I'll share with you what you can do in the next article.
SIM, eSIM and IMEI
You must comply with KYC protocols when you buy a new phone from a provider. This means that you will hand over your personal information to the provider. You will receive a new phone with a SIM card or, for some phones, an eSIM. An IMEI number allows you to access the provider's mobile network. This information could be used to subpoena a provider for records. It can also include all of your data and web history. What can you do? You want to be able to communicate with your family and friends.
Unlocked phones can still be purchased in cash at Best Buy. The phone can be purchased as-is and will not be tied to any provider like Verizon, ATT, or T-Mobile. You don't have to give out any personal information and can use your phone with any provider by purchasing an eSIM or SIM card.
*Bitcoiner Pro Tip: You can buy eSIMs and pay via Lightning or BTC.
Pro tip for Bonus Bitcoiner: To further reduce your online footprint, ensure that you use a VPN or Tor before visiting any website. Please use post-CoinJoin BTC through JoinMarket if you plan to buy Bitcoins. Lightning: Make sure that the funds you use for opening channels from your base BTC are from a post CoinJoin in order to make Lightning payments. Silent.Link is one example of a website that offers eSIMs for BTC.
This is the most extreme part of my opt out plan. You have the option to choose whether or not you want a SIM card. To ensure that your SIM card is not stolen or blacklisted, you will need to provide the IMEI number of your phone when activating it. My opt-out SIM has never been activated and my older model phone does not have an eSIM option. To access the internet, I use Wi-Fi hotspots along with Tor and a VPN. I know of an advanced technique called IMEI spoofing. Although I haven't tried it, the goal is to bypass IMEI that are blocked from accessing network providers. The IMEI remains blacklisted so changing the SIM won't help.
*Note – Wi-Fi only records very limited information, such as the MAC address, device model and browser used, and the OS. Your SIM and IMEI numbers are not recorded. If your phone pings a mobile tower, information will be recorded. This information can easily be tracked down using the IMEI number.
Bitcoin and De-Google Smartphone
For all you Bitcoiners who are fed up with the tracking and spying, let's install some Lightning Networks and Bitcoin apps to make your phone optimized for your opt out plan.
Below is a list listing Lightning Network and Bitcoin apps released by companies and developers as Android Package Kits. APKs are vital for de-Googled phones as they allow developers to install them on your phone without the need for Google Play service. Samourai discovered that having an app in the Google Play Store requires you to agree to their request to remove security functions. Samourai went the next best option — direct download via APK.
These are the apps that I use for Bitcoin and Lightning Network, and their APKs. There are likely many more.
- Zeus: The APK download is right on their main page. This app is perfect for connecting to your node.
- Breez: From their Github Page: "Breez" is a Lightning Network mobile client, and a hub. It allows for instant, simple bitcoin payments.
- Download the APK for Android from Electrum **Note: Connect Electrum to the.onion address of your node network, don't use automatic servers**
- Tor: Download the APK. This is the Tor Browser that allows you to connect to the internet.
- Samourai wallet: Download the APK. Use it to connect to your Samourai Dojo, or for Whirlpool.
- BlueWallet: BlueWallet, a custodial wallet that supports both Bitcoin and Lightning is easy to use.
- SBW: An easy and simple Bitcoin and Lightning app
- ProtonVPN is my favorite VPN service. They offer a free client that allows you to connect to a limited number of countries, and also have pay tiers. A good VPN service should offer their app via apk.
- Telegram: To get a unique one-time verification by SMS, you can purchase a SIM/eSIM using bitcoin. You will likely want to create a new Telegram Account, as you may have used your personal number to verify it.
- Element: A chat application that is widely used. You may have heard of Matrix. Element is an app that you can download to your phone.
APKs should only be used on the main project website or Github page. Avoid websites offering APKs for apps you don't know about. They are often rebuilt by sites, and it is difficult to tell if the app is the original or one that has remote access to all the information you input. If you are unable to find the APK for your project on their website, please contact them and ask.
How to Build an Opt-Out Strategy
- Pick a de-Googled OS.
- You can load Lightning and Bitcoin apps from home.
- You can also add security apps such as Tor browser and VPN.
- Take your backup phone along with you when you leave your house.
- Learn what works and what doesn't for you.
- What apps are you "unable to live without"?
- Ask yourself: "What security gaps have I missed?"
- You can use Bitcoin privately with confidence.
I hope this article was helpful. This is just one more step on the climb down the rabbit hole of Bitcoin. Technology doesn't necessarily mean that we must give up our freedoms in order to have the easiest and most convenient options. You can still use Bitcoin and create an opt-plan. You might also enjoy my other articles, "Is This Mobile Banking – Bitcoin On The Go" and "Is This Mobile Banking – Lightning Node Mobile" where I take my Lightning node on a road trip with it. Next, read "How To Make Your Lightning Network Node Mobile" — this is the technical guide to making the node mobile. Combining all three topics will allow you to opt out.
To illustrate the final goal, I have included three photographs.
A Google Pixel flashed with GrapheneOS. No SIM card — to prove I don't have a sim and that my IMEI wasn't registered
I have downloaded all the LN and Bitcoin apps that I use, and I am able to use Bitcoin privately by downloading the APKs.
Although I was called a "boomer", for taking photos of my GrapheneOS rather than doing screenshots, this gives the product a real "real deal" look and feel.
Anthony Feliciano contributed this guest post. These opinions are not necessarily those of BTC Inc.
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By: Anthony Feliciano
Title: A Plan To Opt Out And De-Google Your Phone To Use Bitcoin Privately
Sourced From: bitcoinmagazine.com/technical/plan-to-opt-out-use-bitcoin-privately
Published Date: Fri, 09 Sep 2022 23:00:00 GMT
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