cross-posted from: https://lemmy.dbzer0.com/post/609404
I mean, exactly how invasive are default operating systems? (Like Windows, Mac, Chrome OS, Android, iOS) Do they log your keystrokes, log passwords, capture screen, upload your photos, videos, or audio? (Assuming you aren’t a target of government) Is it even possible for the average person who doesn’t feel comfortable messing with installing operating systems to have any privacy?
Basically the question comes down to: who do you trust and why?
If you didn’t code it yourself or validate every line of code, you’re trusting someone with your privacy. Most of us have no interest in and no capability to code our own operating systems, so at some point you must trust someone else. (And even if you code your own OS, do you manufacture your own hardware?)
Linux obviously is open-source so you can verify code yourself. But there are closed-source packages and even being open-source is no guarantee people will make good privacy decisions. Still, pretty good compared to alternatives.
Google is an ad company who wants your personal information to sell you stuff. I personally don’t trust that with my privacy.
Apple is … okay. They take privacy extremely seriously and have no interest in profiting from your personal data. But they are closed source so you are trusting their implementation.
Microsoft generally sucks and I think personally they would do practically anything for a buck. So, no trust from me.
I consequently run Linux and iOS. But you have to weigh the pros and cons yourself.
As Apple has moved from focusing on hardware to services, including ads, they do have an interest on using your data.
There was even a scandal where with the App Tracking permissions added, which reduced third party data collection, but their 1st party apps like Stocks, doesn’t respect it, continuing to collect data even when the user has denied tracking globally.