For those unfamiliar, GrapheneOS is a privacy and security enhanced custom ROM endorsed by Snowden. Despite these big names, plenty of people give it backlash

Even @TheAnonymouseJoker@lemmy.ml gives it backlash despite being a moderator of Lemmy’s biggest privacy community. A quote here: “grapheneOS trolls are downvoting every single post and comment of mine, and committing vote manipulation on Lemmy. They are using 5-6 accounts.” That was in response to downvotes on a comment posted in the c/WorldNews community, which is entirely unrelated to technology.

One of the reasons is that GrapheneOS can only be installed on Google Pixels due to security compatibility, which makes complete sense considering Android should be most compatible with Google’s own devices. GrapheneOS even lists the exact reasons they chose Pixels, and encourage people to step up and manufacture a different supported device.

One year ago, Louis Rossmann posted this video outlining his reasons for deleting GrapheneOS. Mainly, he had multiple bad experiences with Daniel Micay (the founder and main developer of GrapheneOS) which put his distrust in the GrapheneOS project. Since then, he has stepped down and will no longer be actively contributing to the project.

So, I am here to learn why exactly people still do not like GrapheneOS.

  • T (they/she)@beehaw.org
    0·
    1 month ago

    People like to take sides on the internet without doing proper research too, I think. I had this idea that Micay was toxic and kind of avoided the project for a long time. My conclusions after doing more research is that he is someone that lacks social skills and is indeed very opinionated. However, GrapheneOS isn’t made for privacy activists that can afford to use Mull instead of Vanadium, for example. GrapheneOS is made for people that cannot afford to have a phone that might leak information that could endanger their lives.

    If Mikay was someone like Palmer Luckey which is a biggot that’s a whole different story. I am glad I gave GrapheneOS a try and I am very happy using it, even if it is kind of overkill for my privacy needs.