cyrus

Arkenfox is simply a set of configuration you can (and should) apply yourself onto a clean Firefox installation.

A fork means taking the source code and modifying it directly, not providing an alternative configuration file.

Arkenfox is not a fork FYI

Hosting data yourself wouldn't be required, but it would become an option.

You'd have the option of leaving your identity on your home server, or a separate domain/website, or host your data and identity but use another instance to federate.

Though, designing UX for this will be an interesting challenge.

I think Whoogle does that?

Sorry for the late reply, that shadow is present in most launchers as a default option to create contrast between the wallpaper and status icons.

Things like Nova Launcher and Lawnchair have options to disable it.

Awesome to see that Sony development is still kicking <3

use Tor Browser.

If your concern is fingerprinting, that is undeniably the best there is out of the box.

If you want Tor Browser without having to use the Tor Network, Mullvad is basically just that; Tor Browser without the Network.

I'd love to slap LineageOS on a modern sony

Loved their devices back then, especially because they offer an extended range of updates specifically for developing on-top of AOSP, even including (Major) Kernel Updates

That on a modern device? Count me in

is this everywhere on the device?

I've had success with this before for unlocking :)

https://www.xiaomitool.com/V2/

SimpleX is quite a promising project, uses Double Ratchet End-to-End-Encryption (from Signal), and has a very interesting protocol and model to provide quite strong metadata protection, especially in regards to whom you talk to and groups you're in.

If your threat model requires exceptionally strong Metadata protection, SimpleX is probably going to be your go-to

Though, for a more lenient threat model, where still good, but less laser-focused metadata protection is enough, Signal will probably do just fine.

Personally I use Signal, but I also have a SimpleX Profile, an XMPP Account and Matrix. (preferred in that order)

The "NO AI" clause is conditional, though.

As mentioned in their FAQ, they will reverse that rule when it is "viable in terms of data privacy and ethicality"

unless the rampant ethical and data privacy issues around datasets are resolved via regulation.

Whilst they aren't VC-Backed, their servers already had to do nearly 10 upgrades, their "AI Detection" is backed by another, third-party AI, and it's not transparent what said service is.

And to top it off, it's a closed ecosystem. You upload your art there, and either Cara dies one day and your following is gone, or they change their policies, leadership or anything else, at which point everyone will have to move again

it's yet another case where the Fediverse and other Federated networks address the core issue that lead to this disaster - content ownership - better than systems like these do. I'm not hopeful for Cara.