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Notes -
People making closed-source software that requires connecting to their server (rather than yours or one you choose) hate you and hold you in contempt. Minimize your contact with these parasites as much as possible because they will always eventually try to fuck you. I've gone through that same process with my Matrix/Element chat app and it works a lot better than what you're describing.
Tbf, a lot of apple users deserve to be held in contempt, technology wise. I think it's fine to have a phone that's designed around minimizing user-agency so they can't fuck themselves. All the smart people should just use a different phone.
I like Apple because I pay the manufacturer directly for the product. All the android phones are full of spyware, aren't they? I've never liked the idea of giving Google access to my personal life - I only have an account for work. Even then, I logged into Youtube on my phone once, and Google has never forgotten it. Are there android systems without heavy google integration?
There are still ads and tracking in MacOS and iOS. The only claim is that it's less than Microsoft's and Google's. A difference of degree, not kind. To your other point, GrapheneOS and CalyxOS are options.
I knew that but I hoped the difference would be a large degree since Apple doesn’t make their primary revenue from ads AFAIK. I’ll look into the options you mentioned.
Well, the best chat app or social network is the one with the people you want to communicate with. I tried to switch all my contacts to my Matrix server to mixed results. The upside is that it's a great filter on the people who really want to communicate with me. ;)
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