We’re close to 100,000 Murena and /e/OS regular users. Our business activity is getting stronger and stronger, even reaching break-even in 2025. And I have a growing feeling that we’re living a turning point moment: /e/OS and the Murena mobile ecosystem is increasingly becoming a credible default option to become the third major mobile ecosystem in Europe and in the world. And not only on mobile: we see very strong opportunities to even embrace and disrupt the PC market. Will the moray eel eat the dinosaur?

All this to explain that this traditional “yearly roadmap post” is a bit late this year!

Why we’re doing this

A quick reminder of what it’s all for. We build /e/OS and Murena because the device in your pocket should serve you, not the company that made it. That means privacy and digital rights by default, not as an upsell. It means software that’s actually usable by everyone, not just technical people willing to be brave. It means sustainability: supporting 250+ devices because the greenest phone is the one you already own. And it means digital sovereignty, especially for Europe, where a few big companies shouldn’t get to decide what the mobile internet looks like for the next generation.

/e/OS & Murena Workspace V4 – launching in June 2026

We are going to launch /e/OS & Murena Workspace V4 with quite a number of interesting and long-awaited features.

Beyond improved app compatibility (in particular for /e/OS Official), one of the new things will be a backup feature that will allow /e/OS users to reinstall a new device from an existing backup. This is very useful if your device is lost or stolen, but also when you want to use a newer device (which normally shouldn’t happen too often, since we’re supporting a lot increased longevity of devices with /e/OS).

The backup feature is something that is expected in a modern OS and doesn’t seem to be difficult to create. It’s true and not true at the same time: although several pieces of software exist for this purpose, they generally lead to a poor user experience and an incomplete scope of backup. We have been working hard to address this and offer an easy-to-use and straightforward online backup solution for /e/OS, with strong security.

Another feature will be a new option to import all emails from a Gmail account and set up the appropriate redirection. This will be a very useful mechanism for all those who want to leave the Google ecosystem for something better!

A change on voice-to-text

We’re also going to change the voice-to-text feature in /e/OS. We first implemented it with full guarantees in terms of personal data protection and privacy, including voice anonymization on device and an IP anonymizer through a proxy. Technically, the privacy was real.

But we’ve come to realize that user trust matters more than the elegance of the privacy-preserving design. If a meaningful share of users won’t believe a feature is private unless nothing leaves the device. Then the answer is to make sure nothing leaves the device. We’re replacing the current implementation with on-device-only recognition. It will use more resources on the device, but will work offline, and hopefully will close the door on a recurring source of fake information about /e/OS. This may land slightly after V4, but it’s coming soon.

Murena Workspace: videoconferencing and e-signature

More exciting features are also going to be unveiled on the Murena Workspace, including an encrypted videoconferencing feature (in beta) and an e-signature functionality. We have designed both to be as convenient and pleasant to use as possible. Beyond Murena’s mission on privacy and sustainability, we are still putting significant effort into making it accessible and enjoyable to everyone, with no learning curve.

B2B is here

Our B2B expansion is now here. /e/OS has been improved regarding compatibility with existing MDM (Mobile Device Management software), and we also have our own MDM, already deployed with our first customers.

The traction is real and growing. Last year we delivered dozens of Murena devices to a business customer. Right now, Murena-/e/OS is being piloted in parallel by a university, a municipality, and a telecom operator, three very different organizations, all converging on the same conclusion: that there is a serious European alternative to the default mobile stack, and it’s ready to be tested at scale.

And we’re quite excited to launch Murena Workspace for businesses in June. It’s been a big development because we couldn’t use the same infrastructure as Murena Workspace for individuals, plus we had to add new features. This will be an extremely interesting option for organizations looking to move away from Office 365 or Google Workspace.

Hardware: more devices, more partners

A quick word on smartphone hardware… What’s interesting is that you can take almost any existing smartphone, flash /e/OS on it, and get a Murena smartphone experience with benefits you won’t find on the big tech OSes. Hardware is a commodity though it’s a complex piece of engineering and is ultimately what customers purchase. So it’s important for us to support as many smartphone models as possible (more than 250 currently with /e/OS Community) and to significantly extend our hardware partner network for Murena smartphones. This increases our reach and, in the end, grows the Murena user base substantially.

We’re currently expanding our hardware partners quite a lot, so expect again new cool devices in 2027 and beyond.

Three new projects in the pipeline

Last but not least, three new projects we’ve started working on:

1. A great Maps application, launching in beta soon. We’re designing it as a credible replacement for Google Maps, open source, with all the features you’d expect and more. It will likely become the default Maps app on /e/OS.
2. The Elixir web browser, /e/OS’s web browser, now being built for Linux, macOS and soon Windows. “Yet another web browser?” Yes, because we don’t see a fast, generic, neutral, strongly privacy-respecting browser that everyone can find and use today. We’re not making a new startup out of this. We just want a nice, ethical browser that works for everyone.
3. A new mobile application store, with fair values, innovative technology, and a better deal for app publishers. An important project to close the loop on our remaining dependencies on big tech.

More on each of these soon.

Joining the wave

None of what’s in this post happens without people choosing to be part of it. The 100,000 users, the community contributors, the hardware partners, the institutions starting to take European digital sovereignty seriously, that’s already a coalition. Murena is the spine, not the whole of it.

So here is where you stand. If you’re tired of being the product, V4 is the version to switch on. The Gmail import and backup features exist precisely so you don’t have to be brave to leave. If you run an organization rethinking its dependency on Google Workspace or Office 365, talk to us about the B2B pilot. If you work in European institutions or policy circles thinking about digital sovereignty, we want to hear from you! This window might not stay open forever, and what gets built in it depends on who shows up.

The moray eel doesn’t eat the dinosaurs alone.

— Gaël & the Murena Team

Follow me: @gael@mastodon.social on Mastodon

Discover more about Murena: murena.com
Learn more about /e/OS: e.foundation

The post Joining the Wave: Murena & /e/OS 2026 Roadmap appeared first on Gaël Duval (blog, Murena, /e/OS my data is my data, Mandrake Linux...).

Some people say that open source will not survive the rise of generative AI. I understand the angle, but it leaves me puzzled.

Open source is first a tool for transparency. When you can see the source code, you can verify that it does not hide anything dangerous or dishonest. You can check if there are bugs. It is also a way to let others contribute to a project. They can fix bugs, propose new features, or adapt the code for another purpose. And there is another important aspect: sharing and forking. Sharing code is how open source spreads knowledge and helps others build new things. Forking allows innovation, diversity, and sometimes even new communities to grow from the same base.

All of that stays true, no matter how the code is written. Whether it comes from a human typing every line or from a machine generating it, it doesn’t change what open source means. If you make the code proprietary, you lose these essential benefits: transparency, collaboration, sharing, freedom, whatever tool you used to create it.

Yes, AI can now produce working code in seconds. But I see that like a student who learned to code by reading open source examples. Models like OpenAI Codex have learned programming rules, syntax, and best practices by reading code and programming rules written by humans. They do not copy-paste code, they generate new code by following patterns and logic that already exist.

It’s learning, not theft.

Attribution also doesn’t change. The authorship of code remains with humans: the ones who drive the AI system, decide what to generate, what to keep, and what to publish. AI is a tool, not an author. The person who commits and shares the code is still the responsible contributor, just like before.

So what does AI really change? Not much. The principles of open source remain the same. The tools evolve, but the model stays. Humans are still responsible for what they publish. The code is still open to review, improvement, and redistribution.

The real challenge is not AI. It’s what happens when companies build powerful AI systems but keep them closed, trained on public data they don’t share back. That is the real risk for the open ecosystem. And it is not new: we have seen it before with proprietary software built on open foundations. The answer is not fear. The answer is to make AI open too, with open models, open data, and clear licenses.

In the end, AI doesn’t destroy open source. It shows why we need it more than ever. When machines can write code, we still need a way to check what they do, to trust the result, and to improve it together. That is open source. And that doesn’t change.

Gaël Duval – November 2025.

CEO at Murena.com – /e/OS and Mandrake Linux creator. Open source/Free Software evangelist since 1997.

The post Why AI won’t “Kill Open Source” appeared first on Gaël Duval (blog, Murena, /e/OS my data is my data, Mandrake Linux...).

The answer is simple: the Fairphone (Gen. 6) is officially available for customers from the USA online at https://murena.com/america through an official partnership between Murena and Fairphone.

Look for “Murena Fairphone (Gen. 6)! it’s preloaded with /e/OS, the deGoogled mobile OS that keeps users’ privacy safe.

It is currently listed at $899.00 USD.

Murena Fairphone 6 URL: https://murena.com/america/shop/smartphones/brand-new/murena-fairphone-6/

The post Where is it possible to purchase the new Fairphone 6 in the USA? appeared first on Gaël Duval (blog, Murena, /e/OS my data is my data, Mandrake Linux...).

What’s a smartphone in today’s world ? It’s the object in everyone’s pocket that gets thrown away in 2.7 years lifespan. It’s a little bit more for an iPhone but that’s the industry average. And as everyone already strolls around with it glued to their hands, increasing the number of sales for this product, could mean making sure that the number of 2.7 stays low. Or even lower. Either because the newer version is more appealing and shinier or because of obsolescence and degradation of quality.

Extending the lifespan of smartphones — or any technological device — effectively reduces product demand and, in turn, sales. However, since 80% of a smartphone’s energy consumption occurs during manufacturing, this also significantly lowers its environmental impact, potentially cutting it in half or more.

There is a huge stake in how long people keep their electronic devices and how often they go for the upgrade. While it’s not good for the environment, the incentive is that people replace their device at an even faster rate.

Your phone is not dying, the OS is rendering it obsolete

The phone becoming sluggish, lack of ecosystem integration and software support … These common reasons for replacing your phones are not from hardware failure. Your phone works fine until the security patches dry up, the OS won’t update, the critical apps are not available.

Planned obsolescence designed as progress and upgrade. Tech companies have created a system where the control of the upgrade cycle gives them control of your device stability. Buy an Apple, buy a Samsung, you know that in a few years, software updates are going to stop coming. It’s already in the public’s mind: 3 years is an old phone.

It also comes down to how software is used to limit the control you have on the hardware. One of the biggest reason for changing your phone is still the battery, no matter the phone. It is the component that deteriorates the most. A natural process but manufacturers have deliberately designed smartphones to be sealed shut, using among other ways, software locks. You can’t simply replace the battery — you’re forced to replace the entire device or go to them.

Make no mistakes, it’s not just a flaw.

Take Apple’s case with the Batterygate.

In 2016, when users and different parties began to notice Iphones slowness, instability, and unexpected shutdown after specific software updates, a pattern was quickly revealed. A pattern of product degradation on older phones like the iPhone 6 and 7. Apple responded by acknowledging the issue and justifying it as a way of preserving the battery life.

But if your phone slows down to unusability, and you’re not told why, you replace it. Instead of empowering users with the simple choice of replacing the battery and keeping your phone, they buried the slowdown in an update and offered no transparency. It resulted in millions of people affected and a lot of them thinking their devices were dying and therefore, buying new ones.

Their cynicism ended up costing them a lot because years later, Apple settled for a fine of 113 million american dollars and was forced to issue transparency documents about the throttling of their devices’ performance because they made the choice for the users.

But it’s yours to keep

You paid for it, so you should decide when it’s time to move on — not the tech companies. Why should their need to sell you a new device really override your right to keep the one you already own ? When software dictates when your device “expires,” what you really lose is ownership. That shiny smartphone in your hand doesn’t belong to you anymore — it belongs to the business model of whoever made it.

Longevity is Resistance

The name of the game becomes; whose interests are being served and prioritized? Shareholders values or environment and consumer satisfaction?

Obviously there is an imbalance in how those interests are being served, the balance tipping in one clear direction. But as consumers, there is a way to skew the direction in the other, by making your voice heard. Every extra year you hold onto your smartphone or laptop is one more year you refuse to play by their rules.

A five-year-old smartphone still makes calls. It still sends messages. It still accesses the web. The only reason it feels outdated is because the software was designed to make it feel that way.

That’s why longevity is resistance.

It’s resistance against waste. Against manipulation. Against a business model that relies on disposability and disguises it as innovation.

Keeping your tech running longer is a powerful way to vote with your device. And the more people who choose durability over disposability, the louder that vote becomes.

Different approaches, with more coming

Thankfully, some companies work to align themselves with user and public interests and view their product as investments for their customers.

Pixii’s cameras are built with the future in mind — offering long-term support by creating local jobs, modular upgrades, and freedom from the endless cycle of yearly releases.

Supernote, an eInk Android device manufacturer, has been selling batteries and spare parts and made sure to make those easily replaceable.

And in 2027, a new law will take effect across Europe: portable batteries must be removable and replaceable by the user.

Murena’s work with Fairphone

Fairphone isn’t just another smartphone. It’s an act of defiance. Built to be repairable, designed to last, and committed to ethical sourcing. But more than that — it’s a symbol of a different way of thinking about tech.

Murena is proud to partner with Fairphone to provide a deGoogled, privacy-first phone that keeps your device useful for the long haul. The combination of /e/OS software and Fairphone hardware is built on one principle: you should control your tech — not the other way around.

Change your perspective!

By being aware of how the software impacts the durability of the device in your hand, you can now spot when planned obsolescence is being disguised as upgrade and improvements. Obsolescence engineered directly into the OS and the software. Some low cost manufacturers stop producing updates after a few months. 

Do you need the latest features? do you need an up to date web browser? do you need up to date security patches? do you need to run apps? Buy the new phone.

The first step, as always, is awareness. To understand that the solution already stands in your hands. You bought the device. You should decide when it stops serving you — not Apple, not Google, not Silicon Valley. By cutting support early, tech giants are actively pushing millions of perfectly functioning devices into landfills which results in a tidal wave of waste, massive environmental damage, and the public that thinks they “need” a new phone every two or three years.

Because this isn’t just about tech — it’s about control. It’s about our environment. It’s about freedom. And the more you hold on to what you own, the less power they have to take something from you. It’s time to reject built-in obsolescence. It’s time to demand software that respects your hardware — and your choices.

Let’s get back to responsible practices — and take back control of our devices and our future.

— Gaël Duval, CEO and Founder of Murena and e Foundation.

Follow me on Mastodon @gael@mastodon.social — also on some other social networks.

Image attributions:

• illustration picture by GPT4 and Gaël Duval
• other pictures by Gaël Duval

The post The real smartphone (and environment) killer? The Operating System. appeared first on Gaël Duval (blog, Murena, /e/OS my data is my data, Mandrake Linux...).

At Murena, we’re on a mission to deliver operating systems, apps and cloud storage that offer exceptional privacy protection from invasive data harvesting practices common to big tech and app publishers, all without compromising usability. Moreover, our open source approach facilitates your digital sovereignty, whether you are a person, a business, a non-profit or a government.

This approach sets us distinctly apart. We are often compared to “security-hardened” platforms designed primarily to withstand targeted attacks on one individual, frequently sacrificing ease of use. Our philosophy is different: we build technology that’s accessible, practical, and human-centered — for both individuals and organizations. And this technology protects you from large-scale data collection by big tech companies.

The rapid growth in Murena and /e/OS users worldwide confirms that our vision resonates strongly. We’re addressing a fundamental need shared by an increasing number of people around the globe who seek credible and usable alternatives in the digital world.

Why 2025 is special

This coming year is particularly significant for us at Murena and the /e/OS community. The global environment poses increasing threats to our freedoms, democratic institutions, personal values, and fundamental human rights. When unchecked power shapes societies, when free expression is increasingly equaling hate speech, when endless profit systematically overshadows human well-being, and instability seems like an opportunity rather than a challenge, it’s vital we build robust alternatives grounded in respect, ethics, and genuine privacy.

This is precisely what Murena and the /e/OS ecosystem represent: powerful tools to safeguard individuals and businesses against digital intrusions from both industry giants and malicious actors?—?helping rebalance power back into our own hands.

What’s coming in 2025

This year promises unprecedented growth?—?not just in terms of user numbers, but also technological maturity. Here’s a snapshot of exciting developments coming your way:

Murena Workspace for Businesses & Mobile Device Management

We’ve been receiving continuous requests from organizations looking to migrate away from platforms like Office 365 and Google Docs. To address this, we’re thrilled to announce Murena Workspace for Businesses, specifically designed for businesses. It will provide comprehensive tools for team management, collaboration, email, calendars, and more?—?all hosted on your own custom domain if desired.

Additionally, we’ll introduce a powerful Mobile Device Management (MDM) solution, enabling organizations to effectively manage fleets of Murena smartphones and tablets.

Major /e/OS enhancements

This year is a critical milestone for /e/OS, emphasizing stability, app compatibility, and user-friendly enhancements:

• Enhanced Parental Control: extended settings like “screen time management” and more granular controls, making /e/OS a top choice for parents who want a safe digital environment for their children, of course including the right to privacy.

• “Device Recovery” feature: a straightforward yet essential tool that will let users locate lost devices will be introduced into /e/OS.

• “UnifiedPush”push notifications: we have already integrated the UnifiedPush technology as an option to Google push notifications. It will eventually be enabled by default, for instance to inform users about important news related to /e/OS.
• Improved search experience: our current default search engine is not performing optimally, and we recognize the need for a better option for /e/OS users. Ultimately, we aim to replace it with an assistant service that fully guarantees privacy. As an interim solution, we are collaborating with an established privacy-focused search engine to deliver high-quality search results with privacy as a default feature.

• Advanced Privacy reports: regular insights into how /e/OS protects your privacy will display weekly, ensuring transparency and confidence.

Expanding Murena hardware lineup

We’re excited to expand our device lineup:

• New Murena tablet: developed in partnership with a European manufacturer.
• Additional smartphone models: more choices in our Murena smartphone range, including a new type of smartphone! Want to guess which …  ?
• Tablet mode & Desktop experience: a full-fledged /e/OS tablet mode and the ability to use your Murena tablet as a PC replacement, transforming productivity.

Groundbreaking security in Murena Workspace

We are excited to introduce a new feature to the Murena workspace, which will, for the first time, provide an option to store files with genuine end-to-end encryption.

That’s not all, though. But let’s keep some surprises under wraps for now. Naturally, this will warrant the release of /e/OS V3 in a few months!

Thank you for your ongoing support and trust in our collective journey to transform digital technology into a force for human good.

Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest updates on Murena and /e/OS (approximately two emails per month), and the V3 release date.

— Gaël & the Murena Team

Follow me: @gael@mastodon.social on Mastodon

Discover more about Murena: murena.com
Learn more about /e/OS: e.foundation

The post Murena & /e/OS 2025: another leap towards Usable Privacy for All appeared first on Gaël Duval (blog, Murena, /e/OS my data is my data, Mandrake Linux...).

We’re living in an age where every tap and every swipe can feed the data collection practices of Big Tech giants. Smartphones have become integral to our daily transactions, highlighting the growing need for secure, privacy-respecting payment solutions.

Google Pay might appear convenient, but it comes at a significant cost: your personal data. Every transaction provides yet another data point, further fueling Google’s extensive data-driven business model. Murena and /e/OS provide a degoogled, privacy-first alternative. Yet, until recently, privacy-conscious users faced challenges accessing mainstream payment services without compromising their values.

Contactless payments: convenience shouldn’t compromise Privacy

Contactless payments have become a common practice, transforming our shopping experiences. However, this convenience shouldn’t necessitate surrendering our privacy. Users of Murena smartphones, equipped with the privacy-focused /e/OS, have historically faced barriers in accessing popular contactless payment methods. Google’s widespread monopoly often pressured users to compromise their privacy principles.

“Curve” offers an effective alternative

Fortunately, new solutions like “Curve”, a European (EEA + UK) fintech provider, offer practical options for Murena users. Curve enables users to securely link their VISA or Mastercard and make payments conveniently via their smartphones without relying on Google Pay. While Curve itself may not be entirely flawless in terms of privacy, it significantly reduces exposure to invasive data collection.

Furthermore, /e/OS’s built-in Advanced Privacy feature effectively blocks trackers embedded in apps like Curve. Our tests confirmed Advanced Privacy successfully prevented Curve’s six trackers from collecting user data, ensuring transactions remain aligned with the user’s privacy-focused values.

Curve was successfully tested with several banks on VISA and Mastercard, for contact-less payments in stores:

If you know about other similar alternatives (not to be confused with digital wallest that just record cards informations), please report them and we will share!

“Zettle”, and others, for merchant payments

For merchants using Murena smartphones running /e/OS, PayPal’s Zettle provides a solid, practical payment solution. Zettle enables smartphones to function as contactless payment terminals, a method tested successfully on Murena Fairphone 4 with /e/OS. Zettle allows merchants to securely and efficiently manage transactions without reliance on Google’s payment ecosystem.

/e/OS’ Advanced Privacy has found (and blocked) two trackers in the running Zettle app: Firebase Analytics and Paypal.

Setting up a payment request on Zettle.

Zettle app connected to the Zettle terminal to accept a contact-less payment. This is running on a Murena Fairphone 4.

Other Payment Alternatives

Additional practical alternatives worth exploring include:

• SumpUp: affordable terminals compatible with Murena smartphones, ideal for small businesses.
• myPOS: An integrated payment system supporting various European payment methods.
• … others? Please tell us!

These solutions may not guarantee absolute anonymity, but each alternative significantly reduces reliance on Google Pay, allowing users to maintain greater control over their data.

Our goal: moving beyond Google Pay

Ultimately, our goal is clear: reduce reliance on Google Pay until it becomes unnecessary. We aim to empower users with secure, practical payment solutions that respect their privacy. 

By adopting alternatives like Curve and Zettle, Murena and /e/OS users can enjoy the convenience of modern payments without compromising their principles, and therefore help fighting against the net giants monopolies.

Together, let’s reclaim control over our digital lives!

Disclaimer: Murena and /e/OS don’t have any link or partnership with the products tested or listed in this article, neither do I. However we’re open to collaborations if they align with our principles about Privacy and personal data protection.

— Gaël Duval, CEO and Founder of Murena and e Foundation.

Follow me on Mastodon @gael@mastodon.social . Also on some other social networks.

Image attributions:

• illustration picture by GPT4 and Gaël Duval
• other pictures by Gaël Duval

The post Practical Payment Solutions for Murena and /e/OS Users appeared first on Gaël Duval (blog, Murena, /e/OS my data is my data, Mandrake Linux...).

À l’ère numérique actuelle, la vie privée est un luxe que peu peuvent se permettre. Nos smartphones sont devenus les yeux et les oreilles de forces invisibles. Des géants de la technologie aux entités douteuses, chacun de nos mouvements est suivi, enregistré et vendu. Être suivi n’est pas seulement une préoccupation abstraite – cela a des conséquences réelles et tangibles…

Quel est ce monde où vos secrets intimes, vos problèmes financiers, et même vos routines quotidiennes sont exposés à quiconque est prêt à payer pour cela ? Ces données peuvent être utilisées pour manipuler vos décisions, voler votre identité ou même vous faire chanter. Par exemple, votre historique de navigation peut être vendu à des entreprises qui vous inondent de publicités ciblées, ou pire, vos informations personnelles pourraient se retrouver entre les mains de cybercriminels qui les utilisent pour vous arnaquer, vous ou vos proches. Mais ce problème est plus profond et plus répandu que la plupart des gens ne le réalisent.

De la crise de la surveillance cachée au viol numérique

Réalisez ceci : chaque fois que vous ouvrez une application ou naviguez sur un site web, vos données sont diffusées à d’innombrables entités à travers le monde. Ce processus, connu sous le nom d’enchères en temps réel (Real-Time Bidding, RTB), est l’épine dorsale de la publicité en ligne. Cependant, il ne s’agit pas seulement de vous vendre le dernier gadget ou forfait vacances. Comme décrit récemment dans un rapport détaillé sur la crise de sécurité cachée de l’Europe, la RTB permet à des États étrangers et à des acteurs non étatiques d’accéder à des données personnelles sensibles sur des personnes clés et des dirigeants. Ces données, qui proviennent de presque tous les sites web et applications mobiles, sont diffusées des milliards de fois par jour sans mesures de sécurité adéquates.

Rapport sur la crise de sécurité cachée de l’Europe – 2023

Les conséquences de cette diffusion constante de données sont terrifiantes. Le vol d’identité est un problème courant, où les criminels utilisent vos données volées pour ouvrir des comptes bancaires, contracter des prêts ou commettre des fraudes en votre nom. Des femmes dans certains pays ont été emprisonnées pour avoir cherché à avorter, leurs actions détectées par la surveillance numérique sur les réseaux sociaux. Imaginez être poursuivi parce que vos activités en ligne ont révélé quelque chose d’aussi personnel qu’un problème médical ? Il y a des cas où les secrets intimes d’individus, tels que l’orientation sexuelle ou les conditions de santé, ont été exposés, menant au chantage et à l’ostracisation sociale. Plus horrifiant encore, les dissidents politiques peuvent être suivis et réduits au silence, leurs mouvements et communications surveillés par des régimes oppressifs.

Cette diffusion constante de données inclut votre localisation, vos habitudes de navigation et même vos intérêts personnels. Pire encore, elle peut être facilement liée à des individus spécifiques, ce qui en fait une mine d’or pour ceux qui cherchent à exploiter vos vulnérabilités. Que ce soit votre situation financière, votre état psychologique ou vos secrets intimes, rien n’arrête le viol numérique.

Comment vous protéger, vous et votre organisation

Sur les smartphones, /e/OS est un système d’exploitation mobile conçu avec la confidentialité au cœur. Il élimine les traqueurs et les publicités des applications qui infestent les smartphones conventionnels, vous donnant le contrôle sur vos données. Les smartphones Murena, équipés de /e/OS, assurent que vos informations personnelles restent personnelles.

Pas de traqueurs, pas de publicités

Contrairement à tout autre système d’exploitation mobile traditionnel, /e/OS élimine par défaut tous les traqueurs et publicités des applications. Cela signifie que vos données ne sont pas partagées avec les annonceurs ou d’autres tiers. Vous êtes libéré des yeux numériques qui suivent chacun de vos mouvements.

En éliminant le processus de RTB, /e/OS réduit considérablement le risque que vos données tombent entre de mauvaises mains. Les smartphones Murena sont aujourd’hui le seul moyen d’assurer que vos informations sensibles sont à l’abri des regards indiscrets, qu’ils proviennent d’États étrangers ou d’acteurs malveillants.

Bloqueurs de publicités et de traqueurs au niveau du réseau

En plus d’utiliser des systèmes d’exploitation axés sur la confidentialité comme /e/OS, vous pouvez vous protéger davantage, vous, votre famille et votre organisation, avec des bloqueurs de publicités et de traqueurs au niveau du réseau comme Pi-hole. Pi-hole agit comme un trou noir DNS qui bloque les publicités et les traqueurs pour chaque appareil sur votre réseau, y compris les PC et les tablettes. En installant un Pi-hole derrière votre routeur Internet, vous pouvez vous assurer qu’aucun appareil connecté à votre réseau domestique n’est exposé à un suivi et à des publicités non souhaités. Cela ajoute une couche de protection supplémentaire, complétant les mesures de confidentialité sur vos appareils individuels.

Méfiez-vous des tactiques marketing “privacy washing” !

/e/OS et le projet Pi-hole sont open source, ce qui signifie que son code source est disponible pour que tout le monde puisse l’inspecter. Cette transparence, souvent appelée “confidentialité vérifiable”, contraste fortement avec les tactiques marketing de “privacy washing” employées par des entreprises comme Apple. Elle assure qu’il n’y a pas de portes dérobées cachées ni de mécanismes de collecte de données secrets. Vous avez un contrôle total sur les données que vous partagez et avec qui.

L’argument du « Rien à cacher »… Vol d’identité, influence, démocratie et droits fondamentaux

Une réponse courante aux préoccupations de confidentialité est : « Je n’ai rien à cacher ». Mais cette perspective néglige plusieurs problèmes critiques.

Tout d’abord, la confidentialité est un droit fondamental ! La confidentialité consiste à avoir le contrôle sur vos informations personnelles. Tout comme vous ne voudriez pas que quelqu’un fouille votre courrier physique ou vous regarde chez vous, la confidentialité numérique consiste à maintenir un espace privé dans votre vie en ligne. C’est un droit humain fondamental reconnu par de nombreuses lois et chartes internationales, y compris la Charte des Droits de l’Homme.

Même si vous pensez n’avoir rien à cacher, les informations collectées sur vous peuvent être utilisées de manière inattendue. Les courtiers en données peuvent créer des profils détaillés sur vous, qui peuvent être vendus au plus offrant. Ces informations peuvent être utilisées pour des arnaques ciblées, des vols d’identité ou même pour influencer votre comportement à votre insu.

La confidentialité n’est pas seulement une préoccupation individuelle ou professionnelle ; elle est aussi sociétale. La collecte massive de données peut conduire à des abus de pouvoir, comme on l’a vu dans divers scandales de surveillance (scandale Cambridge Analytica !). Lorsque les gouvernements et les entreprises ont un accès illimité aux données personnelles, cela peut étouffer la liberté d’expression, réprimer la dissidence et éroder les fondements d’une société démocratique.

Vos données personnelles et professionnelles peuvent également être une porte d’entrée pour les pirates. Avec suffisamment d’informations, les acteurs malveillants peuvent se faire passer pour vous, accéder à vos comptes financiers ou exploiter votre identité à des fins criminelles diverses. Protéger vos données permet de sauvegarder non seulement votre vie privée mais aussi votre sécurité personnelle et financière.

Une vraie solution à un vrai problème – agissez maintenant !

L’importance d’un système d’exploitation mobile sécurisé comme /e/OS ou de bloqueurs de publicités et de traqueurs au niveau du réseau devient encore plus évidente lorsqu’on considère les risques mis en évidence dans le rapport sur la crise de sécurité en Europe. Les entités étrangères peuvent exploiter les données RTB pour suivre des personnes clés, recueillir du kompromat (matériel compromettant), et potentiellement manipuler ou faire chanter des individus. Les implications sont vastes, affectant non seulement les particuliers mais aussi les organisations entières et la sécurité nationale.

Chaque moment passé sur un smartphone conventionnel contribue à ce vaste réseau de données. En passant à un smartphone Murena avec /e/OS et à un Pi-hole, vous ne protégez pas seulement vous-même mais vous prenez aussi position contre la culture omniprésente de la surveillance.

Le monde numérique est une arme à double tranchant, offrant commodité au détriment de la vie privée. Cependant, avec des solutions comme /e/OS sur les smartphones Murena et Pi-hole, vous pouvez profiter du meilleur des deux mondes. Il est temps de reprendre votre liberté numérique et de garantir que vos données restent les vôtres.

Dans un monde où les données sont considérées comme le “nouveau pétrole”, protéger votre vie privée est plus crucial que jamais. En éliminant les traqueurs et les publicités, en renforçant la sécurité et en offrant transparence et contrôle, vous vous donnez les moyens de protéger votre propre vie. N’attendez pas que vos données soient compromises. Faites le changement aujourd’hui et vivez la véritable liberté numérique !

— Gaël Duval – Juin 2024.

Suivez-moi sur @gael_duval sur X/Twitter, @gael@mastodon.social sur Mastodon.

The post Utilisateurs de smartphones : Vous êtes surveillés ! Comment protéger vos vies personnelles et professionnelles pour vous prémunir du viol numérique. appeared first on Gaël Duval (blog, Murena, /e/OS my data is my data, Mandrake Linux...).

[Version en Français ici] In today’s digital age, privacy is a luxury few can afford. Our smartphones have become the eyes and ears of unseen forces. From tech giants to shady entities, our every move is tracked, recorded, and sold. Being tracked isn’t just an abstract concern—it has real, tangible consequences…

What is a world where your intimate secrets, financial troubles, and even your daily routines are exposed to anyone willing to pay for it? This data can be used to manipulate your decisions, steal your identity, or even blackmail you. For example, your browsing history could be sold to companies that flood you with targeted ads, or worse, your personal information could end up in the hands of cybercriminals who use it to scam you or your loved ones. But this problem goes deeper and is more widespread than most people realize.

The hidden surveillance crisis

Realize this: every time you open an app or browse a website, your data is broadcast to countless entities across the globe. This process, known as Real-Time Bidding (RTB), is the backbone of online advertising. However, it’s not just about selling you the latest gadget or holiday package. As described recently in a recent a detailed report on Europe’s hidden security crisis, RTB allows foreign states and non-state actors to access sensitive personal data about key personnel and leaders. This data, which flows from almost every website and mobile application, is broadcast billions of times a day without adequate security measures.

_{Europe’s hidden security crisis report – 2023}

The consequences of this constant data broadcasting are terrifying. Identity theft is a common outcome, where criminals use your stolen data to open bank accounts, take out loans, or commit fraud in your name. Women in some countries have been jailed for seeking abortions, their actions detected through digital surveillance on social networks. Imagine being prosecuted because your online activities revealed something as personal as a medical procedure. There have been instances where individuals’ intimate secrets, such as sexual orientation or health conditions, were exposed, leading to blackmail and social ostracization. Even more horrifying, political dissidents can be tracked and silenced, their movements and communications monitored by oppressive regimes.

This constant data broadcasting includes your location, browsing habits, and even personal interests. Worse still, it can be easily linked to specific individuals, making it a goldmine for those looking to exploit your vulnerabilities. Whether it’s your financial troubles, mental state, or intimate secrets, nothing is off-limits.

How to protect yourself and your organization

On smartphones, /e/OS is a mobile operating system designed with privacy at its core. It strips away applications’ trackers and ads that plague conventional smartphones, giving you control over your data. Murena smartphones, equipped with /e/OS, ensure that your personal information remains just that—personal.

No trackers, No ads

Unlike any other traditional mobile operating systems, /e/OS cuts out by default all applications’ trackers and ads. This means your data isn’t shared with advertisers or other third parties. You’re free from the digital eyes that follow your every move.

By eliminating the RTB process, /e/OS significantly reduces the risk of your data falling into the wrong hands. Murena smartphones are the only way today to be assured that your sensitive information is safe from prying eyes, whether they’re from foreign states or malicious actors.

Network-wide ad and tracker blockers

In addition to using privacy-focused operating systems like /e/OS, you can further protect yourself, your family and your organization with network-wide ad and tracker blockers like Pi-hole. Pi-hole acts as a DNS sinkhole that blocks ads and trackers for every device on your network, including PCs and tablets. By setting up a Pi-hole behind your Internet router, you can ensure that no device connected to your home network is exposed to unwanted tracking and ads. This adds an extra layer of protection, complementing the privacy measures on your individual devices.

Beware of privacy-washing marketing tactics!

/e/OS and the Pi-hole project are open source, meaning its source code is available for anyone to inspect. This transparency, often referred to as “auditable privacy,” stands in stark contrast to the privacy-washing marketing tactics employed by companies like Apple. It ensures there are no hidden backdoors or secret data collection mechanisms. You have full control over what data you share and with whom.

The “Nothing to Hide” argument… Identity theft, influence, democracy and fundamental rights

A common response to privacy concerns is, “I have nothing to hide.” However, this perspective overlooks several critical issues.

First of all, Privacy is a Fundamental Right! Privacy is about having control over your personal information. Just as you wouldn’t want someone snooping through your physical mail or watching you in your home, digital privacy is about maintaining a private space in your online life. It’s a fundamental human right recognized by many international laws and regulations.

Even if you believe you have nothing to hide, the information collected about you can be used in ways you might not anticipate. Data brokers can build detailed profiles about you, which can be sold to the highest bidder. This information can be used for targeted scams, identity theft, or even to influence your behavior without your knowledge.

Privacy isn’t just an individual or professional concern; it’s also a societal one. The mass collection of data can lead to abuses of power, as seen in various surveillance scandals. When governments and corporations have unchecked access to personal data, it can stifle free speech, suppress dissent, and erode the foundations of a democratic society.

Your personal and professional data can also be a gateway for hackers. With enough information, malicious actors can impersonate you, gain access to your financial accounts, or exploit your identity for various criminal activities. Protecting your data helps safeguard not just your privacy but also your personal and financial security.

A real solution to a real problem – act now!

The importance of a secure mobile operating system like /e/OS or network-wide ads and tracker’s blockers become even more evident when considering the risks highlighted in the report on Europe’s security crisis. Foreign entities can exploit RTB data to track key personnel, gather kompromat (compromising material), and potentially manipulate or blackmail individuals. The implications are far-reaching, affecting not just individuals but entire organizations and national security.

Every moment you spend on a conventional smartphone, you’re contributing to this vast data network. By switching to a Murena smartphone with /e/OS and to a Pi-hole, you’re not just protecting yourself but also taking a stand against the pervasive culture of surveillance.

The digital world is a double-edged sword, offering convenience at the cost of privacy. However, with solutions like /e/OS on Murena smartphones and Pi-holes, you can enjoy the best of both worlds. It’s time to reclaim your digital freedom and ensure your data remains yours.

In a world where data is considered to be the new oil, safeguarding your privacy is more crucial than ever. By eliminating trackers and ads, enhancing security, and providing transparency and control, you’re empowering yourself to protect your own life. Don’t wait until your data is compromised. Make the switch today and experience true digital freedom!

— Gaël Duval – June 2024.

Follow me on @gael_duval on Twitter, @gael@mastodon.social on Mastodon.

The post Smartphone users: You are Being Watched! Protect Your personal and professional lives to avoid digital rape. appeared first on Gaël Duval (blog, Murena, /e/OS my data is my data, Mandrake Linux...).