Fairphone Gen 6 Under Scrutiny: Security Concerns Arise with /e/OS
As someone who follows the mobile world closely, I've always been intrigued by phones that offer something different. The Fairphone, with its focus on repairability and sustainability, definitely caught my eye. The idea of a phone that's easier on the planet and easier to fix yourself is appealing, and the Fairphone Gen 6 seemed to be a step in the right direction.
However, recent claims from the GrapheneOS team, known for their security-focused Android platform, have given me pause, especially regarding the /e/OS version of the Fairphone Gen 6. If you haven't heard of it, /e/OS is designed as a "Google-free" alternative to Android. But according to GrapheneOS, this version might not be as secure as you'd think. They allege that it lags behind in security updates and even disables some important security features, which is pretty concerning.
It’s important to remember that software updates are a crucial part of keeping our devices secure. They patch vulnerabilities that hackers could exploit. If a phone isn’t getting these updates in a timely manner, it’s like leaving the front door of your digital life unlocked.
The GrapheneOS team also pointed out issues with the standard Fairphone Gen 6, noting that its data protection might be vulnerable to PIN or password brute-forcing. They say that the lack of secure element throttling means that someone could potentially crack your PIN or password and extract your data.
But the real kicker is the accusation that /e/OS is actually worse than the standard Fairphone software. GrapheneOS claims that /e/OS misleads users by changing the UI to mask the actual security patch level. It's like putting a fresh coat of paint on a rusty car – it might look good on the surface, but the underlying problems are still there.
Furthermore, if what the GrapheneOS developers are saying is true, /e/OS has problems providing browser updates and also has "invasive" services. Since many apps rely on the system web browser, outdated browser updates are also an issue. While I haven’t personally tested these claims, they do raise serious questions about the security and privacy of the /e/OS version of the Fairphone Gen 6.
It's worth noting that both Fairphone and Murena, the company behind /e/OS, have been contacted for comment on these claims. I am keeping an eye for an update in the near future.
For now, if you're considering buying a Fairphone, especially the /e/OS version, it might be worth doing some extra research and weighing these security concerns carefully. While the idea of a sustainable and repairable phone is appealing, security should always be a top priority.
Source: AndroidAuthority