Your Phone Contacts AREN'T Private

[@NaomiBrockwellTV]

Our latest newsletter summarizing our takeaways: nbtv.substack.com/p/your-contact-list-isnt-private

[@zine_eddinex24]

Lewis Rossman released new 🆕 Privacy Focus keyboard called #futo i think it would be great to bring attention to it in future vides ❤😅

[@Stevie-J]

Naomi has "cool aunt" vibes. The one that gives good advice and good gifts at christmas

[@frequentlycynical642]

Hmmm....not me. A ringer for my first hot little redhead many years ago.

[@Stevie-J]

@@frequentlycynical642 If it was many years ago, maybe she is someone's cool auntie by now 😎

[@natemarx4999]

It is always an honor to see Naomi in my notifications. I was following this gem when she barely had 2,000 subscribers.

[@1vbAPiYk]

Seriously? It's an honor to be a subscriber? Really low bar there

[@rebeccaizzmeeFemm1]

Unbelievable 😅

[@jozsefizsak]

Absolutely! 😊

[@girohead]

More importantly, she is normalizing the need for EVERYONE to be vigilant. If it was just the few of us in the know, everyone else would think we're nuts and not comply. I'm amazed how many 'businesses' are still so loose with data - how many notices must you tolerate that apologize for a 'laptop being stolen' - why is my social security data on some employee's laptop? Or big box stores mentioning a hack stealing 10,000 credit card numbers? 'Sorry.' Even the apology emails are scams now where they want you to enter your info ('so they can monitor')....UGH

[@NaomiBrockwellTV]

Your support means the world, thanks for being here all these years 💛

[@girohead]

Ugh, thanks for clarify and reminding. Last night a contact asked for my full name, but I had given my Google Voice number, so I changed my number to my real number, to not associate my real name with Google, but now there is my real cell. This is such BULL! I'm going back to just lying, just like when dentists ask for Soc. Security number - they don't need it, I pay cash.

[@DustyKorpse]

Seems pen and paper is the future 🤣

[@FirstTimer23]

You say that jokingly, but you may be more right than you realize....for those that truly care about privacy in any real way.

[@papanam4267]

The future? It’s our past! So we’d be going “Back to the Future” if we did go back to pen and paper of the past.

[@iamNotHereB]

With carbon copy for DR

[@sotecluxan4221]

+courier mail. Western regimes r nosily checking ur mail eagerly!! All important stuff is delivered privately! If u by a gadget, never by order. Go to a shop far away, concealing ur face! E.g. Amazon is known to alter/hack gadgets, allowing authorities in their premises!

[@MinaSchloch]

Ah yes, digital bad doomerism. This is exactly what you shouldnt do. Empower, not scare.

[@yomi001]

Great video Naomi! I like that it's not just a description of why phone contacts aren't private, but that you also include solutions for more private apps or services.

[@juxt]

search Zippo bought SMT

[@petehurd5301]

Years ago a friend also asked me not to put their contact info in my phone, it make me think twice about adding birthdates and other personal info into my contacts. The final straw came when my robot vacuum cleaner, which has many functions (such as vacuming around a spot) only usable through the app, and the app needed access to my contacts to work. As if...

[@tsbrownie]

It's a bit like DNA. You can avoid getting your DNA on a database, BUT your relatives carry 1/2, 1/4... of your DNA and they can supply that information whether you like it or not. The difference is, if your data on someone else's phone is shared, it's shared 100%, not 1/2, 1/4....

[@cameronmoore136]

I've said this before and I'll say it again. I love this channel.

[@SergioMollari]

Your work is definitely appreciated. Thank you. 😀👍My android has no accounts except Signal and Proton. My Google/Play account was taken off as soon as I finished the setup, and pretty much everything else was either denied privileges, turned off, or both. Seeing as I use either Brave or Firefox, this includes Chrome as well. My contacts list is just first name and number, and everything else that would normally be there I keep between my ears. This was a tedious process, but for me it was worth it. Seeing as I never use most of the apps on it, they're not missed. Backups are local to my Linux box. Like I said, this works for me. For now, it's enough. I'll do more after my android's warranty period ends.

[@stevenpugh5412]

I’m a trustee on my condo board. We’re currently evaluating intercom and access control systems for the building. One of the suggestions is an app based system. I read the privacy policy. The app grabs the contact list in order to make it “easier’ to interact with possible visitors. Plus the privacy policy is full of holes, and those policies often change. If the company is bought, then any promises made are gone. I told the other trustees I’m a firm no.

[@tejloro]

Serious question: If I tell an app it does NOT have my permission to do something, what's to stop it from doing it anyway and just not telling me???

[@comesignotus9888]

You are not telling an app. You tell your operating system (Andoid, iOS) which apps should have permissions, and which shouldn't. And (unless the app developers have some secret agreement with Google or Apple to give them access to the info anyway), the operating system will prevent the app from accessing your contacts until you explicitly allow it. And if you use community builds of Android, you can be reasonably sure your the OS does what you intend it to do.

[@rutgerhoutdijk3547]

The best solution is to use an OS like Graphene, you can still use Google apps but they have to ask permission like any other app.

[@humilulo]

the operating system on your phone stops it. (Android or iOS)

[@no_country_for_real_men]

​@@comesignotus9888doubt it

[@aaronz3073]

Thank you so much for all that you do for us.

[@ricead]

Great to see people waking up to these things, especially amongst the younger generation whoijust use these things without thinking.

[@LeonEdwinsHeart]

Thank you very much for so much knowledge! I am slowly getting a better handle on my privacy.

[@planenut767]

Wonder if this will mean we'll start remembering phone numbers again from memory like the good old days😆

[@kathyphillips1272]

Exactly...many had great memories as a result 👍

[@Willpowerstudios]

thank you so much for sharing this !! it's one of my big concerns

[@ax6070]

Great info, thank you, Naomi. Would you make a new updated video of the tools you're using today? new entries, old ones, etc. etc.

[@NaomiBrockwellTV]

That's a great idea!

[@Ryzza5]

A Proton contacts, sms, and dialler app would be nice right about now

[@asan1050]

Great video Naomi!

[@jimcabezola3051]

Thanks to privacy channels like this one, I simply don't even use contact lists at all. I don't use event calendars, schedulers and other dross like that, really. I need to get some of this merch! I want to wear it EVERY TIME I go to a place that asks me for my phone or email! A little passive aggression won't hurt them. Heaven knows THEY dole it out constantly...

[@itsLuffie]

I use proton main and tutanota mail for contact and the contacts in tutanota can also integrate to the phone app so that's a great feature to have rather than like in proton mail needing to open the mail app again and again

[@PyCoder82]

Too much of a hassle... I just use my trusty Nokia 6110 and it's a good bottle opener too! 😅

[@pwnmeisterage]

Every time I get any new device, new phone, new computer, the first thing I do is go through every control panel and setting and preference it provides, top to bottom. I deliberately disable all background data and activities, all processes, all syncs, all updates, all notifications, all permissions, all those things which constantly communicate online. But even so, there's always a bunch of greyed-out and UI-locked items - sensitive and interesting items - which I am forbidden to disable. The default operating system and softwares don't protect your privacy and don't provide useful privacy controls where it really matters most. Plus they also obstruct you from disabling annoying and frustrating and stupid things the OEM has decided are "important". So my advice is don't waste your time doing any of this stuff until you root the device to gain full control and proper permissions over everything on it.

[@jozsefizsak]

Well, that was another eyeopener. Thank you once again. BTW, we apparently have a mutual friend in the person of Ronald Duck. Small world, assuming it's the same person. Or duck. 😉

[@businessreform]

Great information. Thank you!! 👍

[@davidbraddock_us]

Would love a list of best Graphene Phones for 2024

[@NaomiBrockwellTV]

Graphene only works on Pixel phones

[@ColectiveConsciousness1111]

Great content, thanks for sharing🙏 I disengage from businesses that don't align with my values.

[@NaomiBrockwellTV]

That's awesome to hear!

[@HopliteSecurity]

Great video!

[@jwb6583]

Cool lightning earrings! Have a nice weekend!

[@stephenhill6791]

As always... Super smart and beautiful! Thank you!!!

[@iblackfeathers]

depending on the phone, i have either zero people on my phone’s default contacts list or only spammers or telemarketers on my contact list. so if the list gets pilfered it goes back to those spammers, telemarketers, robocalls, and data brokers.

[@ronm6585]

Thanks Naomi.

[@NaomiBrockwellTV]

Thanks Ron

[@l0I0I0I0]

IS THERE an APP for backing up your phone and installing Graphene?

[@deeyadeli1435]

Simple tools has been sold to a company known to add trackers. Don't use simple tools. The fork from simple tools from the creator of simple tools is now fossify. And he has vowed to not sell fossify and keep the apps private.

[@robertpayne6847]

All well and good shielding other peoples numbers.... as long as they do likewise!

[@nommindymple6241]

Simple Mobile Tools apps were sold a bit over half a year ago. I'm not sure if they're even open source any more.

[@juxt]

Exactly, use fossify apps from Fdroid

[@deeyadeli1435]

The fork for simple tools by the same developer is now fossify.

[@NaomiBrockwellTV]

Description updated, thanks!

[@deeyadeli1435]

Thanks for quick response!

[@l0I0I0I0]

Why isn't there a single app that handles all these exploits for windows, Linux, android, apple?

[@Berecutecu]

KeyPassXC or ProtonMail that she mentioned doesn't fit this category?

[@shellz831]

built the app.

[@mikelandry2007]

Another old fashioned alternative is to carry around a small book with contacts information. Or one could simply memorize phone numbers.

[@ozzemie]

I'm mainly worried about other not so privacy conscious people who have me in their contact lists, not much I can do about that, even though I use Graphene and don't sync any contact lists automatically anymore.

[@Mercurio-Morat-Goes-Bughunting]

This is part of why I avoid cloud services. The main reason is that if my data is not stored locally, I am no longer in possession of my own data and big tech is notorious for doing ridiculously unethical and criminal things like depriving users access to their own data - which capability is one of the goals of software as a service. If you dumb down computing to dumb terminals all sharing a server, the user no longer has control of things like user data, software, security, access, etc., and things like social credit become a real threat as companies begin to deny more and more services to people who use words or express opinions which are subject to government censorship somewhere in the world or commercial censure among some corporate interests.

[@oneme6076]

Why have a cellphone if it is so controversial. I feel like I am being held up by a robber. Why do I need to frustrate myself with all of this botheration? I feel like I am in a game of catch me if you can. Why not make it simple. No smart phone no head aches! I grew up with no phone in our house until I was 8 years old. On a party line. Land lines never gave anyone all of these head aches. I wish I had a $20.00 flip phone which I would not worry about it trying to rob me. These big tech companies are 100% not for you! Period!

[@5minuterevolutionary493]

I solve this conundrum by not having any friends, and by using the phone for calling numbers that i look up, like pushing a few buttons, i know it suuuuuucks.

[@Anondady]

Great video this is new to me. Thanks.

[@kathyphillips1272]

We got so used to carrying phone's, so it's just as easy to carry a little black book, although not very handy to make calls on the go...essentially choices & trade off's !

[@dougjohnson4266]

Thanks!

[@NaomiBrockwellTV]

Thanks so much for your support!

[@GTAbestplayer123]

06:08. I actually found out that the contacts that came with my Samsung allowed me to export my contacts with a press of a button. All you have to do is to press the hamburger menu, then press on manage contacts and press on export contacts.

[@jerseyshore7438]

What phone do you have

[@GTAbestplayer123]

@@jerseyshore7438 galaxy z flip 3.

[@GTAbestplayer123]

@@jerseyshore7438 Galaxy Z Flip 3.

[@GTAbestplayer123]

@@jerseyshore7438 Galaxy Z Flip 3.

[@kasimtime8478]

Meehhh at this point why do we even have phones anyways

[@NaomiBrockwellTV]

We can have phones! We just need to stay informed about them, so that we can make better decisions about how we use them :)

[@rayrous8229]

This is an important conversation. Unfortunately much of your dialogue went over my head. Could you do a more comprehensive break down of how these companies and apps take our information?

[@RaoulTeeuwen]

Nice video. Would love to better understand actual dangers in sharing contacts: maybe i missed them, but the video seems to warn about possible dangers, but not how likely they are and how exactly they would instantiate. Also, i would like to know what i will miss when i limit syncing and acces to contacts.

[@NaomiBrockwellTV]

That it's not your private information that you're sharing, it's someone else's, and they might have a higher threat model than you. People are targeted all the time for different reasons. Limiting syncing stops syncing across devices (minus) but stops servers getting and potentially sharing your contacts' personal info (plus)

[@zine_eddinex24]

good keep up 🆙

[@DavidHanniganJr]

Analytics!

[@redbakery8943]

Fortunately iOS 18 now has the ability to only share selected contacts to an app rather than the full list. I don't know why it took this long to implement, but better late than never!

[@redbakery8943]

@@peyofox I already have iOS 18 on my phone and can select which contacts I want to share to apps.

[@lussor1]

GrapheneOS already have this

[@NaomiBrockwellTV]

Yeah this is great news

[@johnnybgood3909]

ive just added you to my phone contact list

[@RaindoggTV]

Yeah, forget all that. I rather not call the person. With that said, I never share my contact list when an app asks.

[@Southtxrunningwalkers]

Neighbor Stroud I already knew that..

[@nstudynd9484]

Can you make a video regarding Calendar platform alternatives. I know that Proton Calendar exists, but it has limitations in its' free version.

[@ricoma6037]

It's important to make up names, addresses, phone numbers,.... Just so the database can't fully be trusted. 😅

[@ricoma6037]

For instance, I put Naomi's made-up information in my phone just for this reason. :-)

[@SuarSatya]

Graphene OS only for Pixel phone.

[@zan3do]

Also, could you please make a video on getting pawnd? Thanks

[@juxt]

Do you know about foss-ify apps?

[@lussor1]

Does not matter the app

[@notafbihoneypot8487]

I self host it on etesync, end to end encrypted local and I setup contact scope on GOS And always refuse access when asked

[@TomNook.]

There's great irony in having the most private solution on hardware made by Google...some might say trolling.

[@RedivaDantes]

Hi Naomi, thanks for your tips! Quick question: what can we do if we have a new phone with a commercial OS and don't want to lose our European warranty? I was thinking of switching on Graphene or to install Magisk at least, but I don't want to lose the warrant doing that :( Is there some solution? I'm already switching slowly on FOSS apps to reduce my data leaks but I feel that doing this on a Xiaomi Redmi with HyperOS (MIUI) device isn't enough.

[@kloassie]

To bad there're still no Graphene phone's on the market that haven't voided the phone's warranty 😑

[@mrcvry]

No problem! You can install android again if you have to send it in for repairs.

[@protonme]

Not long ago? You've been making these privacy-focused videos for quite some time now, so it's hard to believe that someone asked you not to put their information in your contacts list, and you found that strange, considering you routinely talk about how Google and Apple are not privacy-focused.

[@tomRX4878]

So I am doomed on my iPhone. I use Proton contacts but I need to put at least the phone number into Apples contacts app. So I can see who is calling me and call my contacts. 😞

[@zenASDF]

What do I do if my phone is being remotely controlled? Can they basically see everything??

[@armandogomez7765]

I want you opinion on b- folder. Non cloud base.

[@bubbles.stu26]

Does it have to be the pro version? This google account doesn't have my payment info and I want it to stay that way. Downloading F-droid properly is too much tech for me at my level of knowing practically nothing about tech and then I guess I have to download Aurora too. Not ready, I prefer baby steps, but want to stop using google contacts.

[@DigiSecure]

What about sync to you own instance of nextcloud or as you suggested proton mail

[@invisableobserver]

I'd ask you not to store my info in your phone or computer also. I write my contacts on a sheet of paper as I have always done, which helps me to memorize them, and I am not so gullible to use toxic cell phones; this is the most private way. Most people are so full of pride, narcissism, greed & lust that they are not worth talking with anyway. I really miss public phone booths that did not track & record us.

[@lyianx]

Wish Graphine was an option for me. But they apparently do not develop it for higher end Samsung phones.

[@mrcvry]

They are not available for shamesung. They don‘t support installing other OS. Only Pixels other the same hardware security like the iPhone.

[@rakaorion]

Some apps can't be installed without giving it access to your contact list, even if your contact list has nothing to do with the function and operation of the app.

[@l0gic23]

Skip the app and tell the devs why

[@lussor1]

Negative review​@@l0gic23

[@mrcvry]

They know why but most people don‘t care. (Typo corrected)

[@padraigr9305]

On my pixel phone there is a setting to store contacts on the phone only.

[@HenriqueCarrega]

any app on ios you recomend ?

[@omar-p7w5j]

Simple Apps are not safe anymore cuz the dev sold to israeli company

[@janekkulow4108]

Wow, seriously?

[@Quietverszenti-kl6ij]

❤

[@W3MECHANICS]

What about other people who are going to save my number to their phone?

[@muddkipp_1]

Why does my calculator need access 😂

[@diggingattycho7908]

Somebody is benefiting from my contact list. I do not receive a text or call from any of them. I've been thinking of the ultimate privacy move, getting rid of my phone.

[@slow-connectiondj7438]

How bad is it to store my contacts on a NAS drive using DAVx5?

[@erik7426-cn1ky]

It seems all of the apps mentioned are Android only. Are there no iOS contacts apps that offer similar security?

[@davidbraddock_us]

Pixel Fold too?

[@JeffreyBodenstein]

My contacts are only sync on my private NAS and never iCloud or Google plus I personally never give apps permission to read contacts..

[@snailspace1269]

Hmmmm.... Little Black Book v4.6

[@AL-ku1zq]

Have you ever tried a Linux phone? For those of us whom use our phones almost solely for phone calls and texting I'd love to know how well they work. I suspect you could still use a Maps function while driving unfamiliar locations, as well. Does anyone here in the comments have experience with Linux phones?

[@geirsvarsson8585]

Thank you!

[@clayton7825]

Wish I could say that I have. I was looking forward to Ubuntu phone the phone desktop integration seems like it was going to be slick. I was sad to see that it flopped.

[@frequentlycynical642]

Another reason to bemoan the death of Nokia/Symbian/Windows Phone. RIP. As much as everyone loves to hate on MS, WP was non-intrusive (ads! ads! ads!) and to my pretty extensive experience and knowledge, didn't record locations, texts, conversations, or contacts. I hate my Android, a phone of necessity due to the end of WP 3G services. Fucking intrusive. Every day I started getting text messages once a day telling me I should buy or download a game on the Galaxy store. I'll stop there. My pulse rate is going up.

[@RhysGaiam]

Nice video, but proton mail is garbage!

[@TheKingsComingAlefTav]

IS ANYBODY GOING TO DO... The unplugged phone versus GrapheneOS

[@kravgirl7]

only have say 60 contacts- and each one has fake name.. if I know their favorite movie theme use it for name and ringtone. Even if AI, cell ph company etc try read contacts it will not be real names... love causing any kind of hassle can for these unelected techno criminals.

[@Skobeloff...]

apple and google already have those contact details since basically everyone uses apple and google operating systems...

[@mariabotelho1242]

Are graphene phones sold in Canada?

[@buddhafx5973]

You buy yourself a google pixel phone and then install graphene os by yourself.

[@Zeitgeistpionier]

Don't send her a picture, wearing her shirt and if you buy it, buy it only private in a real physical store and pay with real money and not with your card or some other digital way. And never write comments below youtube-videos and don't… I think, most people know what they shouldn't do… 😉

[@TheForceHungerGames]

😂😂😂 and all social media which’s ask your contact’s to make your network

[@zan3do]

How do I keep my email address from getting pawnd???

[@effsixteenblock50]

"Pawned"? People pawn things at pawn shops. What are you on about?

[@Southtxrunningwalkers]

Sarah Obrian the real name

[@dianneevans5492]

Calyx vs. Graphene?

[@lussor1]

Graph >>>>

[@blueyhis.zarsoff1147]

Dont be logged into google on a samsung phone Dont add a contact when logged in to google and they will remove it when you log out

[@davesup5059]

What's the point of having a phone then. Your never going to protect all your info so why bother. If you don't want your info out there, live off grid