The only reason it’s like that is because devices come preinstalled with Windows. I would love if we had the Linux option that makes the device cost less
If they transparently inform buyers about the account requirement and what that means, then they have done their duty and are compliant, I’d say.
Not that I like that.
But as long as the consumer knows everything they need to know to make an informed decision about the product they’re going to use, it’s all good.
Now, this decision also needs to be voluntary, so if there are some dark patterns or other carefully constructed circumstances bullying the consumer into accepting all the bs, then that would violate the GDPR.
But what is voluntary or not is hard to say, for many products and services. Can be argued either way, and you better believe it will be argued either way.
GrapheneOS seems to be the all out best, from what I can tell. It’s just that their strict requirements needed to achieve this level of privacy and especially security severly limit the selection of devices you can use, which is a bummer.
Signal does in fact distribute an APK that isn’t dependant on Play Services/FCM on their website. Uses a websocket, so not the most elegant way I guess, but oh well.
It’s rather hidden, which I think is disappointing. But it exists. Updates itself, too.
With how much Adobe infects a system, leaving multiple different traces behind even when uninstalled, I think it’s fair to say that Photoshop itself is almost a virus
Genuinely, how can you get rid of all that? How do you even find everything?
The most important part in malware protection is whoever sits in front of the screen. Systems like Android have so many safeguards in place, the only way to get a virus is the user forcing it through themselves, pretty much.