Best mobile phone for those concerned about privacy?

GustyGardenGalaxy

I'm currently thinking of buying a new mobile phone, maybe a smartphone, maybe a "non smartphone" (so basically an older style mobile with buttons and a small display).

I'm very aware about possible invasions of privacy with modern mobiles, particularly things like illicit location tracking, malware that switches on the camera and mic without your knowledge, not being able to fully switch off the phone, etc. While I have "nothing to hide" I don't like the idea of some illicit malware invading my privacy.

Given the above, what is a good mobile phone to buy?

grumbler

GustyGardenGalaxy

Thanks, worth a try for £4.99

WellKnownSid

Apple hardware from the 5s onwards has significantly beefed up security - and they aren't playing ball with Government demands for weaker cryptography either.

That means things like iMessage, etc are secure from MITM attacks, whereas an SMS and all the metadata from your non-smartphone will be served up to whoever wants it - they'll just get it from your provider.

GustyGardenGalaxy

That's useful to know, thanks for that.

Futuristic

WellKnownSid wrote: »

Apple hardware from the 5s onwards has significantly beefed up security - and they aren't playing ball with Government demands for weaker cryptography either.

That means things like iMessage, etc are secure from MITM attacks, whereas an SMS and all the metadata from your non-smartphone will be served up to whoever wants it - they'll just get it from your provider.

It is not phone specific but based on software from iOS 8 upwards there had been previously end user encryption but the key to recover device was stored and now after iOS 8+ the encryption key in case you forget your passcode is not saved at all on the device or to apple so cannot be recovered if you "forget" your pass code.

It's also another reason why you shouldn't use the finger print lock (available on 5s and above) as you can always be forced to unlock your phone with it. You could in certain circumstances have "forgotten" your pass code and thus not being able for someone else to access your phone whilst someone could force your had on the phone.

Recent reference: http://www.macrumors.com/2015/10/20/apple-ios-device-encryption-ios-8/

GustyGardenGalaxy

Cheers for the info and tips, I'll have to start hunting around for a cheap iphone that can use iOS 8 or later.

WellKnownSid

Futuristic wrote: »

It is not phone specific but based on software from iOS 8 upwards there had been previously end user encryption but the key to recover device was stored and now after iOS 8+ the encryption key in case you forget your passcode is not saved at all on the device or to apple so cannot be recovered if you "forget" your pass code.

You're only talking about device unlocking - there are many additional layers of security.

Even if the memory chips are physically unsoldered from an iPhone 5s or above, and transplanted into another - it will be impossible to decrypt their contents because the UIDs and the keys required are fused into the original iPhone's secure enclave during manufacture, the are rendered completely inaccessible.

The secure enclave did not come in until the A7 series processors, which means iPhone 5s and above.

Apple also make a point in saying that the unique IDs and keys are not recorded by Apple and are also not known to any of its suppliers.

WellKnownSid

Interesting comments by Lord Carlisle this morning on R4 - the number of convictions on the basis of cell-site analysis:

http://www.thecellsiteexperts.uk/services/cell-site-analysis/

diamonds

If you want security, Blackberry is the only way to go.

Cycrow

diamonds wrote: »

If you want security, Blackberry is the only way to go.

indeed, QNX/BB10 is the most secure mobile OS out there. Android and iOS just dont compare.

There are a few custom android phones that are pretty secure too, like the Boeing Black (built by blackberry), the BlackPhone and the Blackberry Priv.

Of course a basic non smart phone would not have any kind of location tracking or malware apps for it, as they dont run apps at all, but you would be limited to just a basic phone

It really depends what level of privacy/security you are after and what type of features you want on a phone