Member Avatar for RikTelner

I've seen latest specs of Google Nexus 6, it's specs are quite good, given it's better than my laptop (that's why I'm changing my laptop soon). Like about a year ago, there was this scandal of NSA collecting data from Microsoft, Apple, Yahoo and Google. Well, the "mobile" Nexus is "made" by Google. I heard that you can install own operating system in them by ARM(?) files. But it's still Google's phone, and they still are potental candidates to have spyware installed into firmware of the mobile. Question is, should I buy this "gadget", install Linux on it, and feel as safe as on my laptop, or I should just forget it because regardless OS, they'll still be able to see whatever I'm doing?

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Short answer for : there’s no credible public evidence that Google shipped the Nexus 6 with a built‑in “spyware” implant in its firmware. The Snowden/PRISM disclosures were about server and network collection and about nation‑state access to infrastructure — not an exposed, proven Google firmware backdoor on retail Nexus phones. Targeted firmware or modem implants do exist as a class of threat, but they’re different (and rarer) than the bulk‑collection stories. ()

What you can do yourself: Nexus devices historically let you unlock the bootloader and flash factory or custom images, and Google publishes those factory images and flashing tools. Unlocking and flashing replaces Android on the application/OS side, but it does not magically make the device “fully auditable” — many low‑level components (modem/baseband, some blobs) remain proprietary and can still run closed firmware. Unlocking also wipes user data and affects verified‑boot behavior, so treat it carefully. (archive.ph)

Why that matters: the modem/baseband and some carrier/device management facilities are a realistic attack surface — researchers have demonstrated exploits and dangerous management‑tool weaknesses, and nation‑state actors have targeted mobile infrastructure. In practice, installing Lineage/Ubuntu or “Linux on ARM” changes the user environment but usually not the modem code that talks to cell towers. If your threat model is “Google/NSA can see everything,” remember the modem and network path are where a very capable attacker would look first. (wired.com)

Practical takeaway and a short checklist: if you want more isolation than stock Android, prefer hardware with good alternate‑OS support and an active privacy project (GrapheneOS / CalyxOS on modern Pixel hardware are the usual recommendations), avoid carrier‑locked models, and accept that truly high‑risk targets need non‑consumer solutions (specialized hardware, air‑gaps, vetted supply chains). If you still try a Nexus 6: back up, enable Developer options, boot to fastboot and follow the official unlock/flash steps (example commands below), and remember that flashing won’t change the baseband blobs unless the vendor images include them.

adb reboot bootloader
fastboot oem unlock        # older Nexus
# or
fastboot flashing unlock  # newer devices

For specifics on factory images, verified boot, and privacy‑focused ROMs see the official docs and projects referenced above. (archive.ph)

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Member Avatar for Kelly Burby

Well, yes you are a little correct over this one Nexus 6 specs are like as powerful as a mini laptop ! But I think that you are going to miss your laptop still ! anyway what more you can add up over here's anything which has been shared online is never safe its only like we put a number of locks above then and by the time someone tries breaking it the use of that information is useless! So, I don't think that you shoudl think much about the security thing as also I have been hearing that the encryption with Lollipop running over Nexus 6 is something I would say much more secure.

Member Avatar for RikTelner

But I think that you are going to miss your laptop still !

I don't plan to use it to replace a laptop. I plan to use it to replace current mobile and tablet.

which has been shared online is never safe its only like we put a number of locks above then and by the time someone tries breaking it the use of that information is useless!

Discrete Logarhytm?

So, I don't think that you shoudl think much about the security thing as also I have been hearing that the encryption with Lollipop running over Nexus 6 is something I would say much more secure.

Lolipop is version of Android, which is (so far as I know) provided by Google. Additionally I said:

should I buy this "gadget", install Linux on it, and feel as safe as on my laptop

Did you even pay attention to the question, or you just read the title and thought, "hey, lets post the answer" with hope it's somehow related? I'm not afraid of safety protecting me from the world, I'm afraid of safety protecting me from Google > NSA.

I don't care about safety between me and the world. I care about solid wall between me and Google (NSA).

Edited by RikTelner
Member Avatar for RobertHDD

Id rather stay VISTA and go silent for two years without nothing but Minecraft thats my strategy

Member Avatar for RobertHDD

But I also say that google has been playing up maybe googles still whinging what they done to microsoft

Member Avatar for RikTelner

Id rather stay VISTA and go silent for two years without nothing but Minecraft thats my strategy

Minecraft has been bought by Microsoft from Mojang.

Member Avatar for RobertHDD

I know Riktelner

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