Aug 11, 2021 10:00:00

Android-based open source OS 'Calyx OS' that emphasizes privacy and security

CalyxOS is an Android-based mobile OS built with

'privacy by design ' that takes privacy into consideration throughout the engineering process to meet the needs of human rights activists, journalists, lawyers, political activists, and more. CalyxOS is open source developed by the Calyx Institute , a non-profit organization.

CalyxOS
https://calyxos.org/

CalyxOS · GitLab
https://gitlab.com/CalyxOS

The feature of CalyxOS is the high security of the network by 'privacy by design'. CalyxOS has a firewall called 'Datura Firewall'. This Datura firewall gives you fine-grained control over network access on a per-app basis, such as limiting its traffic based on specified inbound and outbound network interfaces, blocking background bandwidth communication, and more. In addition, VPN connection using The Calyx Institute and Riseup VPN , and Tor connection are also possible.

And in Calyx OS, a feature called 'microG' replaces some of the features of Google Play's services while maintaining anonymity and privacy.

For example, the location information service uses 'Mozilla Location Service (MLS)' that identifies the location information of the device from Bluetooth beacons, cell towers, Wi-Fi access points, etc. However, installing microG is optional. The app will be distributed on platforms such as F-Droid and Aurora OSS.

In addition, privacy settings allow you to see which apps are requesting which permissions. In addition, the 'panic button' function allows the user to forcibly uninstall any app. You can also use a feature called 'Confidential Numbers' to prevent your device from recording or recording calls to helplines such as domestic violence, child abuse, and suicide hotlines.

It is compatible with Signal, an encrypted communication application, as standard, and it is also possible to make encrypted calls and send text messages. In addition, OpenPGP encrypted email exchange using

OpenKeychain and the email client K-9 Mail is supported as standard.

The default browser is the DuckDuckGo browser . Of course, the search engine is also DuckDuckGo, and ad trackers are also blocked. In addition, Tor Browser is also installed, and you can browse the Internet with a Tor connection.

CalyxOS updates its security information monthly with a wireless connection, but it also has the ability to automatically turn off Wi-Fi and Bluetooth when the device isn't in use. It also increases the security of the device by blocking unknown USB devices.

At the time of writing the article, the devices that can install the stable version of Calyx OS are Pixel 2 or later Pixel series and Xiaomi Mi A2. In addition, language translation varies from country to country, and the progress of Japanese translation is 36% at the time of writing the article.