Braxphone & iodeOS vs. GrapheneOS: A Privacy-Focused Analysis of De-Googled Phones
If you're considering purchasing a Braxphone or already own one, it's important to review some critical findings about the operating system it uses, iodeOS, and the broader implications for privacy and security. Our investigation highlights key concerns that every privacy-conscious individual should be aware of, alongside why GrapheneOS stands out as a more secure and reliable option.
🔍 Key Findings on iodeOS
What is iodeOS?
iodeOS is a fork of LineageOS, which is a popular open-source Android-based operating system with a healthy and active community. LineageOS itself benefits from a large number of contributors and regular updates, making it a solid base for customization.
How is iodeOS Maintained?
Unlike LineageOS, iodeOS is hosted on GitLab with significantly fewer contributors. Our research shows:
- The core framework repository has not been updated in over five months.
- There are only two contributors actively maintaining the framework.
Why is this important?
With such limited oversight, it’s challenging to ensure that iodeOS keeps pace with critical security updates or robust quality assurance standards.
Concerning Historical Issues
Until recently, iodeOS allowed users to disable the VPN directly from the Quick Settings panel without unlocking the phone—a potential privacy risk. This issue was only resolved six months ago, raising questions about the responsiveness of their development process.
You can review their GitLab repository and commit history here: iodeOS Framework GitLab
📱 LineageOS: The Parent OS
While iodeOS inherits its base from LineageOS, we found several areas where LineageOS itself is still addressing foundational security challenges. Examples include:
1. Restricting Directory Access
A patch to limit access to sensitive directories (Android/data, Android/obb) was implemented only a few months ago.
What’s the issue?
Think of your phone like a house with different rooms (directories). Some of these rooms store important things, like app data (Android/data) or files related to games and apps (Android/obb). Before this patch, apps could walk into these rooms without much restriction, even if they didn’t need to.
Why is this important?
If a bad app could sneak into these rooms, it might read or mess with sensitive information stored there. Limiting access ensures only the right apps with proper permissions can access these rooms, keeping your data safer.
2. Clipboard Protection
Updates to block clipboard access while a device is locked were also recent additions.
What’s the issue?
The clipboard is like a temporary sticky note for your phone—it holds the text or images you copy. Imagine copying a password or sensitive information, and while your phone is locked, an app could still peek at it.
Why is this important?
Without this protection, malicious apps could steal what you’ve copied, like passwords or private messages, even while your phone is locked. Blocking access to the clipboard when your phone is locked keeps your sensitive information out of reach.
Additionally, LineageOS does not appear to be as well-maintained as one might expect. Reviewing the
In contrast, GrapheneOS’s first page of commits only goes back one week, with the latest update being as recent as today. This highlights the proactive and rapid development approach taken by GrapheneOS.
Review
These updates demonstrate that even mature projects like LineageOS continue to work on resolving fundamental security issues. However, the slower pace of updates and delays in addressing vulnerabilities can cascade down to forks like iodeOS, compounding potential risks for users.
🛡 GrapheneOS: Setting the Gold Standard
In contrast to the concerns with LineageOS and its forks, GrapheneOS is a prime example of proactive security and privacy innovation. Here’s why:
1. Commit Activity
GrapheneOS consistently pushes updates, with an active first-page commit history from just the past week. This contrasts sharply with LineageOS, where the first page of commits stretches back months.
2. Security Leadership
GrapheneOS is 13,200 commits ahead of AOSP (Android’s base framework), showcasing its pioneering efforts in security and usability enhancements.
What is AOSP?
AOSP (Android Open Source Project) is the foundation of all Android systems. Think of it as the "barebones" version of Android that manufacturers like Samsung or custom systems like LineageOS and GrapheneOS build on top of. While it provides a solid starting point, AOSP doesn’t include advanced security features or regular fixes for newer vulnerabilities.
3. Why Being 13,200 Commits Ahead Matters
GrapheneOS has made 13,200 improvements (called "commits") beyond what AOSP offers. This means:
- Advanced Security: GrapheneOS isn’t just waiting for AOSP to fix issues—it’s proactively building more secure features.
- Faster Updates: Users benefit from better protection against emerging threats, while AOSP might take longer to address them.
- Usability Enhancements: GrapheneOS pioneers features to make devices both safer and easier to use, staying ahead of other systems.
You can explore GrapheneOS’s ongoing work here: GrapheneOS Commit History.
In simple terms: Being ahead of AOSP means GrapheneOS is a leader in privacy and security, rather than just following the basics.
🤔 What This Means for Braxphone Users
The Braxphone, marketed as a privacy-focused smartphone, runs iodeOS. Based on our findings, this raises several concerns:
1. Maintenance
iodeOS shows minimal active development, with its core framework repository untouched for over five months.
2. Security Gaps
Historical issues, like the ability to disable the VPN without unlocking the device, highlight lapses in privacy safeguards.
3. Inherited Risks
iodeOS inherits its foundation from LineageOS, which itself has a slower development pace and continues to address basic security challenges. Any vulnerabilities in LineageOS are passed down to iodeOS, compounding risks for users.
✅ What You Can Do
1. Ask Questions
If you own a Braxphone or are thinking of buying one, engage with the iodeOS and Braxphone communities. Ask about their maintenance practices, the number of active developers, and how quickly they address known security vulnerabilities.
2. Consider Alternatives
For those who prioritize privacy and security, explore options like GrapheneOS, which leads in proactive security updates and innovation.
3. Stay Informed
Regularly check the development activity and security practices of the systems you rely on. A vibrant, well-maintained development community ensures timely fixes and reliable protection against emerging threats.
Conclusion
As privacy advocates, we believe that everyone deserves access to secure and well-maintained tools. By highlighting these findings, we aim to empower users to make informed decisions and encourage developers to prioritize regular updates and thorough security reviews.
For those committed to the highest standards of privacy, GrapheneOS remains the benchmark. It’s not just about keeping up with security—it’s about staying ahead.
