[PRIVACY] WARNING: Dolphin's collection of your browsing history

[Rico ANDROID]

While I agree with your point and I'm just as bitter as you are about Google turning into a dictator, at least with the big guys like Google, Microsoft or Apple you know what to expect - or at least we think we know, plus there is NOTHING we can do to prevent it anyways. Unfortunately you cannot say the same thing about smaller guys and Dolphin is no exception (MoboTap, the Chinese developer of Dolphin has sold 51% stake to ChangYou, a large Chinese gaming company). Furthermore, stealing emails is Dolphin's very recent implementation and I don't thing is a coincidence the fact that the company got more aggressive/intrusive once they've changed ownership. I think from this point it'll get much more uglier and unfortunately even other big names like Samsung are interested in playing along this dirty game.

No biggie, you're just getting closer and closer to being the actors in our "hunger games".

Verrrry true, @nacos !

 

[Kore7]

What browser do people use instead?

Since the consensus is that Dolphin is an inherent privacy nightmare, what are people using instead? (And why do so many of you still use Dolphin??)

Boat Browser phones home URLs to umeng.com.

Maxthon Browser phones home URLs to maxthon.com.

Chrome Browser logs who-knows-what back to Google.

These pings can be blocked in hosts files if they're discovered, but who knows what else they're doing behind our backs. Have privacy-conscious people settled on a clean alternative? (Especially since, starting in KitKat, webkit has been replaced with Chrome's webview...with all that implies.)

Are Firefox and Opera the only options left for privacy-conscious users now?

 

[nacos]

In my opinion Opera is the next best browser however I'm still using Dolphin (recognizing that it remains the best despite being one of the most intrusive), while I keep it "on a short leash" by tempering its intrusiveness with XPoped. On the other hand it would be unfair not to recognize that lately they've improved a bit on privacy by responding to many users' requests and complaints.

 

[JaySee5]

I use Dolphin for everyday browsing and Firefox for anything sensitive/private.

 

[Slickone_]

Firefox or Pale Moon.

 

[Kore7]

In my opinion Opera is the next best browser however I'm still using Dolphin (recognizing that it remains the best despite being one of the most intrusive), while I keep it "on a short leash" by tempering its intrusiveness with XPoped. On the other hand it would be unfair not to recognize that lately they've improved a bit on privacy by responding to many users' requests.

If I recall correctly, the main step Dolphin took (apart from publicly apologizing) was to encrypt the sensitive data first before uploading it. Now that we can't see what's being uploaded, it could be a step backwards for privacy, for all anyone knows. But correct me if I'm wrong.

I use Xposed too, but I'm not sure it helps in this case.

I use Dolphin for everyday browsing and Firefox for anything sensitive/private.

I do something similar. I also wrote a custom root script that automatically flushes every internal file and database in the "sensitive" app so literally no scrap of browsing data is left after I'm done. It's the closest I've come to a sandboxed browser solution for my phone.

 

[rj5674]

I do something similar. I also wrote a custom root script that automatically flushes every internal file and database in the "sensitive" app so literally no scrap of browsing data is left after I'm done. It's the closest I've come to a sandboxed browser solution for my phone.

Sounds nice. Where can we get that? Is it available on XDA?

Sent from my SCH-I545

 

[nacos]

If I recall correctly, the main step Dolphin took (apart from publicly apologizing) was to encrypt the sensitive data first before uploading it. Now that we can't see what's being uploaded, it could be a step backwards for privacy, for all anyone knows. But correct me if I'm wrong.

I use Xposed too, but I'm not sure it helps in this case.


I do something similar. I also wrote a custom root script that automatically flushes every internal file and database in the "sensitive" app so literally no scrap of browsing data is left after I'm done. It's the closest I've come to a sandboxed browser solution for my phone.

There is only so much one can do to protect oneself without breaking the normal functionality of an app. In Dolphin's case that's how I use XPrivacy:
- limited access to phone's accounts
- no access to calendar
- no access to contacts
- no access to emails
- no access to media
- no access to messages
- limited network access
- no access to read phone state at all (all the device's ID are therefore inaccessible)
- no SU access (this is Dolphin's most intrusive permission request - a backdoor to unlimited access to your phone)

As far as browsing data (and data collection generally speaking) I would be much more worried about Google than Dolphin. (By the way, Google will soon be offering the possibility of paying your bills directly from your gmail account - aren't you thrilled???)

Opera offers the best in rendering engine, text reflow and video playback (using their proprietary player). However with Opera has always been one step back - two steps forward. Last example: while they've recently (finally) implemented a decent way to sync bookmarks, after the update the browser also became occasionally unresponsive (jittery) and clearly less fluid. Go figure!
Firefox seems to always be finding weird ways of doing stuff and I believe they rely way too much on add-ons for basics, but the reason I stay away from Firefox mobile is their rendering engine which is plain bad - a deal breaker for me despite the fact that I have always been using Firefox desktop.
Security wise, Opera and Firefox are by far the safest.

On another note (but related) I would strongly recommend installing Clueful Privacy Advisor. It's a (free) little security app from Bitdefender, offering some very interesting insights about the installed apps.

Just food for thought.

 

[DGL2033]

Since the consensus is that Dolphin is an inherent privacy nightmare, what are people using instead? (And why do so many of you still use Dolphin??)

Boat Browser phones home URLs to umeng.com.

Maxthon Browser phones home URLs to maxthon.com.

Chrome Browser logs who-knows-what back to Google.

These pings can be blocked in hosts files if they're discovered, but who knows what else they're doing behind our backs. Have privacy-conscious people settled on a clean alternative? (Especially since, starting in KitKat, webkit has been replaced with Chrome's webview...with all that implies.)

Are Firefox and Opera the only options left for privacy-conscious users now?

Hi,
There are several good new browser's that block ads & trackers. I know I'm late to this thread, but figured I would add some helpful information.

First off, I came here from a link on Naked Browsers playstore page (the pro version is $5 but worth it) but the free version is only for people to get used to it (no ads or tracking, or any privacy invasion at all) . This developer you may know, but if not, you should. This guy answer's every review, good or bad, but people rave about his privacy browser. He used to use Dolphin but was tee'd off about the issue discussed here. So that's one.
Obviously Firefox is tops, IMHO. But a new browser developed by a Co-founder of Firefox , Named "Brave" was combined with the former Link Bubble browser. Tons of functionality, and blocks ads and trackers too (free, and privacy conscious,he uses a similar business model to Adblock Plus, but is very protective of users) see Brave.com for a full description. Adblock Plus has a stand alone browser (which means SOME ads are displayed), as does Ghostery (but they do sell some data to advertisers) Forget about Opera, as they sold out to a Chinese conglomerate, headed by Qihoo 360. The sale is not complete, but they bought everything that's related to all browsers, including the new VPN software. And as always, Tor has Orfox browser used with Orbot by default, but don't plan on using for any social media, and possibly other sites requiring sign ins.

I hope someone, some day finds this post helpful.

---------- Post added at 06:30 AM ---------- Previous post was at 05:37 AM ----------

To all,

And finally, if anyone would like to know more about privacy issues, I would be glad to help out. But I leave this thread with one very good recommendation. A free adblocker, that blocks tracking to, and works globally on Non-Rooted phones. Visit https://block-this.com/ and there are more threads here at xda developers. Also, there is a forum, and very important, the apk. is listed on GitHub. This app works with just about any app or browser you have, that displays ads. Except Twitter's new mobile feed, but I really don't mind how they have done it within the feed. Facebook is moving towards the same thing. But Chrome, almost all ads disappear, and banners are blank,etc. The developer built this for his own use,and decided to share. You can visit his personal website to gain more insight, here : https://savageorgiev.com/

 

[finneko]

I still use Dolphin (and Firefox too). I have set some blockings on hosts file but I really do not care really much if Dolphin see what news site and forums I read. Yeah Yada yada privacy and so on.

 

[jerryn70]

Which is the best safe browser ?

 

[DGL2033]

Since the consensus is that Dolphin is an inherent privacy nightmare, what are people using instead? (And why do so many of you still use Dolphin??)

Boat Browser phones home URLs to umeng.com.

Maxthon Browser phones home URLs to maxthon.com.

Chrome Browser logs who-knows-what back to Google.

These pings can be blocked in hosts files if they're discovered, but who knows what else they're doing behind our backs. Have privacy-conscious people settled on a clean alternative? (Especially since, starting in KitKat, webkit has been replaced with Chrome's webview...with all that implies.)

Are Firefox and Opera the only options left for privacy-conscious users now?

Hi, in case you missed it, this recent addition to playstore is hands down the safest, most privacy oriented, with the most control of any browser yet to be offered in playstore.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.brave.browser

This is not the version previously combined with linkbubble browser, but a completely new version offered in addition to that one. This new version is based on Chrome, but is far superior. The individual control of websites is fabulous. You have to experience it to believe it. Others with Adblock capabilities are not this comprehensive. And the simplicity, intuitiveness is what has been lacking in other browsers.

 

[IronTechmonkey]

Hi, in case you missed it, this recent addition to playstore is hands down the safest, most privacy oriented, with the most control of any browser yet to be offered in playstore.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.brave.browser

This is not the version previously combined with linkbubble browser, but a completely new version offered in addition to that one. This new version is based on Chrome, but is far superior. The individual control of websites is fabulous. You have to experience it to believe it. Others with Adblock capabilities are not this comprehensive. And the simplicity, intuitiveness is what has been lacking in other browsers.

Cough. What a sales pitch, advertising full of general platitudes. Dolphin's past and repeated "crimes" are too serious to forgive that easily and nothing you've said speaks to those serious things such as routing lists of our visited web through non encrypted servers in China. No trust remains after that.

 

[DGL2033]

I was replying to the guy I quoted, when he asked if Firefox and Opera were the only choices left. Previously I had written about Braves linkbubble browser, but this new one is only a few months old. And besides, can I help I like it

 

[IronTechmonkey]

I was replying to the guy I quoted, when he asked if Firefox and Opera were the only choices left. Previously I had written about Braves linkbubble browser, but this new one is only a few months old. And besides, can I help I like it

Derp. I stand corrected and apologize. I thought you were referring to Dolphin, Thanks for clarifying.

 

[anass20]

is there any word on miren browser?

Does this apply to other applications What happens when uninstalling?