Open source mobile operating system /e/ focus on the privacy and security

/e/ is an open source smartphone operating system that focuses on privacy protection. Recently, this privacy-focused smartphone release launched by Gaël Duval announced the first beta release.

Gaël Duval shared with you the goals of this new operating system:

  • be free from Google (no Google services, no Google search, no Google Play store, etc.)
  • be far more respectful of user’s data privacy
  • be attractive enough so that Mom and Dad, children and friends would enjoy using it even if they aren’t technophiles or geeks

/e/

The official said /e/’s goal is to provide an attractive smartphone operating system with better privacy protection. It does not run services with strong data appeals, and it allows both personal and business users to install and use the mainstream applications of their choice.

/e/ Based on LineageOS 14.1, its ROM currently supports Essential Phone, Nexus 4 and 5, as well as multiple models of LG, Samsung, Motorola, Huawei, HTC, LeTV, OnePlus and Xiaomi. Duval said that the number of supported device models would gradually increase in the future if more contributors can help maintain or migrate to a specific model. The ROM also includes a microG that uses the Mozilla geolocation service by default, allowing users to continue to use geolocation without GPS signals.

As for the name of the system, we have said in the previous report that this means the meaning of “my data is my data“. But now Gaël Duval said that the project name had to be changed because the name is not suitable for communication, discussion and search. However, you should wait until the stable release is released.

Gaël Duval also shared the following plans with you:

  • to continue developing towards the first stable v1 /e/ system
  • to complete the application repository and installer
  • to complete the port to LOS15/Oreo and add more devices
  • to improve online services
  • to strengthen the security and privacy features within the mobile OS

The goal is to release a stable v1 /e/ operating system in early 2019.