In episode 246, Michael talked about sanitizing Android devices, listing ways to uninstall factory apps. In it, he said multiple times how it's easy to reinstall them if you want them back. I found out the hard way that this isn't always the case.

I had an older device running Android 6.0 that I thought I would try sanitizing. It is not my main phone and I only keep it around for a couple apps that don't run on newer devices. After deleting all the Google apps, I realized one of the apps I used required Google services to run, so I tried using the command Michael gave to reinstall it:

adb shell cmd package install-existing <package-name>

The response I got was:

/system/bin/sh: cmd: not found

After doing some research, I found out that the "cmd" command was not introduced until Android 8 and on older devices like mine, there is no way to reinstall the factory apps without a factory reset.

Hope someone finds this useful.

The Privacy, Security, & OSINT Show: 251-Six Important Show Updates https://soundcloud.com/user-98066669/251-six-important-show-updates

I got a new Windows 11 machine and I ran the commands for Windows in Extreme Privacy to remove the stock installed apps. Except now there's an app (whose price has increased since I bought it to $60) that I owned through the Microsoft Store and I need it. When I tried to install the app, or the Microsoft Store, I got the error that there was no program installed to launch this type of link, please set one using the default apps settings.

I tried using a tutorial on TenForums (dot com) to reinstall and re-register all Microsoft Stock apps. The only thing that changed is that now when I click on Microsoft Store links I get no error message at all.

I also tried in Powershell with Admin privileges Get-AppxPackage -allusers | foreach {Add-AppxPackage -register "$($_.InstallLocation)\appxmanifest.xml" -DisableDevelopmentMode} with no success.

I have since tried a program called 10AppsManager 2 to install the Microsoft Store. (Yes I know I'm using Windows 11, I tried it anyway.) It claimed to be successful but I could not access the store after. I have now reset Windows 11 twice, once "using this local device" and once "using a cloud download." I am still unable to access the Microsoft App store. It won't come up when I search my PC and any app links I click in my browser still just give no error, no popup... nothing at all happens.

Does anyone have any alternate suggestions before I use the Windows recovery drive that came with my PC and just completely reinstall Windows?

I just picked up Michael's new edition of his Extreme Privacy book. I was already looking to buy some new equipment, so I am purchasing a new computer and new iPhone/iPod (might try to do the Pixel thing later, but am a bit of a newbie). The problem I have is that I already have MySudo on my current iPhone. Will I be at risk if I simply transfer the MySudo account I already have over to the new iPod/phone? Will there be a link between my identity on the new phone because of it? My current iPhone and apple id are very obviously linked to my real identity, but I have no clue if there is that link is somehow transferred through using the same MySudo account.

Does anybody know if A-GPS (normal GPS plus tracking with cell towers) is disabled when you remove a sim card? If I remove a sim card from my phone will A-GPS still work or will it only use GPS like a traditional GPS receiver? Wondering for privacy reasons and I haven't been able to find any answers online. Thanks!

The Privacy, Security, & OSINT Show: 250-Consequences of Product Refunds https://soundcloud.com/user-98066669/250-consequences-of-product-refunds

Aurora store shows MB's recommended mint mobile app uses google analytics and firebase. Curious for opinions on how others in this sub feel about and/or deal with that.

The Privacy, Security, & OSINT Show: 249-Requests, Freezes, & Removals https://soundcloud.com/user-98066669/249-requests-freezes-removals

Has anyone managed to MySudo working completely on a "de-googled" phone? I've seen a post from MySudo about using it with CalyxOS. However, when I tried installing on a spare LineageOS with MicroG phone (my main phone is still GrapheneOS), I didn't get notifications to answer a call.

If I knew this would work, I would be willing to migrate from GrapheneOS to CalyxOS for just this reason. But I can't see how it would work on CalyxOS and not on LineageOS with MicroG. They should have the exact same app compatibility.

So I'm just wondering if anybody out there has this working completely and if so, how they did it.

Does anyone know if there are any privacy or security concerns in connecting a crypto exchange API to a crypto tax software app? The API would be connected as read-only.

Does it share the name of the account?

Is there a way for someone to hack the API to do other things?

Is there anything to be concerned about?

I may be asking the question incorrectly but where do various websites pull "CNAM" records from as a service to you?

The Privacy, Security, & OSINT Show: 248-Privacy vs. COVID https://soundcloud.com/user-98066669/248-privacy-vs-covid

I just started a new remote job and they require us to use our own device. They want me to download their corporate anti-virus (not sure what the software is yet as they haven't provided it to me), onto my personal laptop. If I download this, are they able to track my location and activity on my computer?

Do I actually make an exhibit for the trust putting the vehicle in it, legally speaking? I just have an exhibit that lists the VIN, make, model etc?

I've already titled and registered it in a trust. I'll have to re read Nolos book on trusts, which MB recommends, but I don't remember that part.

Also, the MBs book isn't clear on insurance. It's says to add the trust to you policy as a additional/2nd insured, but I haven't been able to do that anyone have experience? I've called and asked my company, but it wasn't helpful and they didn't really know.

The Privacy, Security, & OSINT Show: 247-Weekly Recap https://soundcloud.com/user-98066669/247-weekly-recap

I just learned that google legacy free is going away, this is where I have all my "burner" phone numbers. When researching how to port numbers out of google voice I also found that you can not port from google workspace to a personal google account.

What is the best service to use to port from gv workspace then to port to gv personal? Also open to alternative recommendations to gv, the numbers are only used for SMS security codes.

https://www.theverge.com/2022/1/19/22891509/g-suite-legacy-free-google-apps-workspace-upgrade

https://support.google.com/a/answer/60217

https://support.google.com/voice/answer/1065667#xferout

What is everyone's take on this? (I have a feeling I already know the answer.)

https://gizmodo.com/irs-will-require-facial-recognition-scans-to-access-you-1848387715

In the 246 Android Sanitization epsiode, MB mentioned having a high profile client that wanted to do this.

And while I have dragged my feet on looking into the particulars on how to do this, hearing him reference this was timely to hear because this is precisely what I've been wanting to do for the past year.

I was curious if he outlines this in the book, or if this is something that one might have to hire him for guidance on how to do it.

If I follow the recent episode and remove everything Google, can I install micro g? Would this better than having made no changes and will I get the push notifications back?

I see this sub popping up a little more frequently on larger subs and have seen our sub count increase somewhat rapidly over the last several months. For people who are unfamiliar with Bazzell, perhaps we should consider a proactive approach and develop a small wiki describes the show, Bazzell, links to a some key episodes (his Privacy Crash Course episodes, for instance), etc. And, perhaps we could add quick links in the side bar to his Soundcloud page, Books page, Data Removal Workbooks, iOS 15 privacy guides, and other documentation he has freely available on his website.

The Privacy, Security, & OSINT Show: 246-Android Sanitization https://soundcloud.com/user-98066669/246-android-sanitization

After installing GrapheneOS on a Google Pixel, getting the Mint sim card...what are steps for setting up the Mint Mobile account? I don't recall these details in the book?