Technology Cops in this country think everyone using a Google Pixel must be a drug dealer

[Gandalf_The_Grey]

Content source

https://www.androidauthority.com/google-pixel-organized-crime-preferred-phone-3573578/

Police in Spain, specifically in the autonomous region of Catalonia, are very alert when they spot someone using a Google Pixel phone. As weird as it sounds, Pixels are highly preferred by those involved in organized crime, according to the Catalan police.

“Every time we see a Google Pixel, we suspect it might belong to a drug dealer,” said a police official leading the anti-drug operation in Catalonia, as per Xataka Android (machine translated).

But why are Pixels popular among criminals in that region? It really has little to do with how Google makes its phones and everything to do with the open nature of Android, which lets users use alternative operating systems.

Specifically, organized crime members in Catalonia use GrapheneOS, a privacy and security-focused operating system that keeps your data out of Google’s reach. Criminals and gang members in Spain prefer using GrapheneOS on Pixel phones, and there’s a good reason for it. GrapheneOS boasts particularly secure and well-executed full disk and metadata encryption, a security feature exploited by miscreants.

The crew behind GrapheneOS is understandably none too pleased about their good name being dragged through the mud, and members are speaking out about these reports from Spain. Over on X, the official GrapheneOS account posts:

European authoritarians and their enablers in the media are misrepresenting GrapheneOS and even Pixel phones as if they’re something for criminals. GrapheneOS is opposed to the mass surveillance police state these people want to impose on everyone.

Cops in this country think everyone using a Google Pixel must be a drug dealer (Updated)

Pixel phones are criminals' top pick in Spain's Catalonia for their strong security and mod-friendly design.

www.androidauthority.com

 

[KnownStormChaser]

That's odd, and a bit funny. It's almost like saying only good guys can use iPhones... oh wait. Apple won’t let bad guys use iPhones in movies

 

[rashmi]

I bet if you mentioned GrapheneOS to the cops in my country, they'd think it's a new flavor of donut!

 

[bazang]

European authoritarians and their enablers in the media are misrepresenting GrapheneOS and even Pixel phones as if they’re something for criminals. GrapheneOS is opposed to the mass surveillance police state these people want to impose on everyone.

GrapheneOS team is full of left wing radical activists who believe in the illegal drug trade.

 

[[correlate]]

Cops in this country think everyone using a Google Pixel must be a drug dealer (Updated)

Pixel phones are criminals' top pick in Spain's Catalonia for their strong security and mod-friendly design.

www.androidauthority.com

Don't go to Spain with your Google Pixel phone.

I'll try to remember that.

 

[rashmi]

Don't go to Spain with your Google Pixel phone.

With a Pixel phone in your hand... you can roam the streets of Spain feeling as safe as a VIP with elite security at your side!

A clever ad idea for GrapheneOS could be... to showcase how a Pixel phone is the ultimate passport for Spain, offering military-grade security when you're there!

 

[BSONE]

Don't go to Spain with your Google Pixel phone.

There will be a lot of Brits landing in Malaga airport with Pixels for their summer holidays. I dont think that Interpol will be after them. UK customs on the other hand will probably be more interested in the thousaands of cigarettes that many passengers bring back in their luggage.

 

[Digmor Crusher]

Left wanna pay more taxes then fine sell em 1000% taxed drugs and at least the money won't go to criminal organizations

Huh?????

 

[Zero Knowledge]

Again it's a global arms race. The crime phone was a terrible idea, a few developers against 100's of specialized government law enforcement and security? Not going to end well and it didn't.

But did that stop criminals from needing secure comms? No it didn't. So whats the next best thing? GrapheneOS with Signal/Telegram. It's as good as you can get at the moment

Until you actually deal with social inequality, poverty and social disadvantage then all crime including cyber crime will continue to be a problem in society.

 

[oldschool]

GrapheneOS team is full of left wing radical activists who believe in the illegal drug trade.

Indeed, they're everywhere in the Republic of Gilead. On every street corner, every company, every office, every farm field, in red states and blue. They've even taken over the government. Watch out. Beware. It's very dangerous out there. The Spanish don't have anything like we have here. But we'll meet them wherever they are, and victory will be ours.