Privacy

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Does installing Linux on a Mac keep Apple from getting your data? (hexbear.net)

submitted 4 days ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

31 comments fedilink hide all child comments

This is something I can't figure out, because my understanding is that no matter what OS you install, unless you bought your Mac with cash, your serial number and credit card are now connected...and will always be spilling data about you.

Thanks for any advice...I'm wondering if it's worth it to install a new OS.

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[–] [email protected] 6 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago) (2 children)

all Apple devices are part of a covert peer-to-peer network and its primary purpose is to facilitate the Airtags and find-my-shit apps. it runs on desktops, laptops, phones, ipads, watches, etc., including when they're supposedly off. you can't turn it off or opt out of it and what that crap additionally does and how secure it is is unknown.

having said that, if you run linux on an old intel-based macbook or similar (say, up to 2015 models) you're out of that racket and similarly all Apple or iCloud based crap. they do have a permanently enabled IME but that's true for the majority of devices sold and, dependent on your threat model, isn't an issue per se.

not sure about the "credit card" angle as you can't buy a new Apple device that runs linux, the asahi mess is limited to M1/2 models which are like 5 years old at this point.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 3 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago)

the asahi mess is limited to M1/2 models

As of the Asahi Linux blog post from 2 days ago, they're working on SPMI controller support, which is part of M3 support.

I wouldn't really call Asahi a mess, they upstream their patches to the Linux kernel and are a part of the Fedora project. Also, Linus uses Asahi Linux for his travel laptop, a MacBook Air.

which are like 5 years old at this point.

M2 models were released in June 2022, they aren't 3 years old yet.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 3 days ago

Thanks! Interesting, I didn't know you can't install Linux on a newer machine. Mine is just a few years old. I want to leave the Apple ecosystem, but I don't want to have to ditch a fairly new laptop and buy a different one.