Based out of Amsterdam, Fairphone is known for making the world’s most ethical smartphone. In the latest development, the Dutch company has partnered with France’s /e/OS to launch a “de-googled” version of its flagship smartphone, the Fairphone 3.
Fairphone 3 with /e/OS!
With this move, thousands of people across Europe will have a chance to purchase Fairphone’s sustainable phone, the Fairphone 3 with /e/OS native, offering them a new and fairer approach to resources and their data.
To make it simpler, the Fairphone 3 will feature the same hardware as the standard Fairphone but without Google’s online services.
Eva Gouwens, Fairphone’s CEO comments:
“Our partnership with /e/OS is exciting because we both strive to change the way the tech industry operates in our way. We’re happy to be able to provide Fairphone users with phones that are not only sustainable but also take special care to protect their data, for those that want data protection.
What is /e/ OS?
/e/ OS is an open-source operating system that provides a privacy-by-design environment. User data stays private by default, blocking unwanted data flows, saving battery power, and bandwidth.
Most Android apps can be used with the option for users to see how built-in trackers are hidden within each app, so they know in advance of any potential threat to their data.
Gaël Duval, /e/OS founder comments:
“Since the inception of /e/OS, we realized that many of our users were not only concerned about their data privacy and willing to reconquer their digital sovereignty, they also wanted hardware that would last longer and be repairable. It was therefore obvious to us that Fairphone would be a great platform for these customers, providing them with a phone that ticks the boxes of repairability, durability, and ethical sourcing.”
Aims to remove surveillance from smartphones!
Founded by Gaël Duval, /e/OS builds mobile operating systems with pre-installed apps and online services that help users regain control of their data on their phones.
Furthermore, /e/OS is committed to removing the surveillance from smartphones, thereby eliminating tracking and other services that are hooked into Google’s ecosystem.
Also, it is a global project, supported by an international core team of experienced entrepreneurs, developers, and designers, and a vibrant growing community of contributors.
e/’s manifesto is to remove the surveillance from smartphones, eliminating tracking and services that are hooked into Google’s broader ecosystem.
For both Fairphone and /e/OS, open-source software is an important means to achieve their goals. The existing Fairphone 3 owners will also be able to download and switch to /e/OS from /e/OS website.
Eva Gouwens said:
“We want people to keep their phones in use for longer and in the past open-source software has helped us increase the longevity of our phones, enabling us to provide software upgrades for many years. A fairer phone is about the materials used to produce it, the fair treatment of factory workers, and its increased longevity.”
The Fairphone 3 with /e/OS will be available to purchase from 6 May 2020 on the /e/ online shop for €479.90 across Europe.
Main image credits: Fairphone
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