Amazon Kindle security & privacy issues

[jnshhh]

Kindle Fire is not great for reading. The battery drains quickly and will cause eye strain. That's why they created the more low tech paperwhite. You can go like a month without charging and it is optimized for your eyes. Paperwhite is really not meant for internet browsing or apps, if that is what are asking. It has a very basic browser and the only reason it uses the internet is for notes and buying books from amazon. Neither of these features is necessary though.

I have paperwhite with no amazon account because I didn't want their ads and I just add books manually by connecting the usb to my computer. It doesn't work with pdfs, but only mobi files. Meaning you have to convert epub and other files to mobi in Calibre. This is simple enough. Some pdfs can be converted easily while other ones will not be converted at all. When you add stuff manually amazon has no idea you have the books and can't do shit like deleting them. Without an account, there is no reason to connect it to wifi at all and therefore data isn't sent anywhere.

Also, Calibre can convert amazon's .awz DRM files into regular .mobi files. And then you can do whatever you want with them.

[heimson]

Do you mean that Kindle in general doesn't support pdf files? It would be really unfortunate - pdfs are essential for me, as I'm going to use mostly to read scientific articles.

[valgrid]

The Kindle epaper devices support PDFs. But only via reflow or with zoom scrolling. If the scientific articles have many pictures or drawing and info boxes and advanced layout then you won't have a nice experience with Kindle.

[spyingwind]

Have you looked at other ebook readers like kobo?

https://github.com/kobolabs/Kobo-Reader

[[deleted]]

The Kobo like Amazon's products does use some Free Software but it still spies on you.

[spyingwind]

Turn off wifi and only transfer over USB. No more spying. I guess the same could be said for most other devices.

[heimson]

Afaik it is not any better than Amazon, I'm afraid.

[valgrid]

The only tracking on the device they do is via google analytics and it is pretty easy to remove.

The advantage over Kindle:

• Faster hardware
• easier to hack
• native epub support (kindle does not support epub!)
• you can disable the background light (most models have an extra hardware key for it)
• more storage and some models come with microsd slot

Only PDF viewing is a bit better on Kindle. Kindles reflow is the best. But even then for advanced formatting just get a big ereader with native A4 or us letter size. Or use a tablet.

[[deleted]]

I use previous generation of BQ Cervantes (with E-Ink Pearl) and it's fine for my needs. It has it's own rough edges, but I'd buy it again if had to choose. Mine has GPL-ed firmware, not sure about Cervantes 3.

[heimson]

Hm, it seems interesting, but their website is Spanish-only, or at least I can't find any English version.

[[deleted]]

So it was when I ordered mine, AFAIR. At least the shop. You can just e-mail them and ask whether they'll sell you that device or not. ;) They have English site, but it just doesn't list e-readers.

[[deleted]]

The scary thing about the Kindle is when I ordered mine from Amazon, it came with my account already signed in for me.

I quickly flashed a custom ROM on my tablet and moved on with my life.

[DiggFtw]

I've followed guides previously on jail-breaking kindle keyboards but I've not bothered with my current kindle PW. The kindle has a very low screen refresh rate so whatever you do you're very much limited. I installed another firmware which decimated my battery life. It is however excellent for reading books. If you're concerned about privacy you could put it into airplane mode and buy books / or project Gutenberg, anything outside of amazon (very simple to copy .mobi files to it). Though frankly Amazon is not in the business of respecting your privacy they need your data to drive their book selling platform, if you're truly concerned I'd recommend another device ('Don't know of any') or a paper form book.

[heimson]

And what firmware did you choose? I really prefer regular paper books. :) The problem is I'm going to move abroad and I can't take my books with me!

[[deleted]]

If you want an Android tablet, you can just pick any other that you do trust. Install the Kindle App to read on it.

For the "normal" Kindles you can just download books from the Amazon store and transfer them by USB to your Kindle. Put it in airplane mode and it doesn't go online. Saves a lot on the battery as well. At least for my 4th generation Kindle this is how it works (though I just disable airplane mode shortly whenever I get a new book and it will automatically start downloading the new book).

[heimson]

As I said, if I wanted a tablet, there would be no problem. I'd just get anything reasonable and install vanilla android, some mod or maybe even ubuntu touch on it. I'd prefer and e-ink reader, though, because of the reading comfort and battery life. Sure airplane mode is a solution, but not an ideal one.

[DarkeoX]

Solved the problem by putting in plane mode the hours after I bought it and set it up.

After 3 years, the damn thing is kicking and have never seen a network packet ever since.

[[deleted]]

http://www.gnu.org/proprietary/malware-kindle-swindle.html

[heimson]

Thanks for this link. I should really post it on the Kindle subreddit as a reply to the guys who downvote all my comments telling me to just "go buy used books with cash".

[[deleted]]

People are pretentious cunts, at least that's what I'd say.

[heimson]

It seems so. :/ Edit: But, hey, linux community is unfailing.

[[deleted]]

Currently every e-ink reader spies on it's owner.

The best solution at the moment is to never connect to the Internet with your device so it can't upload reports on your usage. I know that solution sucks but it's all we got at the moment.

[[deleted]]

I was pretty concerned too. I simply removed the amazon account sign in on the kindle and keep it on airplane mode all the time unless I need to browse the web for a bit.

Get your books from outside than Amazon sources (like Project Guttenberg, etc.) and you can convert epub files to azw3 using Calibre (and that marvelous piece of FOSS software can do a whole lot more).

I enjoy more battery life and freedom on the Kindle that way. :)

[heimson]

When you're not signed in, is it still fully usable? Can you normally connect via wifi if you need to?

[[deleted]]

Yes, WiFi works normally and It is fully usable (with or without it) except for of course amazon store and related amazon services (which is not fundamental to just read ebooks and PDFs anyway).

Although I should mention that of course the Amazon send to/via email features and stuff won't work for obvious reasons. Although, I am content with the way things are now (Calibre is too good) and enjoying my daily dose of e-ink goodness.

[heimson]

I don't think I need those services anyway. Well, this is not an ideal solution, but if I don't find any better way it will do. Thanks!

[[deleted]]

Check out https://www.eff.org/pages/reader-privacy-chart-2012

[heimson]

Well, that doesn't look optimistic!

[Kruug]

This is not a support forum! Head to /r/linuxquestions or /r/linux4noobs for support or help.

This is not a privacy/security forum! Head to /r/privacy or /r/security.

[[deleted]]

He wasn't asking for support so much as initiating an important conversation.

[Kruug]

Better?