Translated by AI. This article was originally written in French and translated by Claude, Anthropic’s AI. The French original remains the reference version.
For a few weeks now, I have had the pleasure of taking part regularly, as a homelab and privacy columnist, in the monthly Gaming Linux France show. This unique discussion space brings together Linux, gaming and open-source enthusiasts to explore a wide range of topics, from the latest technological innovations to more philosophical questions.
The October 2025 show: a rich variety of topics and great guests ;)
The October episode looked at several current topics and reflections:
Is Linux standing still? A critical analysis of Linux’s progress compared with its competitors.
The Diablo 4 expansion: a look at what is new in this game the community was eagerly awaiting.
Privacy on smartphones: practices and tools to protect your personal data in a mobile world.
Valve’s contribution to Arch Linux: a focus on Valve’s impact on the Linux ecosystem.
My contribution: protecting your privacy in a mobile world
In this show, my segment, running from 2:00 to 2:56, highlighted concrete strategies to protect your privacy on a smartphone. Here is a summary of the main points:
Choosing a privacy-respecting operating system: alternatives such as /e/OS or GrapheneOS give you more control over your data. These operating systems are based on what is called Android AOSP, the vanilla version of Android without Google’s apps and the data correlation that comes with them.
Limiting app permissions: why every user should review the permissions granted to installed apps. As I mention several times in the video: having an alternative OS is great and certainly the best option for privacy. But breaking the cycle of data collection and correlation between app data is already a big step forward! Don’t hesitate to replace your usual apps with an open-source alternative.
Using anonymized email services: the benefits of tools such as ProtonMail or Tutanota for more secure communication.
Below is the presentation I prepared for the occasion.
To learn more, I invite you to take a closer look at Rob Braxman’s YouTube channel. He covers the subject from every angle.
https://www.youtube.com/@robbraxmantech
Why follow Gaming Linux France?
Gaming Linux France stands out for the richness of its discussions and its commitment to open source. Each episode is an opportunity to learn, exchange and discover the innovations driving the Linux ecosystem.
I know the discussions can be long, but I am sure they are a goldmine of information for anyone passionate about technology, Linux, gaming and everything around self-hosting.
Recommended articles
To dig deeper into the themes of this show, here is some further reading on my blog:
Boost the protection of your personal data
Join us for the next Gaming Linux France show. Together, let’s explore the tools and strategies that are redefining the user experience, and strengthen our commitment to a more ethical digital future.
A few links I find useful to form your own opinion on self-hosting:
Your everyday apps almost always have an open-source alternative!
The selfh.st website will be your bible :)