I’ve always been very private oriented: I started using linux-debian 20 years ago after discarding windows and apple. I rarely buy online but when I did, to be as private as possible I used to create an account using fake data by the e commerce platform I wanted, get my order and then ignore the account until I wanted yo use it again. Most of the times I used a vpn.

This worked till the platform banned me.

Now I’m thinking about investing in ETFs to build some capital for my retirement and platforms recommended to me like trade republic or scalable capital seem to be exclusively smartphone reliant. I wouldn’t use fake data to create accounts here, nor would it be possible (bank data involved).

The trouble with smartphones: I don’t want to be that guy changing smartphones every 2 or even 4 or 8 years. Spending $200 to $800 for a phone for such a short period of time is just a dumb idea, but I don’t know if it would be safe to use my 2018 android 8 smartphone to invest in ETFs. This 2018 model is my first smartphone. It’s a second hand one somebody gave me because he thought I really needed it. I would have never bought a new smartphone on my own. However, unsupported models are not secure for investing and this model stopped being supported years ago.

Another trouble I see: to use scalable capital or trade republic I’d have to download their app in my smartphone. Google is a company I don’t trust. Each time I needed to use something from their app database I got it using aurora, but I’m afraid scalable capital will automatically ban me if I download their app from f-droid instead of doing it officially using google. Using google to create an account would mean giving them my real data, because otherwise I risk being labeled a scammer. Correct me if wrong.

I’d love to invest using only a browser on a desktop.

  • OpticalMoose@discuss.tchncs.deEnglish
    83·
    4 days ago

    I like my privacy and all that, but I would never let it get in the way of investing. When you’re old, broke, on the verge of being homeless, eating low-grade ramen noodles for every meal, are you going to say “At least I kept my privacy intact!”? F— that.

    As with any business/industry, if a company limits you to a certain platform (like phone apps), find a different company. There are plenty of competitors out there.

    Personally, I would go the S&P 500 mutual fund route. It’s too easy, and it beats most other investments out there. But if you’re determined to go the DIY route, you do you.

    TL/DR: I do everything on my desktop. I can check my accounts from my phone, but it’s not required for anything.