Europe is stepping up its game in privacy-focused mobile technology. As concerns over digital surveillance, data harvesting, and reliance on Big Tech grow, European startups and established companies are launching smartphones and operating systems designed to give users control over their personal information.
From sovereign government solutions to open-source consumer devices, a new wave of privacy-first phones is redefining mobile communication across the continent.
Sectra tiger/e: secure collaboration for sensitive communication
In November 2025, Sectra, the Swedish cybersecurity and medical imaging IT company, unveiled its Sectra Tiger/E Managed Service—a fully managed collaboration platform aimed at authorities, municipalities, essential entities, and corporations. Unlike traditional consumer devices, this service prioritizes sensitive but unclassified communications, providing encrypted calls, video, and chat with strong endpoint security.
“Organizations today face increasing demands for secure, flexible, and mobile collaboration,” said Magnus Skogberg, President of Sectra Communications. He stressed that solutions must be intuitive and accessible, especially in high-stakes environments like conflict zones or emergency operations. Tiger/E bridges this gap by combining hardened Samsung Knox devices, dual-environment architecture, and a quantum-resilient VPN to enhance national resilience while keeping usability intact.
By separating two secure zones—one for sensitive collaboration and one for everyday tasks—Sectra Tiger/E allows employees to work securely without sacrificing mobility or convenience. The platform also reduces the load on internal IT teams since Sectra fully manages the service, ensuring reliability for organizations that cannot afford downtime.
Built on Sectra’s decades of experience in Restricted, Secret, and Top Secret communications, Tiger/E brings advanced security practices into a platform suited for sensitive collaboration outside classified networks. It complements the company’s existing suite, providing a robust solution for information requiring enhanced security while maintaining flexibility for everyday use.
What makes secure open-source phones different?
Beyond enterprise solutions like Sectra Tiger/E, consumer privacy-first devices are gaining traction in Europe. Secure open-source phones are smartphones built on openly developed software such as GrapheneOS, /e/OS, or Linux-based systems, as Technical Security Consultant Babak Bandpey explains on a LinkedIn post. Unlike standard Android or iOS phones, these devices minimize or eliminate personal data collection by default.
One of the main advantages of privacy-first phones is that they do not share data with Google, Apple, or third parties without the user’s consent. For example, /e/OS on Murena phones is de-Googled, meaning it does not transmit searches, location data, or app usage to Google, keeping personal information private by default.
These devices also offer users freedom from app store restrictions and mandatory software ecosystems. Individuals can choose which apps to install, replace the operating system if desired, and even use hardware kill switches to physically disconnect cameras, microphones, or radios. This approach gives users maximum control over their personal data at both software and hardware levels.
Murena phone.
Privcacy and transparency
Open-source systems add another layer of transparency. With the code publicly available for review and improvement, users and the developer community can verify privacy features, patch security vulnerabilities, and extend the lifespan of devices beyond what manufacturers typically provide. This open development model ensures that privacy promises are not just theoretical but verifiable and maintainable over time.
Secure phones usually come without pre-installed services like Google Play or iCloud. Users can choose to add only the services they need, significantly reducing trackers and centralized data collection while maintaining the functionality of apps they rely on.
Several brands and models make privacy-first devices accessible in Europe.
French company Murena offers de-Googled Android devices such as the Murena Fairphone 4 and Murena One, running /e/OS and including a privacy-focused cloud account while allowing most Android apps without Google tracking.
Purism’s Librem 5, built on the Linux-based PureOS, emphasizes extreme privacy and full software freedom, with hardware kill switches for the camera, microphone, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and cellular modem, giving users physical control over their device.
GrapheneOS, a hardened Android system, runs on Google Pixel devices and removes Google services by default, strengthening encryption and offering a high-security experience. NitroPhone sells Pixel devices with GrapheneOS pre-installed for EU customers.
Phone with GrapheneOS.
Reducing reliance on U.S. tech
Europe is also developing alternative operating systems to reduce reliance on U.S. tech companies. /e/OS from France is a de-Googled Android fork with privacy-respecting cloud services. Germany’s Volla OS provides a minimalist, Google-free experience with optional Ubuntu Touch, and Finland’s Sailfish OS is a Linux-based system with optional Android app compatibility, used in government and enterprise environments.
European smartphone brands integrate these systems: Fairphone from the Netherlands focuses on ethical sourcing, repairability, and long-term support; Murena pre-installs /e/OS with a privacy-first cloud ecosystem; Volla produces secure, minimalist devices backed by community development; and Shiftphone in Germany offers similar privacy and ethical values on a smaller scale.
Several factors drive Europe’s push for privacy-first mobile technology. Digital sovereignty aims to reduce reliance on foreign tech companies, while privacy and GDPR compliance ensure legal and ethical handling of user data. Transparency is promoted through open-source, auditable systems, and strategic autonomy protects critical digital infrastructure from external influence. Initiatives such as Gaia-X and the European Alliance for Industrial Data support these objectives, fostering technological independence and a more open digital ecosystem.
Despite growing interest, privacy-first European devices face challenges. App availability remains limited compared to mainstream Android and iOS, market visibility is still low, and hardware often depends on global supply chains. Scaling production while maintaining privacy standards and open-source principles is another ongoing hurdle. Nonetheless, these devices represent a significant shift toward a more secure, sovereign, and privacy-conscious digital landscape in Europe.
Embracing a new era of mobile privacy
Nevertheless, these alternatives represent a long-term shift toward user-controlled, secure mobile experiences, with both enterprise and consumer markets showing increasing adoption.
From Sectra Tiger/E in professional environments to Murena, Purism, and GrapheneOS devices for everyday users, Europe is positioning itself at the forefront of privacy-first mobile technology. While still emerging, these solutions signal a broader movement toward digital independence, secure communication, and personal data sovereignty across the continent.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are privacy-first phones?
Privacy-first phones are devices designed to protect personal data, often using open-source operating systems and removing default connections to Big Tech servers. They give users control over apps, sensors, and communication.
Which European companies make secure smartphones?
Key European brands include Murena, Purism, Volla, Fairphone, and Shiftphone, offering devices pre-installed with privacy-focused operating systems like /e/OS, PureOS, and Volla OS.
Can I still use apps on a de-Googled phone?
Yes. Many privacy-first devices support mainstream apps through sandboxed environments or optional app stores, allowing functionality without compromising privacy.
What makes Sectra Tiger/E different from consumer devices?
Sectra Tiger/E is an enterprise-grade, fully managed service for sensitive communications, combining encryption, endpoint security, and dual secure zones, designed for authorities and organizations handling unclassified yet sensitive information.
Why is Europe focusing on alternative operating systems?
Europe seeks digital sovereignty, GDPR compliance, and strategic autonomy, aiming to reduce dependence on U.S. tech companies while promoting transparency, security, and ethical development.
