Thank you for your well-researched post. As others already stated, yes Meta seems to be the worst of all. But that makes all the other giants not angels. They want our data - with or without our consent. And the worst part of all: Most users don't care... In my circle of friends, I'm always the only conspiracy lunatic that warns...
Response to Beyond The Firewall's "I Analyzed The Privacy Policies of 5 Popular Apps (What I Found is Shocking)"
I'm so glad I don't use any of those apps, except Amazon . And I don't care that Amazon can "predict my spending habits" since it can't control those spending habits (I only have so much money and I spend it on what I need, not what they suggest.)
The same pretty much applies to my overall approach to privacy. For the most part, I don't care what someone knows - as long as they can't control it or use it to influence me. And that's up to me.
In the end, it's up to you to decide what you do. The problem is most people are jerked around by their chains of connections to other people. Someone like me - a born loner - isn't.
The best way to insure your security and privacy: drop social engagement from your priorities. I know - humans are social animals. That's the real problem.
I recently deleted Facebook and Instagram. Instagram continues to send me emails saying someone(s) wants to connect with my profile. I believe I have finally cleaned this up but it took a while.
The only one I am guilty of is Amazon. But only the app on Alexa forums... never ever! I am always mindful of what I say when I am working in houses that use Alexa. Ring door bells are a big hate of mine.
I have put Facebook back on my phone to help with a room search but as soon as I am done with that, I'm taking it off again. Sounds like I also need to do the same with Instagram and Threads. I was considering putting Tik Tok back on my phone...but probably best to not let that one happen as well.
I think taking those proper precautions is key. While we do click "ask app not to track" of course the company will be like "lol ok sure" and still track everything. Once I find more time (which will be coming soon) I'll be doing a bit of a deep cleaning of my own privacy and hope to help out family and friends as well.
Fairly new subscriber to your content, and I am very happy that you popped up in my feed. I find your stuff to be incredibly informative!
Awesome to hear this! Thanks for subscribing Preston and I’m so glad you found value in my content. I hope to keep delivering high quality strategies to keep your data private.
I am especially concerned about my email and keeping emails of my subscriber secure. I'm a newbie on Substack, but want to build a safe online presence.
I think it’s a good practice to always use a vpn. Especially now there are so many great options and as far as user experience you’ll hardly even notice it but the benefits are amazing.
Best password managers at the time of writing this would be bitwarden or 1password. Do not use last pass. It’s already had many breaches in the past so it’s not suggested as a secure option. I’d go with bitwarden.
Its important to use a strong password for your account utilizing a password manager can help immensely. When using the app or navigating the website in your browser I recommend using a vpn. You already have my book so most of the steps you can take are in there! An other questions definitely feel free to reach out always happy to help
Thanks so much. So a vpn is more desirable, even when working from my house? My daughter uses a vpn for her homeschooling with her kids.
I’m trying to check and make sure all my accounts have the double verification set up. Are some password managers better than others? Are there any we should avoid?
I’m sure I’ll think of more questions. I appreciate you.
I'm not joking when I say I am a Luddite Online trying to sell art on my pixels site and writing and journalism on substack now.
But I only joined after a life changing hate crime on July 6 2023. None of these should be allowed to track locations and everytime.
I recently wrote a post. I had been restaurant delivery driver....phony "independent contractor" so they don't have to pay us minimum wage. The business here began using the DRIVER LOGIC app. Which I used for years.
Well in September 2024 I lost my car due to theft and vandalism. I have not worked since. I never got my 1099s. I tried to access my stored financial information.
DRIVER LOGIC WON'T LET ME SEE MY FINANCIAL INFORMATION....IS THAT LEGAL ?
Now there is a new agreement lowing them to track you 24 hours a day 7 days a week.....and unless you agree you can't see your records.
I can't deliver because I lost my car to crime. BUT DRIVER LOGIC WON'T LET ME SEE MY FINANCIAL RECORDS !!!!
Moved from Google to DuckDuckGo in -20--Tor took too long. Moved from DDG to Brave in ? '21.From Galaxy to a ghost phone in '23. From g-mail to Proton in'23. From Windows to Linux in '24. Keep my phone in a Faraday bag. Those apps? Never used them anyway. Keep your friends close and your enemies further away.
Thank you for your well-researched post. As others already stated, yes Meta seems to be the worst of all. But that makes all the other giants not angels. They want our data - with or without our consent. And the worst part of all: Most users don't care... In my circle of friends, I'm always the only conspiracy lunatic that warns...
I get it me too!!
Response to Beyond The Firewall's "I Analyzed The Privacy Policies of 5 Popular Apps (What I Found is Shocking)"
I'm so glad I don't use any of those apps, except Amazon . And I don't care that Amazon can "predict my spending habits" since it can't control those spending habits (I only have so much money and I spend it on what I need, not what they suggest.)
The same pretty much applies to my overall approach to privacy. For the most part, I don't care what someone knows - as long as they can't control it or use it to influence me. And that's up to me.
In the end, it's up to you to decide what you do. The problem is most people are jerked around by their chains of connections to other people. Someone like me - a born loner - isn't.
The best way to insure your security and privacy: drop social engagement from your priorities. I know - humans are social animals. That's the real problem.
I recently deleted Facebook and Instagram. Instagram continues to send me emails saying someone(s) wants to connect with my profile. I believe I have finally cleaned this up but it took a while.
They are truly invasive
The only one I am guilty of is Amazon. But only the app on Alexa forums... never ever! I am always mindful of what I say when I am working in houses that use Alexa. Ring door bells are a big hate of mine.
FB app just got deleted. Thank you , my business is not metas business.
And that’s why I have none of those apps… My only social media Substack. And that’s why I don’t have many apps on my phone at all!
I have put Facebook back on my phone to help with a room search but as soon as I am done with that, I'm taking it off again. Sounds like I also need to do the same with Instagram and Threads. I was considering putting Tik Tok back on my phone...but probably best to not let that one happen as well.
I think taking those proper precautions is key. While we do click "ask app not to track" of course the company will be like "lol ok sure" and still track everything. Once I find more time (which will be coming soon) I'll be doing a bit of a deep cleaning of my own privacy and hope to help out family and friends as well.
Fairly new subscriber to your content, and I am very happy that you popped up in my feed. I find your stuff to be incredibly informative!
Awesome to hear this! Thanks for subscribing Preston and I’m so glad you found value in my content. I hope to keep delivering high quality strategies to keep your data private.
I am especially concerned about my email and keeping emails of my subscriber secure. I'm a newbie on Substack, but want to build a safe online presence.
Thank you fo much for all the specific tips.
I think it’s a good practice to always use a vpn. Especially now there are so many great options and as far as user experience you’ll hardly even notice it but the benefits are amazing.
Best password managers at the time of writing this would be bitwarden or 1password. Do not use last pass. It’s already had many breaches in the past so it’s not suggested as a secure option. I’d go with bitwarden.
Hope that helps!
Its important to use a strong password for your account utilizing a password manager can help immensely. When using the app or navigating the website in your browser I recommend using a vpn. You already have my book so most of the steps you can take are in there! An other questions definitely feel free to reach out always happy to help
Thanks so much. So a vpn is more desirable, even when working from my house? My daughter uses a vpn for her homeschooling with her kids.
I’m trying to check and make sure all my accounts have the double verification set up. Are some password managers better than others? Are there any we should avoid?
I’m sure I’ll think of more questions. I appreciate you.
I really appreciate your researched posts.
Hahaha, you’re just now realizing….
I'm not joking when I say I am a Luddite Online trying to sell art on my pixels site and writing and journalism on substack now.
But I only joined after a life changing hate crime on July 6 2023. None of these should be allowed to track locations and everytime.
I recently wrote a post. I had been restaurant delivery driver....phony "independent contractor" so they don't have to pay us minimum wage. The business here began using the DRIVER LOGIC app. Which I used for years.
Well in September 2024 I lost my car due to theft and vandalism. I have not worked since. I never got my 1099s. I tried to access my stored financial information.
DRIVER LOGIC WON'T LET ME SEE MY FINANCIAL INFORMATION....IS THAT LEGAL ?
Now there is a new agreement lowing them to track you 24 hours a day 7 days a week.....and unless you agree you can't see your records.
I can't deliver because I lost my car to crime. BUT DRIVER LOGIC WON'T LET ME SEE MY FINANCIAL RECORDS !!!!
DODOBBIRD.PIXELS.COM (My art site)
Moved from Google to DuckDuckGo in -20--Tor took too long. Moved from DDG to Brave in ? '21.From Galaxy to a ghost phone in '23. From g-mail to Proton in'23. From Windows to Linux in '24. Keep my phone in a Faraday bag. Those apps? Never used them anyway. Keep your friends close and your enemies further away.