Essential tech changes:
2. Disable biometric unlock on your devices. Only use pins & passcodes.
In the USA: Laws prevent government officials/police from forcing you to share your pin/passcode to unlock your device. But they can force you to use biometrics.
https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2024/04/cops-can-force-suspect-to-unlock-phone-with-thumbprint-us-court-rules/
2. Disable biometric unlock on your devices. Only use pins & passcodes.
In the USA: Laws prevent government officials/police from forcing you to share your pin/passcode to unlock your device. But they can force you to use biometrics.
https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2024/04/cops-can-force-suspect-to-unlock-phone-with-thumbprint-us-court-rules/
Comments
3. Stop using Meta apps.
If you "must" keep using meta services (Instagram, Fb), then use them in a browser, not in their app.
Yes it's less convenient & more annoying to use via web. That's intentional, so that you'll install their apps—which track everything you do/say.
4. Stop using Chrome web browser.
Use a privacy-focused browser that doesn't store and sell the data on what you're reading/doing online.
There are numerous alternatives. From Firefox to DuckDuckGo to Tor's Onion browser—most all are better than Chrome in terms of privacy.
4b. Stop using Google search widgets.
The Google search bar widget on Android phones defaults to use Chrome. You can't move or delete the widget, nor delete Chrome.
Strategy: Place a new widget (from your newly downloaded browser app) right above the default Google widget.
4c. Sign out of Google services on your web browser(s).
Google is happy to sell and share your data. But it has a much harder time tying your data to your Google account if you're not signed into that account when you're browsing the web.
5. Go through your Google account(s) settings and disable all Activity and Location tracking.
Many folks know that Alphabet (Gmail, YouTube, Google search) pervasively tracks you by default. Consider opting out. Even if you've done step 4c above, go disable everything.
6. Go through the settings on your phone (& laptop, etc), and disable/limit all activity sharing and location permissions.
E.g.: Turn off always-on microphone settings (which is on by default for built-in assistants). Make apps "ask every time" to track your location.