Essential tech changes:
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.
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.
Comments
7. Enable alerts for when you're personal info appears in Google search results.
Your contact info—including your address—is being openly shared by multiple data brokers.
To request alerts (& to remove your info from search results):
https://support.google.com/websearch/answer/12719076?hl=en
7b. Use the alerts in # 7 above to go directly to data broker websites and request your info be removed.
They make it difficult. One website I tried just failed entirely (& their support email is dead).
But many do delete your personal info when you request to opt out.
8. Go through the recent Gravy Analytics leaked list of apps that harvest/sell your location & personal data. Delete all of these apps.
Use Ctrl+F to search for each app on your device. If you have apps on this list, delete them.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Ukgd0gIWd9gpV6bOx2pcSHsVO6yIUqbjnlM4ewjO6Cs/htmlview?usp=sharing
- Delete your Twitter, Meta, and TikTok accounts.
- Use a VPN.
- Change your Wifi credentials regularly.
- Set up multiple wifi networks (for primary devices vs IoT devices+guests).
- Limit IoT devices in your home.
- Leave your phone at home or use a faraday bag.
- Get a dumb phone.
There are many strategies not covered here, & many nuances to the points that are listed. This is neither comprehensive nor perfect.
But even if you only do a few of these steps, you're helping to reduce the ability of others to find/use your data to target you & your close people. /🧵