Privacy of current mainstream software A critique of modern data exploitation and a call to prioritize digital privacy.

[hourglass_catto]

Hello there Comfybox,

We probably all know that the current state of privacy can be improved. Data collection happens everywhere and is most of the time hard to avoid.

I'm sick of the idea that people profit off data collected by unknowing users.

I just had the idea to collect and/or make tools, tips and repositories to make living without being spied on easier. A centralised space.

For example: It's of course the best option not to use WhatsApp as your main messaging platform. But for some, the social contactsthey have are way too important to lose. Is it possible for these people to download an alternative client for PC/Android/iOS that alters or disrupts the collected data, preventing companies from gaining useful data, or from getting any data at all, while still using the service?

Of course, downloading random clients/apps/programs from a sketchy website isn't risk free. It's not hard to modify an already existing modified app to inject your own code.

I'm sorry if I seem paranoid. I just believe that everyone has the right to use the internet without getting their data sold to brokers unknowingly. I do have to say that there is a lack of knowledge about this matter among most people. And even if there are news articles about it, barely anyone is taking action. The makers of these apps won't be the ones highlighting these points explicitly in (or outside) the terms of service when signing up. Everyone just clicks the checkbox and goes on with their day. It almost seems like most people don't even care about their data being collected. I have even heard someone say "I don't mind if they can see what I'm doing on my phone, it's not like I'm famous or a politician, so they can't get anything useful about me." I wish people would take their privacy more seriously. And heck, if people do want to share their data, let them choose what it's allowed to be used for and by whom. I can imagine that there are companies interested in this (and some likely already exist) that are willing to compensate you for it.

Thank you for reading my little rant. Feel free to send me any useful resource on this matter. Or tell everyone about it as a reply on this post. Epic project ideas are also cool.

 

[SonarRonar]

seconding this, i think a lot of privacy and piracy go hand in hand, so FMHY is also a solid shout. i think finding privacy-focused clients are the best way to go here, since I'm probably not convincing my grandma to use Signal anytime soon.