I agree with the article's main thrust, that we should all care about privacy. Alternatives to services offered by Google and Apple, which the article offers, all come with significant...
I agree with the article's main thrust, that we should all care about privacy. Alternatives to services offered by Google and Apple, which the article offers, all come with significant disadvantages though (mostly through network effects) and it's long past time for someone (ideally a government) to step in and force companies like Google, Apple, Facebook, etc to offer meaningful control over our data.
I agree. I liken this issue to that of sustainability/waste. It's good that there are individuals out there who are promoting zero-waste, bulk bins, reusable products, etc., but those lifestyle...
I agree. I liken this issue to that of sustainability/waste. It's good that there are individuals out there who are promoting zero-waste, bulk bins, reusable products, etc., but those lifestyle and services are out of reach for a lot of people. So while we can try to do our part to produce less waste, the major issue is that manufactures will continue to produce single-use plastics and goods until they're forced not to.
I think privacy is framed similarly. Abandoning Google or Facebook is a luxury (maybe you need it to drive for for Uber/Lift, or run a business page), and knowing enough about tech/software to get away from Apple/Microsoft/Google and run an opensource phone OS or desktop OS is a privilege and just out of reach for many people. So, until there is stronger legislation to provide choice and control to the consumer, there's not that much they can do.
Beyond that, here's a rant:
The above isn't to say we should lay down and take it. We can use browser plugins that block tracking/ads, use auto-cookie delete, use NoScript, use container tabs, buy less from Amazon, don't authenticate with Facebook/Google for new accounts, and so on. We should be discrete about what we share on social media and how we engage with the platform. I even think we should be asking people if it's okay that we post pictures of them on social media. It takes time to learn how to create less data. And it's hard. And tiring. But the biggest thing privacy advocates can do is meet people where they're at and be welcoming to those trying to understand the privacy landscape.
I agree with the article's main thrust, that we should all care about privacy. Alternatives to services offered by Google and Apple, which the article offers, all come with significant disadvantages though (mostly through network effects) and it's long past time for someone (ideally a government) to step in and force companies like Google, Apple, Facebook, etc to offer meaningful control over our data.
I agree. I liken this issue to that of sustainability/waste. It's good that there are individuals out there who are promoting zero-waste, bulk bins, reusable products, etc., but those lifestyle and services are out of reach for a lot of people. So while we can try to do our part to produce less waste, the major issue is that manufactures will continue to produce single-use plastics and goods until they're forced not to.
I think privacy is framed similarly. Abandoning Google or Facebook is a luxury (maybe you need it to drive for for Uber/Lift, or run a business page), and knowing enough about tech/software to get away from Apple/Microsoft/Google and run an opensource phone OS or desktop OS is a privilege and just out of reach for many people. So, until there is stronger legislation to provide choice and control to the consumer, there's not that much they can do.
Beyond that, here's a rant:
The above isn't to say we should lay down and take it. We can use browser plugins that block tracking/ads, use auto-cookie delete, use NoScript, use container tabs, buy less from Amazon, don't authenticate with Facebook/Google for new accounts, and so on. We should be discrete about what we share on social media and how we engage with the platform. I even think we should be asking people if it's okay that we post pictures of them on social media. It takes time to learn how to create less data. And it's hard. And tiring. But the biggest thing privacy advocates can do is meet people where they're at and be welcoming to those trying to understand the privacy landscape.