my digital mess got me reading more and somehow I got here

The start was wanting to reduce my exposure to recommendation algorithms. That got me thinking about what absurd amounts of very intimate data companies have about us, and how they can use that to influence people.

Mr. Richard Stallman. I respect him so much. He stays 100% true to his missions and values

The matrix, where all humans interconnected to create a virtual reality and later Edward Snowden revelations made me realize I am not a crazy bastard.

For me, it was an advertisement in my gmail for something my spouse had searched for on a separate computer that I had never logged on to. I don’t recall what it was, but it was something like a new cookware set. It was odd. I started noticing it happening again with other people whom I correspond with for items I don’t need (dog kennels near you). I wasn’t on any social media except maybe YouTube.

Later, I started reading about the profiles companies keep, how you have no control over what is collected, for how long or if you want it to stop. I found myself using the computer less and less, feeling uncomfortable being watched if I looked up medical symptoms or just shopping around for things.

My family would show how cool it is that Google knows when you have a doctor appointment and where you are and what traffic is doing so that you need to leave in 10 minutes to get there on time. I found it creepy.

I awoke to see cameras everywhere, tracking cookies, apps tracking me for no reason. People willingly putting spy cameras next to their front door, pointing directly at my bedroom window, where I walk, sending data to Amazon. I started reading how it’s their data and they’ll willingly turn it over to anyone who asks or pays for it. I read about a guy who was arrested (and later released after hiring an attorney with his own money) for being near a home where a murder occurred, unbeknownst to him.

I have nothing to hide, but I have everything to hide. Now mind your own business!

Free software and the FSF. When the Snowden leaks came out, they weren’t news to me – just confirmation.

I discovered privacyguides.net. good website.

For me it was a convergence of things all at the right moment: Edward Snowden just happened, I just bought a new phone (to experiment with) and I saw a comment on Reddit detailing some privacy tips/tricks which made it seem very easy to get on board

thehatedone

Post 911, the “War on Terror”, and the Patriot Act. I was young enough not to have complex political opinions, but it all stank to me.

For me privacy is free speech, no one knows who I am, so I could say whatever I want.

Free speech never happens on Twitter, FB, Insta, cuz they all linked to our identity, or email, phone number…

My dad bought Linux magazines when I was a kid. So I thought tech and Linux were cool, I then grew up (still using windows and chromium) and discovered how much those 2 spy on you, I first made the switch from chrome to waterfox (I associated Firefox with old Windows XP PCs) then, I think mental outlaw got me into the Linux and privacy world once again, but I was already at least a bit conscious.

Edward Snowden’s reveal of PRISM.

reading privacy policies.

I don’t know. I’ve always been into tech