"But, I have nothing to hide!"
Yes, you might not be planning to take on corrupt governments or powerful dictators, but your online choices can help those who need protection.
Better alternatives that also preserve user privacy and are not selling your data aren't just for the paranoid; they're tools that protect journalists, activists, victims of violence, refugees, and anyone facing persecution or seeking safety.
When you choose services that respect your data, you're:
- Making it harder for those in power to track and control people
- Supporting companies that prioritize user rights
- Contributing to a safer digital world for everyone
It's okay if you're not a full-time privacy advocate. It's fine if you're not doing what investigative journalists and activists do. And it's perfectly alright if you feel you have "nothing to hide." Your choices still matter and can help others whose lives might be in danger.
What we accept as normal privacy standards keeps shifting downward - a phenomenon called "shifting baseline syndrome" that I've discussed in previous posts. We're becoming accustomed to diminished privacy without realizing what we've lost over time.
It might seem small, but the cumulative effect of people like you making privacy a priority can be incredibly powerful. Simply choosing these better alternatives in your daily life can have a big impact and help reset our privacy expectations.
Need help finding services that respect your privacy? Check out this useful list: https://www.techlore.tech/resources
What small step will you take today to protect your online privacy and help others?
Browser? https://privacytests.org/
or
Messaging app? https://www.securemessagingapps.com/
Why not both? Start small, start now.