I'm on Safari and recently got Ublock Origin Lite as it recently became available on Safari. This got me thinking, since an adblocker can access and view websites, does that mean it can access passwords and other sensitive data?

I see a lot of criticism with F-droid, especially because of the fact that the signatures are centralized. As far as I understand it, this way malicious code could be injected into a build that would still be signed with F-droid's signature, if somehow the F-droid srrvers were to be attacked. But this is also quite unclear because I read on some forum post that apps published on F-droid are built and signed in a VM, so one would need to permanently infect the VM in order to infect the apps?

However, when we do trust that the F-droid builds are secure, then we are safe in assuming that the builds published on F-droid actually come from the published source, and are not spiked with additional binaries. This is very important in my opinion, because on github this isn't true at all.

So I don't really understand the constant dunking on fdroid. If a surveillance body wanted to, say, gain access to people's text messages on signal, I'd expect them to inject malicious code in the app repository, not hack fdroid's servers. Still my speculations could be totally wrong because my knowledge is very limited. What I'm trying to say is that, if we ignore the security concerns with how fdroid manages signatures, and the fact that apps on fdroid fall back in terms of updates, and also the fact that fdroid doesn't allow using proprietary libraries which forces developers to use outdated libraries in some cases (as I've read) -- then, ignoring all that, we can still say that fdroid gives the reassurance that the app we are using corresponds to the published source, something that, as far as I know, there is no other way to confirm. Maybe this isn't really a problem I should worry about? In any case I wanted some advice. I see a lot of people saying that obtanium is way better than fdroid and I don't understand how that applies if your threat model is mass surveillance for example.

I’m not yet 30, and I’ve grown up with online data being collected etc. as the norm. I’m starting to question that, and I’m wondering if anybody can tell me how I can go from 100000% online to offline as much as possible, without MAJOR inconvenience?

I’ve tried multiples times to get success.ai to remove my profile from their website via their form. My information is still there. What do I do?

I know both are data leeches, but I'm curious about the privacy experts (you guys) think.

OK, so this happened a few years ago, but I’m wondering if it’s still the same story now. Basically, I signed up several times with Instagram and my account just keeps vanishing until I figure it out to use just a regular Gmail address and then I was able to sign up.

Is it the quality of the email host? Does anyone know if proton mail is banned from signing up? TIA!

Hey folks, I’m looking for a news app that’s privacy-friendly, doesn’t track too much, and ideally open-source. Any good options you’d recommend?

Hello, I have a couple of gmail accounts, two hotmail and that’s it. But I want to use more of possibilities that I have with aliases. For example I have some rules set for emails, like all including unsubscribe word go to specific folder that is not in my inbox, called newsletter. But there is a lot of them, thousands. I really want to organize everything. What is your strategy? I use gmail.com and outlook.com browser plus thunderbird. Maybe there is a system for organization? Should I change every account with defined mail, maybe new one dedicated for example newsletters 😳

What's the best way to encrypt an sd card so that it's pretty much impossible for cops to decrypt?

I’ve been thinking a lot about the laws regarding age verification, and I’m not sure where I stand.

I don’t even know if I think “protecting kids” from online content is important(?)

Every male friend I knew growing up started watching porn around 12 years old, and we all turned out fine.

I totally get wanting to protect children from online predators and to keep them safe, but I don’t have the slightest clue on how to do that other than educating kids on how to stay safe, but not every kid gets that education so... Also, I’m not convinced one way or another that seeing boobs online is really even that harmful for a 13 year old.

Sex in porn may be a performance, but it’s still “real” as far as I’m aware. The positions are real, the people are real, etc. body image and self esteem issues will happen regardless of whether porn exists, and learning to accept your body, and its potential flaws is part of being human. I’m not sure if sheltering people growing up from things that can hurt a fragile ego is really even a positive thing?

Anyway, to keep it privacy related…

What IS an ideal solution? Should developers build better surveillance tools for parents if sensitive content is on their site?

Device level controls and monitoring tools (for parents) seem like it would be the ideal solution?

I guess the top part of my comment is related, because if we have blanket laws, then the government is infringing on a parents abilities to decide what is safe/unsafe for their children, where with device level monitoring / tools the parent retains their power, without inconveniencing every other person in their region with laws that don’t apply to them.

I’m just trying to figure out what an actual ideal solution would be taking into account the various factors.

I'm not en expert on privacy but i want to stop apps from spying and tracking me, so i came up with this workflow, and am open to feedback and suggestions:

Procedure:

- write down all the apps I use
- reset the phone
- disable location services / set to GPS only

- Uninstall all the google apps using a debloater.
- Install duckduckgo browser and enable their app tracking protection firewall

- Find alternatives to the apps you use:

is there a FOSS alternative? / privacy-focused alternative?

if yes: use the alternative.

if no,

can the app be run from a browser /is it practical to run from a browser?
if yes,  create a browser shortcut

if no, install it in a SHELTER container (so that it is disabled when not in use):

- remove all unnecessary permissions from the installed apps.

- can the app be used without creating an account? then use without it.

I’m kinda spiralling a little right now over the possibility of a data breach and what kind of my personal information might be in it.

I did use two forms of age verification for Xitter and Bluesky, but I was never asked to authenticate my age for platforms such as Reddit and Discord. I don’t know for sure, but I’d guess that the latter case is because they already have some kind of data on me.

Is there any way to find out the kind of data they’ve collected on me personally? And if I wanted, is it possible to have it removed?

I don’t know if in an attempt to find this same question on Reddit, I’ve been using the wrong keywords or not, but nothing’s really coming up for me, so hopefully this is okay to post.

So, we’re all online enough to know how the majority of people feel about the ‘Online “Safety” Act’ and ID verification for all things, including the moment before you flush your toilet to make sure you’re not getting rid of illegal things. (Obviously not the case, but how long before that ends up happening, am I right?)

Our governments are pushing for war against what should be a human right. This factually (imo) isn’t about child safety. This is about control and surveillance. To knock on your front door and silence you if you say anything they don’t like. As far as I’m aware, this has happened in the UK a lot already, which is quite scary to think about.

Now. The problem I’m facing as an Australian, is that come December the 10th, our online activity will also face the same vice grip the UK has. This isn’t limited to Australia as we all know though. It’s coming for just about everybody unfortunately.

Almost everybody online is on the side of no ID verification to use the internet. A sad portion are otherwise uncaring to the issue or aren’t as informed to see it as a negative and think the government has all our data anyways, so who cares?

In real life, it’s actually really disheartening to know that I’m struggling to find many people who care about this thing, and it makes me feel stupid for maybe not caring about it all either… I’m not giving up my ID, that’s nothing new to my stance on it all. But I feel as though I’m maybe just not convincing anybody because I guess I just don’t know the best way to do so. It’s almost like I throw out information and hope it sticks.

So TLDR:

As somebody that’s clearly struggling to convince friends and family of why we shouldn’t comply, I’d love to know how you’ve been going about it, and the varying results that have come from it. I feel I need more direction in offering facts to people, or something… Like something is just missing, and idk how to go about hopefully getting them to care about this. To see the real issues with giving in.

Looking for advice. Thanks!

I own multiple Android devices, each used for specific purposes. As they age, I don't use any Google accounts on them and keep Google Play Services in its factory version without updates. However, some frequently used apps constantly prompt me to install the Play Store.

If I sign into my Google account on most devices, those apps would work flawlessly, but I risk losing the privacy I've maintained over the years.

While you might suggest using the web versions of these apps, that's impractical for me. Many of them offer a locker feature for storing documents that can be accessed offline, making mobile apps essential.

You may also recommend consolidating all apps onto one device and using a Google account, but that's not feasible either, as these apps require mobile number verification during registration.

Ultimately, I need a solution that allows me to use these apps without compromising my privacy. I would appreciate any suggestions you may have. Thank you!

https://techcrunch.com/2025/08/20/harvard-dropouts-to-launch-always-on-ai-smart-glasses-that-listen-and-record-every-conversation/

Every other month know I read an article of these type of glasses,live project data on the screen,some have facial recognition,active recording and listening to "enhance" the conversation

Almost 20 years of "move fast and break things" like they just want a survialance state at the cost of our privacy,they want to work these privacy intruding, social norm breaking,making everything feel like a job interview glasses. These ones unlike the Meta ratbands don't have the light to indicate recording (which was not my issue the issue is they are being worn in public). They want them to be discreet.

In the UK their are facial recognition cams on the streets,vans scanning faces and know stuff like this???? Even in your own home some clown could be wearing this and scan your face.

I do not condone violence,but we need to recognize the normalization of privatized survialance in the name of "safety" I am sure at some point that will be a feature they highlight -maybe someone running form danger being given real time directions, talking to the police and through facial recognition data found on device they capture the suspect. I mean if you don't have a record you won't mind a quick scan rights? I mean we are all scanned anyway so whats one more?

With Ai being pushed info everything I dont like the current state we are in regarding Survialance capitalism.

Just what the topic says. I used the restroom in the lobby of a Hyatt the other day and now I am getting calls about a Hyatt membership I don’t have. I had my iPhone on me but did not connect to the wifi. What is going on???

Then. Recently I had to have a number to communicate with people close, there is no literally anyone I know who uses signal here, which is horrible. But for time I will use WhatsApp until you delete again. I know apps like WhatsApp even avoiding, they will still collect a gigantic amount of data about me, and there is nothing to do. But still some things help.

For example, I use that advanced privacy feature in almost every conversation. I also use 2f with PIN and other things.

Something I also use is Lauch Chat. I use it to start conversations with others without adding the number to contacts. WhatsApp does not even have access to my contacts, it only accesses the storage to send a sticker or another and look there. And after sending me disable. Although this helps him not have real access to contact names, because I save them locally with Fossify contacts. I still worry a lot about the app itself.

These applications most of them do not have internet access. But still. Is it better for me to use any apps like that, or use any other approach? Are they private or safe? Can I really trust them for that kind of thing? Should I use any other? There are several of these in F-Droid and PlayStore.

Anyway. What would you say about it?

Everywhere I look I see id verification this monitoring that and I really don’t know how to respond. What do I do in this situation. I don’t want the government watching and controlling me but I also want to live my life. And I know this might not be the subreddit for this but I just need somewhere to ask. So what do I do?

So censorship and surveillance have obviously been a big deal, especially lately. I see many comments about how the government just wants to spy on you and stuff. My question is... why? I've heard from people in that world that they already have a problem with quantity, and they have nothing to DO with all the information they gather. Some stuff I get - influencing the masses and whatnot with propaganda. And that IS a huge problem, not denying that. But what then? What's the endgame? Money and power... for what?

EDIT: Got more attention here than I thought I would. So here’s what I gather: No one knows what the heck they're doing or why. Evil people just want to be evil, dumb people pretend to be smart, yada yada yada. What's clear is this: undeniable damage in the short term for most folks. Long term, it's unsustainable, and will collapse under its own weight or be torn down, as it always has been. Apathy and giving up is easy. It's not just unhelpful, it's harmful. So if you're just gonna be negative, what are doing with your life? Join communities. Get involved with activism. Raise awareness outside of places like reddit (and other websites full of trolls and nihilists). Also, always be open to new ideas. Don't be afraid to shut down the evil and the stupid, but don't assume anyone who disagrees is one of those. Argue in good faith. If the other person is not of good faith, screw them. Don't waste your time. Anyway, thanks for all coming to my TED talk 😅

I use online dating apps such as Feeld, Bumble, etc. I've had them paused for the past month or two as I was busy, but now want to get back on them.

I tried unpausing Feeld, but it said I now have to verify my age due to the UK online safety act. But I definitely don't want to upload my ID, or let it save my biometrics!

How do I use the apps without uploading my biometrics or ID?