I think we’re the ones being used… ;)

At this point, if you’re still using anything even remotely connected to Elon Musk, you get what you deserve. I’m not saying that to be an asshole, either. It’s just a simple fact.

Anyone can make a mistake. Sometimes we have to answer for those mistakes. Painfully.

Actually as of 2024, 31.5% of internet users worldwide use an adblocker. Source: https://backlinko.com/ad-blockers-users

Trust me, they don’t. ;)

Great point. :)

never sign in to anything to further avoid getting tracked.

You’re going to have to tell me how that’s possible on an everyday-use basis. How do you do your banking? How did you access Lemmy?

Great stuff! Thank you!

Okay, that makes sense (and thanks for the great explanation!). But, don’t website ads also track you? So if you’re not using an adblocker, can’t you be compromised that way? And wouldn’t a good VPN help with fingerprinting?

Can you please provide any data where Signal has been compromised? I’m not saying that the possibility doesn’t exist, but I’ve certainly never seen one single instance where Signal was compromised, so please do share.

I was with you until you recommended using Brave. I’ll get my privacy advice elsewhere, thank you.

Signal is perfectly fine to use.

Posteo is a great service that I’ve used for a few years, now. I’ve never had a single issue with them.

This should work well for you:

https://gpt4all.io/index.html

“It’s worth noting that some private foundations operate on the VC model in supporting nonprofits, either by requiring Board seats or requesting that their funding be used towards very specific objectives not always in alignment with the organization’s values and mission. It’s also worth noting that some nonprofits actually operate on the models of surveillance and censorship. Therefore, whether an organization or company is VC-backed or a nonprofit should not be the sole factor in deciding whether or not it is trustworthy. Actions are important, with full transparency being one of the most critical factors, and being fully open source being another to attract valid criticisms and audits to ensure any product or protocol lives up to its privacy and security promise. SimpleX Chat prides itself on being both transparent and open, on top of also being fully decentralized. If you’re new to it and eager to know more, you can start with this overview.”

https://simplex.chat/blog/20240404-why-i-joined-simplex-chat-esraa-al-shafei.html

Signal’s leadership team includes former Google and Whatsapp executives. What’s your point?

The moment you protect criminal behavior, you become complicit in their crimes.

But isn’t advocating for the privacy of criminals the same as advocating for the crime, itself? Sure, let’s go after the politicians…but are you REALLY okay with letting child molesters, etc. hide their activities from law enforcement online? Like I said, there has to be a middle ground. We just need to find it.

This is a difficult topic for me. On the one hand, I believe everyone has a right to privacy and we need to fight for that right. On the other hand, I’m enough of an adult to understand that law enforcement needs to be able to effectively investigate criminal activity. There has to be a middle ground there, somewhere. I just don’t know where that is.

I think this is a great idea. I appreciate you taking the initiative! :)