I can’t remember, but I think I wanted to be sure anti-tracker extensions was after installing a new browser…otherwise you’d double your work. This is not an iPhone guide; later in the course we talk about getting a privacy-forward phone OS.

Thank you! You think I should create a degoogling megathread in /privacy? (Sorry, I’m new.)

I closed it yesterday so we’re all starting in the same place. If you give me your signal handle I can add you manually!

Thanks for your comment! I’m fairly new at this myself…I started degoogling, etc. maybe 2-3 years ago.

If it helps, this article has info on a service that lets you buy throwaway numbers for verifying accounts. I used it once and it worked, and cost only a couple bucks: How to Verify an Account Without Using Your Real Phone Number

I think you only need your number to verify Signal, right? If that’s the case, this could work. (Or can you use your MySudo number?) I hope it helps, and hope to see you in the group!

Sounds like you are a lot more advanved than me!

Yes, those look amazing and are next on my list!

Hi there! We’ll be following the checklist I linked to in the main post. It will be very casual, and we’ll all just do the best we can!

Appreciate it! If this goes well I might do a de-Amazon, Meta, Microsoft, or something else…or run this one again.

Thank you!

I’m only about 3/4 of the way through but I love it! I’m on a trip, but as soon as I get back I can’t wait to try this. I’ll also share it with some groups I’m in. THANK YOU.

We should even make a video where I interview you on some of these things for a MUCH less techie audience. There are a LOT of retired people I know who have money, they have time, and they hate what’s happening here…but I would never be able to convince them to do some of this stuff. And these people are ignored!

What do you think? I could ask the most very basic questions on why this is important, how to make it as simple as possible, etc. (I’m a semi-retired journalist so I have LOTS of experience interviewing. :)

I hope you’ll join my 5-week degoogle challenge! https://signal.group/#CjQKIPfv-Xa5mSVIES2Rwx5-8tQHT8wgADjmXXAp6Glu23V-EhCM50toN-KpLV4lXJg1TM3Q

Wow, thank you! I’ll check it out later!

I get it! Mailfence has a free starter plan.

I used a spreadsheet to track all the logins I changed, privacy settings I did on each, etc. I did a little at a time. Now, ProtonPass stores all my passwords so I don’t have to worry about remembering the masked email I created for each one.

There’s a lot of up-front effort, but then things smooth out as the new platforms and habits become your new normal.

Thanks for the feedback!

When I create my materials, I have my mom in mind as the target reader. While I use GrapheneOS and have tried (and hated) fingerprint-blocking tools, many people are at a much earlier stage of ability/interest. That’s actually why I started my site: Two years ago when I was feeling ready to do something about being surveilled, I had to do a ton of research and figure it all out for myself. There was nothing that was understandable and doable for the average person, and my goal is to get people on board with caring about their privacy and reclaiming their lives from Big Tech This checklist is meant for newbies to get started on their journey.

I put the advertising blocks at the end because I figured in the first four weeks, people would be experimenting with different software, platforms, and maybe even hardware. Is that a bad idea?

Thanks! I recommended SimpleSearch because it’s good for people who can’t/don’t want to stop using Googl Search.

Fixed, thanks!

Thanks for the tips! Yeah, it’s hard to know where to draw the line, but since I’m focused on beginners, I figured these tools/platforms were the basics.

Good idea to bundle mail and calendar. I can do that with a few tweaks. And will fix the extra mention of uninstalling Chrome.

Thanks again!

I know! I actually just revised the title and cover image of my book to make it more beginner-friendlly and answer the “why should I care” question: DISENGAGE: Escape the Leash of Big Tech, Scams and Surveillance—Everyday Resistance for the Digital Underdog. I also plan to add.a glossary, and when I have time I’ll revise the whole book with that goal in mind.

The book is free! It was a passion project my a retired journalist (me). Maybe it will help convince them?

Thank you…I’m CERTAIN I’ll need help!

May I suggest my free book DISENGAGE: Opting Out—and Finding New Options—to Reclaim Your Life from Spammers, Scammers, Intrusive Marketers and Big Tech?

I recommend the PDF because it has clear “try this now” actions and other sidebars. It’s written in a Dummies style (I used to write Dummies books and Idiot’s Guides. :)

Thanks! I de-Microsofted myself and have been using LibreOffice. Also don’t use Apple apps like Pages. I can switch other apps as needed.