Why Privacy Matters—Even in the Little Things

Every action we take online leaves a footprint. From sharing photos on social media to logging into our favorite apps, these actions may seem harmless. But over time, they create a mosaic of data that paints a picture of our lives—sometimes more accurate than we realize. This data isn’t just used to personalize ads; it can also be exploited in ways we don’t approve of.

When you start small—like adjusting your privacy settings on social media or using a password manager—you begin to regain control over this digital mosaic. These small steps might seem insignificant at first, but they’re the foundation of a stronger, more private online presence. It’s not about being perfect; it’s about being intentional.

Simple Changes You Can Make Today

You don’t need to be a tech wizard to make meaningful changes. Start with the basics, such as creating strong, unique passwords for each of your accounts. Password managers like Bitwarden or LastPass can take the guesswork out of this process, ensuring that your accounts are protected without the headache of memorizing dozens of passwords.

Next, take a look at your social media profiles. Are you sharing more information than you’re comfortable with? Review your privacy settings and limit who can see your posts, photos, and personal details. Social media platforms often default to public sharing, but you have the power to change that.

Finally, consider using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to encrypt your internet connection. A VPN acts like a secure tunnel between your device and the websites you visit, preventing third parties from snooping on your activity. While it’s not a silver bullet, it’s a simple tool that adds an extra layer of security to your browsing.

Building Momentum for Long-Term Privacy

Once you’ve tackled the basics, you may feel inspired to go further. This is where your privacy journey evolves. Explore privacy-focused web browsers like Brave or Firefox, which offer built-in tracking protection. Consider switching to encrypted messaging apps like Signal to keep your conversations private.

Learning about privacy doesn’t have to be overwhelming. There are countless resources, podcasts, and communities dedicated to helping individuals take ownership of their digital lives. As you educate yourself, you’ll find new tools and techniques that align with your values and lifestyle.

Remember, privacy isn’t a destination—it’s a habit. By committing to small, ongoing changes, you’ll not only protect yourself but also contribute to a culture where privacy is respected and valued.

Takeaways: Steps to Begin Your Privacy Journey

• Use a password manager to create and store strong, unique passwords.
• Review and update your social media privacy settings.
• Consider using a VPN to encrypt your internet connection.
• Switch to privacy-focused browsers like Safari, Brave, or Firefox.
• Use encrypted messaging apps such as Signal for secure communication.
• Educate yourself through podcasts, articles, and online communities focused on privacy.
• Remember, small actions add up—start where you are and build from there.

Your journey toward better privacy doesn’t have to be daunting. Start with a single step, and watch as your confidence grows. You hold the power to shape your digital life—one small change at a time.

Take the example of Bluesky’s open engagement versus the throttled experience on X (formerly Twitter). The Mississippi Free Press posts the same content on both platforms but sees 20x the engagement on Bluesky. Why? Because X intentionally throttles links to control user behavior. This is data weaponization in action—your clicks, likes, and time spent are being used to drive their agenda, not yours.

2025 will demand vigilance. Protecting your data is as essential as protecting your identity. Simple steps, like using a VPN (ProtonVPN is a great start) and/or enabling private browsing, can make a world of difference. These tools may not be foolproof, but they’re better than doing nothing.

Your data deserves the same care as those precious items in a safe. Lock it up, guard it well, and stay mindful of who might be trying to pick the lock.

• Signal Messenger
• ProtonVPN
• Privacy-Focused Browsers
• DuckDuckGo
• ProtonMail and Apple iCloud Custom Domains for Email

Signal Messenger
Signal is a powerful tool that stands out for its seamless blend of robust security and usability. Unlike traditional messaging platforms, Signal offers end-to-end encryption (E2EE) by default, protecting your conversations from prying eyes, and doesn’t store metadata—an ideal choice for those who understand the critical importance of data integrity in today’s digital landscape. For those in development and tech, Signal also aligns well with the principles of open-source transparency, providing full access to its code for audit and customization. The app’s straightforward UX makes it a perfect fit for everyday communication, whether you’re casually messaging or coordinating with others at events where privacy is paramount.

Category: Messaging. Link: https://signal.org/

ProtonVPN
If you’re new to VPNs, ProtonVPN is a solid choice for keeping your online activity private. It’s based in Switzerland, a country known for strong privacy protections and independence from global surveillance alliances like the “5 Eyes” (Or any other eyes for that matter. This is a group of countries that share intelligence). This means that ProtonVPN doesn’t have to share your information with any government surveillance networks. ProtonVPN also has a no-logs policy, meaning it doesn’t track or store what you do online, so you can browse securely and privately. Plus, it works across all your devices, making it easy to use anywhere you go.

Category: VPN, Link: https://protonvpn.com

Privacy-Focused Browsers
For non-Apple users, Brave and Firefox are excellent choices for secure, privacy-oriented browsing. Both browsers are built with privacy in mind: Brave blocks ads and trackers by default, giving you a faster, more private browsing experience without extra setup. It’s based on Chrome, so is widely compatible. Firefox, with its robust privacy controls and open-source foundation, empowers users to control their data and limit tracking from the ground up. Both options offer reliable alternatives to mainstream browsers that often monetize user data, making them solid picks for privacy-conscious users on non-Apple platforms.

For Apple platform users, I recommend Safari. It’s deep system integration, syncing with iCloud, and the ability to set Private Browsing as a default make this an amazing choice. See Apple’s commitment to privacy and security here. Best of all, there are no downloads. It’s built-in.

Category: Web browsing, Links: Safari, Brave, Firefox

DuckDuckGo
DuckDuckGo is a user-friendly search engine designed to prioritize your privacy. Unlike many traditional search engines, DuckDuckGo doesn’t track your searches or store personal information, ensuring your queries remain confidential. Additionally, when you click on a search result, DuckDuckGo prevents your search terms from being shared with the destination website, further protecting your privacy. For added convenience, DuckDuckGo offers a “Sync & Backup” feature that allows you to securely synchronize your bookmarks and passwords across devices without compromising your privacy. DuckDuckGo is available as a default search engine in every modern browser.

Category: Search engine, Link: https://duckduckgo.com/

ProtonMail and Apple iCloud Custom Domains for Email
From the same team as ProtonVPN, ProtonMail is an email service designed to keep your messages private and secure. Unlike typical email providers, ProtonMail encrypts your emails, so only you and the person you’re emailing can read the messages—even ProtonMail itself can’t access them. It’s based in Switzerland, a country with strict privacy laws, which means your data is well protected from outside requests.

With iCloud+ and Apple Mail, you can use your own custom email domain (like yourname@yourdomain.com) while keeping Apple’s strong privacy protections. This feature allows you to manage personalized email addresses directly within the Apple ecosystem, adding flexibility without sacrificing privacy.

To set it up, go to iCloud.com or use the Settings app on your Apple device, navigate to iCloud > iCloud Mail > Custom Email Domain, and follow the setup prompts. Apple guides you through connecting your custom domain to iCloud, so your personalized email can be used seamlessly in Apple Mail across all your devices. Best of all, Apple’s privacy practices apply, so your data isn’t tracked or shared with advertisers, giving you the convenience of a custom domain with Apple’s focus on privacy.

Category: Email, Links: https://proton.me/mail, https://apple.com/icloud/