Changing Habits
Simply recognising that you are going to change the way you think about
privacy and taking ownership of it, will stop you falling into the classic
pitfalls and make it all go smoothly
The Right Mindset
This is your data: You choose what to do with it and where it resides. Take ownership
Think Privacy first: Become aware of your data and when privacy is important, including communications
Take one step at a time: When you buy a new car / house it takes a while to get used to it. Master one thing at a time
Learning something new: is more valuable than gold, make the effort & allow time
Clean up & Back up: Throw out the rubbish and back up regularly
The Pitfalls
Self Sabotage
Often the first time something doesn’t work the way you’re used to you will immediately give up your privacy again.
It’s like going back to your ex, you know they are no good for you but it’s easy
My old app was much faster / better (in conversation about whatsapp)
You forgot the trade off
Remember that whatsapp costs millions of £££ to be able to service over a billion people sending pictures for free… How?
Simple: They are selling your data. Signal doesn’t do that
And by the way whatsapp compresses the hell out of your pictures in order to send them fast. Try taking a high res photo and sending it by whatsapp and then compare sending it by Signal. Print it off and tell me which one you want to keep
Psychology
Attachment and personal values are not to be underestimated. Frequently used to sway your judgement. Here are a few examples
This costs less than my old phone, there must be something wrong with it
Personal value: unless its expensive it doesn’t have credibility
The camera was way better on my old phone, look! (Shows the typical iphone over saturated and contrasted image)
Attachment to the way your existing phone does something
This is a well known technique, commonly used by car manufacturers as well
Get them hooked on the small details and they never see the big picture
Apple / Google / Microsoft is the best!
Elitism… The best at what exactly? Protecting your privacy? Or stroking your ego?
Don’t get me wrong here, Apple make really great devices that are easy to use and look good. But the trade off? It sucks
If you had a partner who looked fantastic and you trusted with all your heart and then one day you found out they were spying on you, cheating on you and making money out of you would you still say they are the best?
Addiction
Facebook, Google, Apple MS and most other providers build their apps and services on addiction principles
Notifications, alerts, sounds, targeted news feeds… All of these were designed to keep people addicted to their screens
If you haven’t watched it yet check out The Social Dilemma documentary
The obvious answer is to stop using them right now and switch to privacy respecting alternatives, also known as going cold turkey!
But this is not so easy for some. Addiction is also dependence
Turn off notifications
is the first piece of advice given by all of the designers featured in The Social Dilemma
Our devices do not have push notifications
You will be pleased to learn that all of our Devices do not have push notifications
Check your messages / apps when you need to and you will quickly learn to take back control
If you need push notifications then the specific app can be allowed to notify you (eg Signal messenger, Telegram FOSS, Mail)
It is still time to quit Facebook et al
Or at the very least change the way you use these services (ie no personal information)
Why not join the movement with thousands of others on Quit Facebook day on the 1st of October?
Like most of these addictions, after a week you wont miss it
Our Devices
New top quality Phones & Tablets
Upgrade Your Device
We can upgrade your device to a custom privacy ROM if you have a supported device. Check the store
Please reach out to us, comment on blog posts and most of all spread the word….
Privacy, Security and Freedom are for Everyone
Talk to Us!
Drop us a quick message with your questions. We’ll get back to you and help you with the next step!