For example, I have been using Google or Apple for 7 years, and seeing that I was fingerprinted, tracked through third-party cookies, etc. I want to switch to a more private option.
But is it worth it? They know about me, they have now AI that can just use the behavior pattern for the last 7 years and still track me.
Again the question comes, should I become “privacy-focused” despite my data before I was “privacy-focused” used and sold?
‘Should i bother installing door locks? Someone’s already been in my house’
Yes. They have everything up to X date. Protect your future
Good point!
The best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago. The second best time is now.
Other comments have convinced me but you gave the best reply.
no time like the present
Yes, because even though your data might have been used and shared in the past, over time that data will become more and more irrelevant especially as you stop using privacy invasive services. For example, if you stopped using ALL Meta services, that profile of you that they have will eventually become very old and outdated and useless as they can not really sell it for targeted ads or anything as not only is it old, you are not even on any of the platforms to be served ads to begin with.
Well… I am still on YouTube, no good gaming videos on Rumble and Odysee.
there are youtube frontends and apps that proxy videos anonymously so you can’t be tracked at all
I use freetube on desktop there’s also libretube and newpipe on android
I also started using New Pipe, i like how I can download an HD video without youtube premium
It depends on your threat model. Do you think Google knowing your video watching preference is dangerous? For me I don’t care if Google knows my music and video preferences in general. If I’m watching things that I don’t want Google to know I use Newpipe on a VPN. But sensitive document uploaded to Google drive? Not anymore.
You absolutely should. With time, the data they have on you will grow outdated, meaning they won’t be able to track an analyze your behaviour because they’ll have no idea how you behave now. It’s like the trail going cold. Hell, just becoming privacy focused already makes it near-impassible to be tracked, and since privacy-aware software doesn’t track, collect, sell or buy your data, what little they have will be much less useful. Also, if you live in the EU, the GDPR gives you a right to request the deletion of all data they have on you, and they must comply. Most other places probably also have laws in place to request the deletion of your data.
Should I apply pressure to a wound despite already having lost a lot of blood
Of course. Very few people here would have been privacy conscious when they first started using the internet. There will inevitably be some amount of data available about all of us. The key thing to realise about privacy is that it is generally more about damage limitation/mitigation rather than outright prevention.
Should you quit smoking even though you’ve already been smoking for 7 years?
Better to not have started smoking, but still good to stop now.
The longer you go without giving new data, the less useful your old data will be. 6 months without new data? Not that big of a difference. 6 years without new data? Now that’s a big deal.
If you found out that your mechanic had been ripping you off for the last 7 years, would you keep going to them for car repairs just because you’d already lost so much money to them?
It’s not just about the practical aspects, it’s about the principle. The big corpos make money from selling your data, do you really want to keep helping them make money off you after finding out how they do it?
I came here to make the same smoking analogy.
I can think of a couple decent reasons I think yes:
- Assuming you still have a life, you are still generating new data. Think about how someone who knew you 5 years ago but hasn’t seen you since would probably not know much about you today, specifically regarding the day-to-day stuff companies use for ads.
- If you think what data companies are doing is wrong, then you could start caring about privacy just to send a message.
- If you live in the EU you could use GDPR to request that they delete your data. I don’t know if Apple and Google have been known to comply with GDPR but it could be worth a shot.
AI needs constant data to stay up to date, so i think it’s still worth it.
Personally I’ve found a happy medium between total privacy and convenience.
Yes. the you that is most valuable to others, is you, as you are today, so right now is a perfectly fine time to embrace privacy focused practices!
Everyone should be more aware, custom ROMs, Linux, Foss applications, use Foss YouTube clients, privacy focused email account and tor browser, VPN if possible, torrent things you want to watch rather than Netflix, use cash not card and definitely do not add cards to your mobile devices. People need to stop using non-pirvacy respecting service as it negatively impacts everyone.
But I also understand that some will knowingly give information for “convenience”. We all need to do our part in writing history. Vote with our attention, wallets .
Also in ops position, google, apple and all these products are gathering data for advertising, if your not seeing the adverts from your previous habits then that information is somewhat worthless so yes be privacy focused, using adblocker count towards you privacy. Good luck in your journey op
Don’t fall for the “it’s already bad, so it doesn’t matter” way of thinking. That’s how companies nowadays prevent us from fighting back for our rights.
i forgot the exact duration but in the military, if you capture an enemy and fail to extract information in the first few days he’s useless as information source. consider yourself a freed POW, and every day that passes and you become a more intelligent, interested person and find new things you enjoy or don’t enjoy, big tech’s residual information is less valuable
If you were sitting on a hot iron, would you not jump off just because you’d already sustained third-degree burns?
That data may have been harvested, but that’s no reason to continue the trend.
