This section is potentially going to touch on some sensitive topics. It’s not fun to learn about some of the surveillance capabilities our electronics have. If you use any of these technologies, there’s no need to panic. Rather, take some time to consider whether it might feel good to make some changes.
- It is recommended to remove all smart devices like Alexa and Google Home from your house.
- Despite what Amazon, Apple, and Google say, these devices have the ability to listen to you 100% of the time. This has been proven through evidence provided in court cases.
- Smart TVs:
- Almost all TVs sold today are smart TVs. They are known to be somewhat invasive to your privacy.
- If you wish to take steps to reduce this, there are some harm reduction tips here: Harm Reducing/Replacing your Smart TV.
- There is also possibly a microphone in the remote. If there is, it likely has the ability to be remotely activated just like Google Home and Alexa.
- This one is pretty important. Please for the love of all your friends and loved ones, get rid of your doorbell cam.
- Ring and other doorbell cam companies are openly allowing ICE and the police access to their data (without warrants). Your data is not private and cannot be made private.
- Please, please, please do not help the cops and ICE develop their mass surveillance capabilities.
- Speaking of cameras, there are currently no commercially-available encrypted options for security cameras. The footage is potentially available to anyone who works at that company, as well as anyone with decent hacking skills (obviously including the US government). These devices are not keeping you safe. They are putting you and immigrants and your friends at risk.
- If your car has internet or phone connectivity (many newer cars), it is important to go into the privacy settings and set them as private as possible.
- It is hard to disable all of the privacy invasive features without actually removing certain components of the car. Do not have highly sensitive conversations in your car. Be aware that the location of your car can likely be tracked through this connectivity.
Surveillance Devices, Part Two...Our Phones:
This section is probably going to be even more sensitive than the previous section. Do you need to take a deep breath? Drink some water? Get up and stretch?
Alright, let’s rip off the bandaid. Our phones are incredibly powerful surveillance devices that collect data about us that is used to track us and manipulate how we think and act. We should not take this lightly, even though most of us have become desensitized to it over time (or maybe have never even known a time without it). Our phones have been designed to act this way, and they are very good at it. It is not an accident.
- If your phone has a digital assistant you can access through a voice command such as "Hello Google" or "Hey Siri", it is important to disable that feature. This feature makes it even easier for your phone to listen to you 100% of the time (just like Google Home or Alexa). Having this enabled is potentially putting people in your life at risk.
- It is best to treat your phone as if it has the ability to listen to you and know your location at all times.
- The steps required to completely prevent this are pretty involved (turning off your microphone and location is beneficial, but is far from a guarantee).
- If you need to have a sensitive conversation or go somewhere without being tracked, it is best to leave your phone at home.
- If you are traveling and need it with you, you can turn it off and place it inside a Faraday bag. Have someone help you test the Faraday bag by placing your phone inside it (turned on) and having them call you. The call should go directly to voicemail, which is a decent indication the bag is working.
- ICE now has a tool that has access to all of the location data collected from your phone and apps. They are using this tool to locate, kidnap, and deport people without due process. All they need to do is enter an address, a name, or a device ID and the tool shows them all available location data that matches the search. It truly is just as easy for them as it is for you to do an internet search. They can also easily use the tool against US citizens and almost certainly are.
- Our courts (if you’re still placing any faith in them) have shown absolutely zero willingness to limit use of this tool.
- Here are some links about this capability:
If you’ve done at least a couple things from each section so far, you’re kicking ass. You are now more private and safe as you use the internet and your phone. You’re helping fight invasive surveillance technology from big tech companies. That rules. :)
If you’ve made it this far, it’s definitely time for a break. Step away from the site and do something that makes you feel joy or comfort. You can come back in a couple days. We only have a few more things to chat about before we wrap up.