Today I was contacted by someone at work. She graduated school with me and our 20 year reunion was coming up. Why did she contact me at work? It was the only way they were able to track me down. I was included in promotional material by name. She told me I "was the hardest to track down"and I had to smile.
This is just a small anecdote about privacy practices and their real life impact (and how your employer can undo all of it, I guess)
Call me pessimistic, but I do think:
- Privacy is an illusion.
- Control is an illusion (a reference to Mr. Robot).
Certainly, we can do a lot to have more privacy, but it is an illusion to think that we have complete control over it. Especially with social media, jobs, and today’s technology.
You’re right, but that doesn’t mean we have to give up completely.
I’ve come to realize most of the privacy hawk arguments are based on imagined risks, and the average privacy enthusiast is an ideologically driven idealist. What is the end goal beyond pumping one’s ego?
Especially internet privacy hawks are the worst. It just doesn’t really matter at all. Unless you are all cash, off the grid, no phone or bank account etc, you will leave a huge trail. Instagram figuring out I like basketball is the least of my worries.
Most aren’t going to thwart governments, serious policing, private investigations or very determined individuals. But they will reduce their exposure to advertising and online profiling. We are bombarded with soon many businesses try to constantly sell things and manipulate the way we think and act for thier own profit. Privacy is a series of small acts that can reduce hostile businesses effectiveness.
Yep. My only real goal is to reduce the amount of advertising I’m exposed to on a daily basis, and to that end it’s working…for now.
No cable, no streaming services, no broadcast radio, automated downloads of media, ad blockers everywhere, DNS sinkhole, etc. Thankfully, it’s all low maintenance once in place.
Hello friend
I had this argument with my boss and lost. They made all of us take photos that they posted on the company website. I said I’m working pretty hard on making myself invisible and don’t appreciate being forced to out myself like this. Tough shit. My name picture and contact info are out there for all to see.
They showed you how much they value you: less than a name and photo on their website. Sorry, bruv. I wish they had respected your wishes.
What the fuck? Where are you from? That would be illegal in germany. If you don’t want to be in the internet, they can’t just force you.
I think this would be illegal in California too
My 10y reunion is coming up, and im like 99% sure that nobody will be able to find me lol.
Im not in contact with anyone, and ive even changed my name and as far as i know none of them know the new one either :')In terms of online presence I think one has to be careful about becoming too private - at what point do you become so untrackable that even people you would like to find you (I.e. old friends) can’t anymore.
i really don’t want old friends or distant family finding me though
Agreed. If I am not in contact with you there is a reason.
I would fully like to erase my online presence. I dont want people seeking me out.
I have a website that shows up when someone searches my name on the internet and an email there. This way people are able to contact me and I don’t have to use any spyware like Facebook.
But whether that works for you depends on your threat model, I guess.
Anyone can be found, the only question is how much effort people are willing to put into finding them.
Can you help find Jan Marsalek?
He has been found in Russia living with a fake identity of an orthodox priest, likely facilitated by the FSB.
At least she didn’t hire a private investigator.
A human hunting for you can be pretty effective.
Worlds most dangerous game
I guess you can ask her how she managed to track you… later on do the necessary adjustments.
It may not always be good to be invisible. You could make a website for yourself sich that people can find you and contact you. You can tgen decide if you want to write back. E.g a mastodon account would be enough. You don’t gave to blog with that acc.
Personally, I think being impervious to damage is a great thing 😂
Shit 😂
I would be pissed and just say “that was on purpose, fuck you”.
