I can’t remember, but I think I wanted to be sure anti-tracker extensions was after installing a new browser…otherwise you’d double your work. This is not an iPhone guide; later in the course we talk about getting a privacy-forward phone OS.

Thank you! You think I should create a degoogling megathread in /privacy? (Sorry, I’m new.)

I closed it yesterday so we’re all starting in the same place. If you give me your signal handle I can add you manually!

Thanks for your comment! I’m fairly new at this myself…I started degoogling, etc. maybe 2-3 years ago.

If it helps, this article has info on a service that lets you buy throwaway numbers for verifying accounts. I used it once and it worked, and cost only a couple bucks: How to Verify an Account Without Using Your Real Phone Number

I think you only need your number to verify Signal, right? If that’s the case, this could work. (Or can you use your MySudo number?) I hope it helps, and hope to see you in the group!

Sounds like you are a lot more advanved than me!

Yes, those look amazing and are next on my list!

Hi there! We’ll be following the checklist I linked to in the main post. It will be very casual, and we’ll all just do the best we can!

Appreciate it! If this goes well I might do a de-Amazon, Meta, Microsoft, or something else…or run this one again.

Thank you!

I’m only about 3/4 of the way through but I love it! I’m on a trip, but as soon as I get back I can’t wait to try this. I’ll also share it with some groups I’m in. THANK YOU.

We should even make a video where I interview you on some of these things for a MUCH less techie audience. There are a LOT of retired people I know who have money, they have time, and they hate what’s happening here…but I would never be able to convince them to do some of this stuff. And these people are ignored!

What do you think? I could ask the most very basic questions on why this is important, how to make it as simple as possible, etc. (I’m a semi-retired journalist so I have LOTS of experience interviewing. :)

I hope you’ll join my 5-week degoogle challenge! https://signal.group/#CjQKIPfv-Xa5mSVIES2Rwx5-8tQHT8wgADjmXXAp6Glu23V-EhCM50toN-KpLV4lXJg1TM3Q

Wow, thank you! I’ll check it out later!

Thanks! I recommended SimpleSearch because it’s good for people who can’t/don’t want to stop using Googl Search.

Fixed, thanks!

Thanks for the tips! Yeah, it’s hard to know where to draw the line, but since I’m focused on beginners, I figured these tools/platforms were the basics.

Good idea to bundle mail and calendar. I can do that with a few tweaks. And will fix the extra mention of uninstalling Chrome.

Thanks again!

Thank you…I’m CERTAIN I’ll need help!

May I suggest my free book DISENGAGE: Opting Out—and Finding New Options—to Reclaim Your Life from Spammers, Scammers, Intrusive Marketers and Big Tech?

I recommend the PDF because it has clear “try this now” actions and other sidebars. It’s written in a Dummies style (I used to write Dummies books and Idiot’s Guides. :)

Thanks! I de-Microsofted myself and have been using LibreOffice. Also don’t use Apple apps like Pages. I can switch other apps as needed.

Thank you! I wish I had sprung for the hardcopy edition of Extreme Privacy. I don’t have a rap sheet, I “have nothing to hide”…but it gives me a sense of peace feeling more in control of my data. (Oh, and I do run the Punching Up Press site, and I hope it doesn’t get to the point where I have to worry.

If I do something that actually lands me in the sights of the federal government, I’m sure it’s trivially easy for them to find me. I’m more anti-Big Tech, anti-surveillance out of principle, etc.

Because I already have a fairly new Mac. :) I bought it before I ever even thought of using a Linux OS.

Thanks! I had thought of that, but would like to hang on to my Mac. I just want it to be…not a Mac, I guess?

I considered cancelling my voter registration and then re-registering every election. However, the way things are going, I wonder if I will even be able to re-register in the future…