Evict Your Creepy & Unused Apps NOW! (Digital Detox Part 1)
Dec 22, 2022
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In this chat, Kelly Carlin, an author and life coach known for her work in The Sacred and the Profane community, helps us tackle digital clutter. She and the host discuss practical steps to remove unused apps that can compromise our privacy. They dive into the sneaky tactics of tech companies that exploit personal data, revealing a history of privacy invasions. Kelly also shares insights on balancing tech use with mental well-being, emphasizing the importance of mindfulness and reconnecting with nature to combat digital addiction.
Regularly uninstalling unused apps can significantly enhance online privacy by minimizing potential data exposure and security vulnerabilities.
Integrating privacy-centric tools like DuckDuckGo into your digital habits is crucial for safeguarding personal data from invasive collection practices.
Deep dives
Maximizing Privacy with Apps
Utilizing privacy-centric applications is essential for safeguarding personal data online. DuckDuckGo is highlighted as a comprehensive privacy solution that offers a private search engine, data clearing options, email protection, and more, all at no cost. The podcast emphasizes the importance of recognizing that every action online is monitored, advocating for tools that enhance user privacy. By integrating tools like DuckDuckGo into daily digital habits, individuals can significantly reduce their digital footprint.
Digital Detox: Assessing Smartphone Usage
Reducing smartphone usage can directly enhance online privacy by limiting data collection from apps. A recommended exercise involves assessing all installed applications, uninstalling those that are unused, and reflecting on the necessity of each remaining app. Specifically, the importance of removing social media apps is stressed due to their potential to compromise personal data. This practice not only helps streamline device contents but also fosters safer digital habits by minimizing exposure to possible security vulnerabilities.
Developing Mindful Usage Habits
Establishing mindful smartphone habits is crucial in mitigating distractions and enhancing overall well-being. The podcast suggests consistently using screen time management features on both Apple and Android devices to limit daily app usage. Moreover, removing social media apps from the home screen or signing out can deter mindless checking, helping individuals reclaim their time and focus. By incorporating these strategies, users can cultivate a more intentional relationship with technology.
Understanding Data Collection Practices
Awareness of data collection practices among tech companies is essential for protecting personal privacy. The podcast discusses various instances where companies altered their terms of service to justify invasive data collection, often without user consent. Through examples like Google’s Street View incident, it illustrates the ongoing trend of companies prioritizing profit over user privacy. Understanding these practices empowers individuals to make more informed decisions about the technology they choose to engage with.
In this week's episode, we give you a two-step exercise to help you get rid of unused apps and think critically about how you use the ones you keep.
Once a month, make sure you grab some time to remove any of the unused apps on your phone. Each one represents a potential opportunity for fascists or weirdos to access your information and maybe even your microphone.
All this, and Roger returns to explain a vicious cycle between tech companies who "borrow" your data, and the media that covers their borrowing.
Plus! Kelly Carlin joins us to talk about her recommendations for living mindfully and managing the digital clutter that's attempting to consume our lives.
Book Your Privacy Audit with BJ: Email BJMendelson@Duck.com
In this confidential, one on one call (conducted through Signal), BJ will walk you through all 23 steps that you should follow to better protect yourself from fascists and weirdos on the Internet. Then, a week later, he will follow up to answer any questions you might have and troubleshoot if/as needed.