Topics include building a privacy-friendly smart doorbell, the importance of privacy in the digital age, the use of Linux and open source platforms for privacy protection, DNS privacy and enhancing performance, staying in control on proprietary platforms, exploring the pros and cons of Signal messaging, recommended distributions for a reliable PhD system, Linux distribution preferences, boosted donations and listener appreciation.
Using Linux as a secure platform can help protect privacy by offering control over data and system configurations.
DIY projects like an ESP32-based smart doorbell provide accessible and low-cost alternatives to commercial devices.
Recommendations for various private and secure tools, including DNS servers, VPN services, and secure messaging apps, aim to enhance privacy practices.
Deep dives
Summary of the Podcast Episode
The podcast episode discusses various privacy-friendly tools and practices that can be used to protect one's privacy online. The episode covers different areas ranging from secure messaging apps and two-factor authentication to privacy-focused DNS and file syncing solutions. The importance of using open-source and self-hosted tools is emphasized, along with recommendations for specific applications and platforms. The episode also highlights the need for privacy-conscious alternatives to popular social media platforms and video sharing websites. Overall, the episode provides valuable insights and recommendations for individuals looking to enhance their privacy and security online.
Privacy-Friendly ESP32 Smart Doorbell Using Home Assistant
The episode mentions a write-up about a privacy-friendly ESP32-based smart doorbell using Home Assistant for local integration. The project involves replacing an Amazon Ring Doorbell with a DIY device that streams video to a Home Assistant instance. The episode emphasizes the possibilities offered by ESP32 devices and highlights the accessibility and low cost of such projects.
Why Linux is a Secure Platform for Privacy Protection
The episode makes the case for Linux as a secure platform to protect privacy. The hosts discuss the advantages of using Linux over other operating systems, highlighting its open-source nature, lack of pre-installed vendor applications with analytics, and better control over data and system configurations. The episode emphasizes the importance of trusting the fundamental platforms used for applications and services and choosing Linux for privacy-conscious individuals.
Recommendations for Private and Secure Tools
The episode provides recommendations for various private and secure tools, including DNS servers, VPN services, email providers, cloud storage, and secure communication apps. The hosts highlight the importance of open-source software, strong encryption, and user control over data. They discuss options like Pi-hole and AdGuard for DNS filtering, ProtonDrive for cloud storage, and Simplex and Element for secure messaging. The episode aims to equip listeners with useful tools and resources to enhance their privacy practices.
Device Trust Solution for Secure Logins
Collide offers a device trust solution that ensures device security before allowing logins to apps, preventing potential issues before users connect.
Choosing a Reliable Distro for Long-Term Use
For those starting a long-term PhD program, Ubuntu-based distros with long-term support, such as Ubuntu LTS or Mint, are recommended for stability and reliability. Backups and restore snapshots can provide an easy path to revert changes and ensure uninterrupted work.
Privacy friendly ESP32 smart doorbell with Home Assistant local integration — This project is aimed at being simple while allowing a ton of customisation and flexibility. To get started, you’ll need an instance of Home Assistant running with the ESPHome add-on as well as the Home Assistant companion app on your mobile phone to receive notifications when someone presses the doorbell button.
The U.K. Government Is Dangerously Close to Eroding Encryption and Normalizing Mass Surveillance — "The U.K. government wants to grant itself the right to scan every message online for content related to child abuse or terrorism—and says it will still, somehow, magically, protect peoples’ privacy. That’s simply impossible. U.K. civil society groups have condemned the bill, as have technical experts and human rights groups around the world."
Snowflake ❄️ — Snowflake is a system that allows people from all over the world to access censored websites and applications. Similar to how VPNs assist users in getting around Internet censorship, Snowflake helps you avoid being noticed by Internet censors by making your Internet activity appear as though you're using the Internet for a regular video or voice call.
Pi-hole – Network-wide Ad Blocking — Instead of browser plugins or other software on each computer, install Pi-hole in one place and your entire network is protected.
UnifiedPush — UnifiedPush is a set of specifications and tools that lets the user choose how push notifications* are delivered. All in a free and open source way.
EteSync - Secure Data Sync — Secure, end-to-end encrypted, and privacy respecting sync for your contacts, calendars, tasks and notes.
Nextcloud + DAVx5 — DAVx⁵ has been successfully tested with Nextcloud.
Syncthing — Syncthing is a continuous file synchronization program. It synchronizes files between two or more computers in real time, safely protected from prying eyes. Your data is your data alone and you deserve to choose where it is stored, whether it is shared with some third party, and how it’s transmitted over the internet.
Send — Send lets you share files with end-to-end encryption and a link that automatically expires. So you can keep what you share private and make sure your stuff doesn’t stay online forever.
nitter: Alternative Twitter front-end — A free and open source alternative Twitter front-end focused on privacy and performance.
Inspired by the Invidious project.
NewPipe - a free YouTube client — NewPipe has been created with the purpose of getting the original YouTube experience on your smartphone without annoying ads and questionable permissions.
yattee — Privacy-oriented video player for iOS, tvOS and macOS
libredirect — A browser extension that redirects YouTube, Twitter, TikTok... requests to alternative privacy friendly frontends and backends.
Nix-on-Droid — Nix-on-Droid brings Nix package manager of NixOS fame to your mobile device.
InvidTUI — InvidTUI is an invidious client, which fetches data from invidious instances and displays a user interface in the terminal, and allows for selecting and playing Youtube audio and video.
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode