The Lockdown - Practical Privacy & Security

In this episode, we dive into Apple’s latest privacy retreat with the removal of Advanced Data Protection (ADP) for iCloud in the UK. We break down why Apple made this move, how ADP works, and what it means for users who care about encryption and data security. If you’re in the UK and using Apple’s ecosystem, this episode is a must-listen as I cover strategies to keep your data secure despite Apple’s decision.In this week’s episode:The UK’s Investigatory Powers ActA technical breakdown of how iCloud ADP was supposed to protect user data.Alternatives to iCloud, including Nextcloud, GrapheneOS, and secure backups.Threat Modeling & The Privacy SpectrumListener Questions, addressing concerns about online privacy, social media exposure, and what to do when friends dismiss security risks.Show Links:Apple pulls data protection tool (BBC News) - https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cgj54eq4vejoApple Intelligence - https://www.macrumors.com/2025/02/11/apple-intelligence-re-enabled-in-latest-updates/pfSense Guide - https://psysecure.com/complete-setup-guide-to-pfSenseNextcloud Guide - https://psysecure.com/self-hosting-nextlcoudMöbius Sync - https://mobiussync.com/Obsidian - https://obsidian.md/“The right to privacy is not merely a right to secrecy. It is a right to control information about oneself.”- AnonymousPodcast music: The R3cluse

In this week’s episode, we take a deep dive into Session, a private messaging app, with its co-founder Kee Jefferys. We discuss the philosophy behind Session, its technical architecture, and the broader implications of privacy in a world increasingly hostile to anonymous communication. Kee shares insights on the importance of decentralized networks, the risks of phone number-based messaging, and the role of cryptocurrency in supporting private infrastructure.We also touch on operational security (OPSEC), the real-world challenges of getting people to adopt privacy tools, and how Session is working to improve usability while maintaining strong privacy protections.In this week’s episode:Session Private Messenger – Kee Jefferys explains the origins of Session, its core principles, and how it differs from mainstream messaging apps.The Future of Privacy – Discussion on surveillance, government censorship, and the increasing crackdown on privacy tools.Decentralized Messaging – How Session uses a global network of nodes to provide anonymous and resilient communication.Session Pro & Sustainability – Monetization strategies for Session and how the network sustains itself without compromising user privacy.Avoiding the Privacy Valley of Despair – How privacy-conscious users can avoid burnout and find a practical balance.Censorship & Government Interference – Addressing Russia’s blocking of Session nodes and strategies to bypass censorship.Show Links:Download Session - https://getsession.orgSession Lite Paper - https://getsession.org/litepaperSupport the Show on Patreon - https://patreon.com/TheLockdownFollow Kee on X - https://x.com/JefferysKeeUntil they become conscious they will never rebel, and until after they have rebelled they cannot become conscious.- George Orwell, 1984Podcast music: The R3cluse

In this week's episode we dive deep into both the psychological and privacy implications of social media apps. I reflect on my observations during recent travels, and explore how social media platforms are distorting human connections while simultaneously collecting vast amounts of personal data.The episode also tackles the technical aspects of email systems to the limitations of encrypted messaging apps, providing practical advice for maintaining privacy.In this week's episode:Listener Questions - Deep dive into pfSense vs OPNsense, mobile VPN usage, and dealing with license plate readersSocial Media Privacy - Analysis of social media's psychological impact and privacy issues with data collection practicesProper Account Deletion - Step-by-step guide for securely deleting social media accountsSock Puppet Accounts - Maintaining anonymous online identitiesEmail Privacy - Historical perspective and current state of email securityWhatsApp Security - A discussion on encryption and device securityShow Links:Support the Show on Patreon - https://patreon.com/TheLockdownGrapheneOS - https://grapheneos.orgThe Neuroscience of Engagement - https://medium.com/design-bootcamp/the-neuroscience-of-engagement-b50531a9313b"The right information at the right time is deadlier than any weapon."- Dolores Abernathy (Westworld)

This week on The Lockdown, The Practical Privacy & Security Podcast, we’re kicking off the new year with reflections, updates, and a deep dive into key privacy issues that are shaping 2025. From privacy settings on iOS and GrapheneOS, to AI assistants and their potential privacy pitfalls, this episode covers practical advice, insights, and solutions for everyday users. Additionally, I explore new state-level privacy laws across the U.S. and what they mean for both businesses and individuals.In this week’s episode:Reflecting on personal privacy practices and professional projects.A look at U.S. state privacy regulations taking effect in 2025.Privacy and security implications of voice assistants like Siri, Alexa, and Google Assistant.Detailed privacy settings for iOS and why GrapheneOS is the better alternative.AI assistants like ChatGPT and Claude, and their risks.Privacy concerns with vehicles, focusing on data leaks and constant surveillance.The intersection of cybersecurity and OSINT in modern attacks.Show Links:Apple offers $95 million in Siri privacy violation settlementAmazon to pay $31 million in privacy violation penalties for Alexa voice assistant and Ring cameraNulide / FindMyDevice · GitLabBritish journalist could face years in prison for refusing to hand over his passwords to the police - Il Fatto QuotidianoVolkswagen EV data leak exposes personal information of 3.3 million peopleTesla data helped police after Las Vegas truck explosion, but experts have wider privacy concernsSupport this show: https://www.patreon.com/c/TheLockdownOfficial website: https://psysecure.com/podcast/"If you want to keep a secret, you must also hide it from yourself."-George OrwellPodcast music: The R3cluse 

In this episode I speak with Luke Mulks, who is the VP of Business Operations at Brave Software. We discuss the privacy concerns over traditional web-based ads, and why Brave is offering a privacy-first alternative. Show Links:Brave Software:  https://brave.com/podcast/ The Brave Technologist Podcast: https://brave.com/podcast/"Well who's gonna monitor the monitors of the monitors?" - Carla Dean (Enemy of the State)Podcast music: Recluse by Ray Heffer  

Discover the essentials of starting your privacy journey by deleting social media accounts, particularly Facebook. Explore tools like LibreWolf, Brave, and GrapheneOS for enhanced security. The conversation covers comparing Pixel and iPhone privacy features and insights into using AI while safeguarding personal data. Learn practical strategies for password management and secure communication, making online safety accessible for everyone. Simplifying privacy doesn’t have to be overwhelming—embrace the basics!

Discover essential tools for maintaining privacy during natural disasters, including iOS 18’s satellite messaging and Starlink for reliable connectivity. Delve into self-hosting with Nextcloud, focusing on file sync and data privacy. Learn about the critical Firefox vulnerability and why switching to LibreWolf might be a safer choice. Explore advanced home network setups and the importance of robust backup solutions using Backblaze B2 and Restic, all while ensuring your personal data remains secure.

In this episode, we have a special guest, Tyler Murphy, co-founder of EasyOptOuts, a data removal service focused on helping people remove their personal information from publicly accessible people search sites. Tyler discusses the inspiration behind EasyOptOuts, the challenges of maintaining privacy in a world of constant data breaches, and offers insights into data removal from various brokers. This conversation is packed with advice for anyone looking to regain control over their online privacy.In this week’s episode:Tyler shares how EasyOptOuts was founded, the challenges faced, and their mission to make data removal accessible.Discussion on the widespread availability of personal data on people search sites and the complexities of removing it.Insights into how EasyOptOuts automates data removal, and comparisons with manual removal processes.The challenges posed by bot detection, CAPTCHAs, and deceptive removal processes that often require membership or payment.The potential implications of data breaches, evolving bot detection, and the future of digital identity verification.Tyler shares his own privacy techniques, including the use of VPNs, alias names, and minimizing data exposure online.EasyOptOuts approach to scaling their service, future plans for business and family tiers, and their commitment to remaining a two-person operation.Show Links:EasyOptOuts - https://www.easyoptouts.com/Imagine, then, this situation where we have the huge electronic intercommunication so that everybody is in touch with everybody else in such a way that it reveals their inmost thoughts, and there is no longer any individuality. No privacy. Everything you are, everything you think is revealed to everyone. - Alan WattsPodcast music: Recluse by Ray Heffer

In today’s show, I discuss the National Public Data (NPD) breach, which contains 2.7 billion records, including the social security numbers of US residents. I cover how to check if your SSN is part of the breach and emphasize the importance of setting up a credit freeze for yourself and your kids. I also explore some useful tools for searching large datasets and share my thoughts on a Reddit post.In this week's episode:On the brink of giving up!Using OnlyOffice as a Google Docs alternativeNational Public Data (NPD) breachRipgrep (rg) and Silver Searcher (ag) tools for searching massive datasetsCredit freezesBest efforts for Windows 11 privacyElevenTray, a useful utility to always show Windows 11 tray iconsShow Links:Simplewall - https://github.com/henrypp/simplewallElevenTray - https://github.com/locksec/eleventrayOnlyOffice - https://www.onlyoffice.com/LibreOffice - https://www.libreoffice.org/Credit Freeze Guide - https://inteltechniques.com/freeze.htmlCredit Freeze for Kids:Equifax - https://www.equifax.com/personal/education/identity-theft/articles/-/learn/freezing-your-childs-credit-report-faq/(800)685-1111Equifax Security Freeze, PO Box 105788, Atlanta, Georgia 30348Experian - https://www.experian.com/help/minor-request.html(888)397-3742Experian Security Freeze. PO Box 9554, Allen, TX 75013TransUnion - https://www.transunion.com/credit-freeze/credit-freeze-faq#freeze-other-minor-0(888)909-8872TransUnion, P.O. Box 380, Woodlyn, PA 19094https://www.transunion.com/credit-disputes/child-identity-theft-inquiry-form> I know why you're here, Neo. I know what you've been doing... why you hardly sleep, why you live alone, and why night after night, you sit by your computer. - Trinity (The Matrix)Podcast music: Recluse by Ray Heffer 

This week I respond to a few listener questions, primarily around the use of social media as a privacy enthusiast. Love it or hate it, you can guess which camp I'm in, social media like LinkedIn has almost become a requirement for job searches, employers, and connecting with other professionals. I also touch on OPSEC for OSINT, a new talk track I am planning to present in the future. It's important for all of us to maintain better Operational Security (OPSEC). Finally, I share my latest blog post: Venturing into AI Security with Locally Hosted LLMs, and why locally hosted AI is essential for privacy.In this week's episode:Redacting  ███ in your social media profilesMinimizing the use of profile photosAlways assume private profiles are NEVER privateAddiction to social media and down regulation of the dopamine receptorsMore on custom domainsOperational Security for OSINT professionalsLocally hosted LLMs for private AIData (PII) leakage with ChatGPTShow Links:ChatGPT Privacy Issue - https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2023/12/22/technology/openai-chatgpt-privacy-exploit.htmlBrain anatomy alterations associated with Social Networking addiction - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5362930/AI Security with Locally Hosted LLMs - https://lockdown.media/ai-security-with-llmsExpired Domains - https://www.expireddomains.net/SimpleLogin - https://simplelogin.io/Because you made a phone call.- Brill (Enemy of the State)Podcast music: Recluse by Ray Heffer