FTA: Think what a hostile legal team would make of your message history.
I’ll admit I’m torn on the data part of that discussion. Definitely, it’s time to move off “other people’s computers” for mail servers, or at least onto something that, credibly, protects your data in a privacy-friendly jurisdiction. But outright deleting records of my personal history? That’s a hard one for me. It seems a lot to ask to not leave a written trail, even if for my own recollection.
If it comes to it, even hand-written messages and recollections, notes and so forth can be called on for investigations.
If you install the DuckDuckGo browser on your phone, it runs an app-tracking blocker. This blocks data being sent from apps (even when you’re not using them). It logs the results, and it can be quite an eye-opener.
I think of it as a layer of protection - to be used in addition to the excellent suggestions so far.
You don’t have to use the DuckDuckGo browser for this to work - you only need it installed.
If you also want to use a VPN, this feature will be disabled automatically when the VPN connects. You’ll have to manually re-enable it after the VPN disconnects.
ETA: the blocker also can give permission to apps, on an app-by-app basis. Some apps are already allowed by default. Check the settings after you’ve installed it.
A reminder why NextDoor is a hive of scum and villainy, more like.
People should get more comfortable with discord for that kind of socializing. Whatsapp etc. don’t use things with public visibility and invite people directly only.
Yeah, that’s why discord is my preferred social media these days. Only self-selected groups that need invitation. It feels like a happy medium between a text thread and something like Twitter or Facebook.
Email sent to me by my godmother:>
Hi All, I’m not going to be sending a lot of these out, unless one of you says you’d like it, but these are things we can do right now to at least hobble some of the Trump admin’s intents:
Call your senators - urge them to press the Biden administration to fill the empty judicial slots. There are at least 29 unfilled lifetime appointments to judgeships.
Call your house rep - vote NO on HB 9495. Here’s why, from Indivisible:
In case you missed our email last week, here’s the short version: H.R. 9495 would allow Trump’s Treasury Department to label any nonprofit (including human rights groups, civil liberties orgs, universities, student groups, even Indivisible Civics) a “terrorist supporting organization” and strip it of its tax-exempt status.
This bill requires no oversight. No due process. No justification. In Trump’s hands, it would be a weapon of mass destruction against dissent.
Is my call really needed (part 1)?
Last week, Republicans tried to rush through this legislation by voting under a “suspension of the rules.” That meant the bill needed a 2/3 majority to pass**.**
This week, they’re doing it the standard way, meaning it’ll only need a simple majority to go through. So although we defeated the bill 256-145 the first time around, this time 256 votes will be more than enough to pass it. We cannot assume that everyone who voted “no” last time will stand strong again, and we need to peel away some of those yes votes. So it’s vital we keep up the pressure.
Wow, that is an amazing resource.
Bookmarked, thanks.
Now it can be told!
They’ve got a great documentary list linked at the bottom of their reading list as well: