The Privacy Dad

I write a digital diary of my privacy journey as a non-IT person and parent.

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theprivacydad@social-linux-pizza.mostr.pub

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nprofile1qqsrtcn72drwerzhncvg95qvznm2fnz577szg0d5a5hx47c44m8mjzspz3mhxue69uhhyetvv9ujuerpd46hxtnfduqs6amnwvaz7tmwdaejumr0dsymuhdj

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relay.damus.io

nos.lol

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npub1xh38u56xajx908scstgqc98k5nx9faaqys7mfmfwdta3ttk0hy9q82luv2

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Last Notes

2026-05-09 18:16:48 UTC

A special guest post by one of the Privacy Kids!
Droidian is an awesome system that runs quite smoothly with occasional crashes and occasional discrepancies.
https://theprivacydad.com/droidian-an-awesome-phone-os-for-patient-people-guest-post/
#linuxonmobile #hightide #flare #droidian #linux #privacy
@nprofile…3pmx @nprofile…3g8j @nprofile…ey4n @nprofile…g84e @nprofile…jmg2

2026-05-09 11:29:00 UTC

Just started a subscription with https://uruky.com/, a privacy-first search engine.
With some tweaks, the experience is really good, and support from the husband-and-wife team excellent!
#privacy #digitalprivacy #searchengine #uruky #EU

2026-04-17 14:39:50 UTC

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@nprofile…f9ka @nprofile…k3vj Well, that's a great option too, in my opinion. I'm glad some of those organisations have started doing that!

2026-04-17 11:26:23 UTC

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@nprofile…k3vj @nprofile…f9ka I recognise all of that too. The quibbles seem to go both ways for some reason; I wish Graphene would drop it and let their excellent product speak for itself. I don't now why they are so concerned about marketing.

2026-04-17 11:12:24 UTC

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@nprofile…f9ka @nprofile…k3vj ok, I see. The article I wrote is aimed at people who don't know how to or don't feel familiar with flashing a custom ROM. It's intended as a first step.
About the bootloader, it is my understanding (I could be wrong, I should add!) that if you walk around with an unlocked phone, then someone who finds it and has the know-how could quite easily get into your phone (with your data on it).

2026-04-17 10:38:48 UTC

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@nprofile…f9ka @nprofile…k3vj I have used those methods too, especially on kids' phones. One issue is that you have to leave the bootloader unlocked with /e/OS, which is not secure. As second is that it's not entirely clear what is or what isn't happening with Google services on /e/OS; not technical enough to understand. My own phone is GrapheneOS atm.

2026-04-17 10:26:02 UTC

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@nprofile…nvkf @nprofile…rm8q @nprofile…fu0r Well, I don't, for one.

2026-04-17 00:48:34 UTC

It is ironic that the European Commission has introduced a verification method by which its citizens must have their smartphones with them all the time.
https://theprivacydad.com/a-first-look-at-the-eu-age-verification-app/
#eu #ageverification #mobilephones #privacy @nprofile…rm8q @nprofile…fu0r

2026-04-16 19:02:24 UTC

I’m confused as to why Von der Leyen is referring to “an app” (3:05 min) in her Age Verification announcement this week (https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/stories/M-009975).
I doesn't read like there will be one app for all EU citizens:
“One common set of standards and specifications, many different wallets”
“Every Member State will need to provide its citizens with at least one EUDI wallet.”
“Start building your EU Digital Identity Wallet solutions”
https://ec.europa.eu/digital-building-blocks/sites/spaces/EUDIGITALIDENTITYWALLET/pages/869793973/Technical+Specifications
She (or her writers) should have said “software protocol” or something like that.
Transcript is here: https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/statement_26_800
#eu #ageverification #vonderleyen @nprofile…fu0r @nprofile…zwk0 @nprofile…rm8q

2026-04-16 16:49:23 UTC

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@nprofile…twht
https://devices.ubuntu-touch.io/device/fp3/

2026-04-15 22:36:30 UTC

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@nprofile…xzj6 Good to know, and lots of info in the video!

2026-04-15 22:20:45 UTC

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@nprofile…fupw @nprofile…wn4u Hi there, you've gone a bit deeper with this approach than I have! I think if you want to go that far, then I'd probably just try something like #grapheneos instead.
It seems to be that any type of factory reset will just start you from scratch though.

2026-04-15 22:16:23 UTC

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@nprofile…42ek Thanks, and good to know!

2026-04-15 19:23:47 UTC

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@nprofile…k3vj I'll have to look into what Shizuku does. Thanks for the tip.
One concern here is of course https://keepandroidopen.org/

2026-04-15 18:49:56 UTC

Disabling Google's default apps on Android can help reduce your exposure to Google's data mining system somewhat, while their open source alternatives are generally excellent.
https://theprivacydad.com/using-android-without-a-google-account-in-2026/
#android #google #privacy #opensource

2026-04-13 00:46:23 UTC

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@nprofile…qrdz @nprofile…ry84 Wow, pricey!

2026-04-12 18:35:20 UTC

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@nprofile…qrdz So tidy! What kind of amp is that?

2026-04-12 17:55:29 UTC

Current: @nprofile…k2mn interviews EFF Executive Director Cindy Cohn:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-PFv0ki3nDc
#privacy #eff @nprofile…z4df

2026-04-12 16:30:45 UTC

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@nprofile…lz9j Btw, I still need to read it myself, but I've just added your book to the Books category too. It's on my (long) to-read list!

2026-04-12 15:33:00 UTC

This post is a placeholder for any potential discussion or feedback on my blog's links page: https://theprivacydad.com/links/

2026-04-11 23:26:03 UTC

@nprofile…8d0p reminded me of these great comparison and history charts:
https://eylenburg.github.io/index.html
#eylenburg #software #comparisoncharts

2026-04-03 08:54:50 UTC

This was a great interview! It's reassuring to hear such a sensible, no-nonsense attitude coming from all three of you throughout the interview. That kind of balanced approach (different people are in different places regarding privacy and have different needs) is so needed in the privacy discussion spaces. Thanks for everything you guys do @nprofile…ntm0 @nprofile…z4df @nprofile…lz9j @nprofile…k2mn !
#podcast #digitalprivacy #balance #criticalthinking

2026-03-25 21:55:38 UTC

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@nprofile…k7ew @nprofile…mvft
Nice post - thanks for the write-up. I like your blog's layout and design!

2026-03-25 21:52:34 UTC

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@nprofile…7ecm That was a very click-bait-y title, which the article does not deliver on. The article also doesn't mention that the process of verifying student work and challenging authenticity of submitted work is time-consuming and tends to sour the student-teacher and teacher-parent relationship.

2026-03-22 11:37:25 UTC

I had a conversation with a friend who lives in Australia today. He said that his family members with teenage kids are saying that it’s ‘business as usual’ for Australian teens on social media. They find workarounds that quickly get shared amongst them. I wonder if the Australian government will do an assessment of the impact of their recent ban. It would be cynical if they didn’t.
Coincidentally, this came up in my news feed today as well:
https://www.bbc.com/news/videos/cq8g9y5x1llo
#socialmedia #socialmediaban #Australia #teenagers #parenting #ageverification

2026-03-18 21:21:00 UTC

Google Says Developer Verification Makes Android Safer. Critics Say It Just Makes Android More Closed
https://itsfoss.com/news/android-developer-verification/
“Under the new rules, F-Droid has no workable path forward. Compelling volunteer contributors to register their identities with Google runs against what the platform stands for.
“But claiming those app identifiers on developers’ behalf is equally impossible, since that would give F-Droid a kind of exclusive ownership over apps it has no right to own.
“F-Droid has been clear that if Google goes through this, it effectively ends the project as it currently exists.”
#foss #android #opensource

2026-03-05 16:24:50 UTC

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@nprofile…zucp @nprofile…zeh9
This is the best source:
https://social.linux.pizza/@thelinuxexperiment@tilvids.com
and subscribe to his podcast
I also follow:
https://social.linux.pizza/@UbuntuWeeklyNews@ubuntu.social
https://social.linux.pizza/@manjarolinux@masto.ai
https://social.linux.pizza/@xubuntu@floss.social
https://social.linux.pizza/@pop_os_official@fosstodon.org
Mobile:
https://social.linux.pizza/@ubports@mastodon.social
https://social.linux.pizza/@linmob@linuxmobile.social
https://social.linux.pizza/@linuxphoneapps@linuxmobile.social

2026-03-04 21:19:06 UTC

https://www.svd.se/a/K8nrV4/metas-ai-smart-glasses-and-data-privacy-concerns-workers-say-we-see-everything
#meta #privacy #glasses #naked

2026-03-01 11:47:55 UTC

"On Parenting & Age Verification" is the best piece I've read by @nprofile…z4df . I'm honored to be referenced in it too!
https://ghost.thenewoil.org/on-parenting-age-verification/
It's a cohesive, coherent long read that is totally worth your time.
#parenting #digitalprivacy #socialmedia #kidsandscreens #climatechange #argument

2026-02-25 21:21:10 UTC

While the syllogism for "I have nothing to hide" is sound, it ultimately detracts from the argument of privacy as consent.
https://theprivacydad.com/the-best-version-of-i-have-nothing-to-hide/
#privacy #arguments #logic #cypherpunk @nprofile…k2mn

2026-02-24 21:47:55 UTC

@nprofile…z4df is on a roll!
https://ghost.thenewoil.org/email/fc12afaa-5104-4efe-a622-a93c1a3f3af0/?ref=blog-newsletter
#privacy #criticalthinking #philosophy

2026-01-06 23:05:58 UTC

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@nprofile…ntm0 Hi Jonah, The story is an effort to give feedback to the community from my perspective about something that isn't quite right. In my last post on PG, I wrote it is a 'take it or leave it' thing. I've currently muted notifications from PG because I do not wish to be drawn into the discussion any further.

2025-12-29 01:23:25 UTC

https://theprivacydad.com/for-the-grapheneos-crowd-the-options-in-burger-town/
Thanks @nprofile…wn6u and @nprofile…f9sr for all the good work you do!

2025-11-29 04:59:06 UTC

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@nprofile…hev2 Thanks for the mention, and great idea!

2025-11-15 22:44:23 UTC

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@nprofile…4tdt I just did it and it all seems to work ok. I'm just worried it's not a good idea in the long run, because everyone I ask advices to revert to Android 9 first, for firmware reasons.

2025-11-15 22:02:18 UTC

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@nprofile…4tdt Yes, several people on forums say it is. When you read the documentation for UT or Droidian they all start with "Make sure you downgrade to Android 9 first" but nowhere do they explain how to do that if you already have a Linux os installed.

2025-11-15 21:57:39 UTC

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@nprofile…4tdt Thanks! One thing that is really unclear to me is how you can reinstall back to Android 9 between Linux installs.

2025-11-14 21:24:30 UTC

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@nprofile…4tdt https://theprivacydad.com/using-droidian-on-a-google-pixel-3axl-phone/

2025-11-08 21:41:30 UTC

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@nprofile…4tdt I got the camera working now. I had to revert to Droidian 101 instead of 102. People on their Matrix explained it to me. The UBports installer installs 102, but the camera doesn't work on 102 yet.

2025-11-05 17:00:27 UTC

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@nprofile…4tdt Ah, ok. Is Droidian not fully optimised for the XL? The link you shared suggests that it should be.

2025-11-05 11:51:32 UTC

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@nprofile…4tdt Thanks, and, yes! I am testing it out right now. With Flare as a Signal app that actually works, this looks like it could be a daily driver. Only - the camera app doesn't work on the Pixel 3A XL. I can't seem to find a forum for Droidian.

2025-09-07 14:05:16 UTC

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@nprofile…9nj5 I wrote this article about the term 'metadata' after reading Shoshana Zuboff's chapters on this: https://theprivacydad.com/why-the-term-metadata-is-not-helpful-in-discussions-around-privacy/
#surveillance #surveillancecapitalism #metada

2025-08-04 23:36:46 UTC

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7FYfbSr6wz8&t=164s
Who will decide what is age appropriate and what is not?
#privacy #overreach #eu @nprofile…4kmp @nprofile…9lcr @nprofile…7yzd

2025-06-25 21:48:38 UTC

Internet exploitation and abuse of children is a unique category of online crime and therefore cannot be used lightly by both sides in debates around regulation of online privacy tools.
https://theprivacydad.com/privacy-tools-vs-online-child-exploitation-and-abuse/
#parenting #regulation #exploitation #children #digitalprivacy

2025-06-02 22:23:28 UTC

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@nprofile…xdcn Reading the website, I get the feeling it's not designed to install other Linux mobile OS's on it.

2025-06-02 22:14:10 UTC

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@nprofile…55j2 Over 2000 euros for a phone, and 1300 the most discounted option - that is steep. Reading the site, it seems you can only use it with LiberuxOS.

2025-05-13 14:04:23 UTC

If parents can band together when deciding on the right age for a smartphone for their younger children, they will stand a better chance to avoid making decisions based on peer pressure at school.
https://theprivacydad.com/how-parent-chat-groups-may-help-reduce-pressure-to-buy-a-smartphone-for-your-child/
#smartphone #dumbphone #featurephone #school #parenting #privacy
@nprofile…7let

2025-05-11 22:10:26 UTC

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@nprofile…cnv8 Can't go wrong with Can.

2025-05-04 13:46:37 UTC

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@nprofile…zc8f So it still works? I see a big warning sign on the Github page: https://github.com/benbusby/whoogle-search
#whoogle

2025-04-22 19:21:39 UTC

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@nprofile…dpz7 Adds new meaning to 'taking a turn around the garden'!

2025-04-22 13:59:48 UTC

The term 'metadata' is an inaccurate description of behavioural surplus and helps to downplay the severity of the large-scale incursion on our privacy.
https://theprivacydad.com/why-the-term-metadata-is-not-helpful-in-discussions-around-privacy/
#metadata #behaviouralsurplus #ShoshanaZuboff #privacy #digitalprivacy #surveillancecapitalism

2025-04-15 14:33:12 UTC

Behavioural surplus is the extra information that can be processed when we interact with an app, website or device, in order to be repackaged and sold as accurate predictions about us.
https://theprivacydad.com/what-is-behavioural-surplus/
#surveillancecapitalism #behavioralsurplus #behaviouralsurplus, #shoshanazuboff #dataprivacy

2025-04-04 21:45:39 UTC

France has been developing its own digital tools and platforms for governmental use. I hope other countries follow suit, rather than relying on Google or Microsoft for government and education systems: https://www.numerique.gouv.fr/uploads/DINUM-roadmap_EN.pdf
#dinum #foss #eu #privacy #data

2025-04-01 17:53:51 UTC

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@nprofile…dpz7 What is a ball animal?

2025-03-19 21:58:26 UTC

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@nprofile…7let Great article!

2025-03-18 18:43:09 UTC

Writing The Privacy Dad blog has been a rewarding two-and-a-half year journey, and I hope to keep writing, albeit at a slower rate.
https://theprivacydad.com/on-writing-the-privacy-dad-blog/
#privacy #blog #surveillancereport

2025-03-16 18:14:11 UTC

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@nprofile…dpz7 I found someone on Reddit who claims Shrek 2 can fit in a 55.7 MB mp4 file. So if we say 2TB is 2000000 MB, then you should be able to fit 35906 copies of Shrek 2 on that bad boy. I don't know if it will have audio though.
Source: https://www.reddit.com/r/gifsthatkeepongiving/comments/bsdogu/the_entire_shrek_2_movie_but_its_a_gif/

2025-02-27 00:01:16 UTC

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@nprofile…65cv Thank you! I'm glad the Proton takeover hasn't changed the experience at all, thus far.

2025-02-13 21:59:51 UTC

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@nprofile…dpz7 I like how now one seems to know the location of the battle.

2024-09-29 20:37:07 UTC

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@npub1cg3…3u5d I wasn't sure Ubuntu would work on a tablet, but it mostly does!

2024-09-28 17:14:04 UTC

Installing Ubuntu on a Microsoft Surface Go 3 tablet improves its speed and usability significantly.
https://theprivacydad.com/ubuntu-on-a-windows-surface-go-3/
@npub12a4…w2xw @npub19yu…k4fq #linux #linuxsurface #windows #surfacego #calibre

2024-04-19 16:44:50 UTC

I was able to get my hands on a Punkt. M02 feature phone and have been testing it out this week. I hope to publish a review, specifically from a parental perspective, next week. It looks to be a modern alternative to Nokia's feature phones, but at a cost.
https://www.punkt.ch/en/products/mp02-4g-mobile-phone/
#featurephone #dumbphone

2024-03-14 23:17:10 UTC

Parents: Are Your Kids Backing up Their Data?
Children need a hand creating backups of their data, and parents can help.
https://theprivacydad.com/parents-are-your-kids-backing-up-their-data/
@npub1wjw…ue5t #backup #privacy #parenting #IT

2024-03-02 17:13:35 UTC

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@npub14nx…75qg I will for sure :) I see a lot of positive comments about Notesnook, so you guys are doing great.

2024-03-01 18:22:30 UTC

Why I'm Sticking with Standard Notes
https://theprivacydad.com/im-sticking-with-standard-notes/
Standard Notes and Notesnook are both excellent note-taking apps with encryption, and that is a win for privacy.
@npub14nx…75qg #standardnotes #note #privacy

2024-02-13 16:43:26 UTC

@npub1g97…ynm9 Have you considered a Monero wallet option for supporting your instance?

2024-01-22 20:44:54 UTC

Running a Whoogle Instance on the Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W
https://theprivacydad.com/running-a-whoogle-instance-on-the-raspberry-pi-zero-2-w/
Spreading applications over different hardware devices in your home can create a more stable overall experience.
#raspberrypi #whoogle #benbusby

2023-09-20 18:49:45 UTC

How is it I've never heard of Skiff before?? Their suite looks like a great all-in-one end-to-end encrypted office solution (mail, calendar, documents with collab., storage). https://skiff.com/

2023-07-14 09:59:19 UTC

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@npub1amw…yfm9 Thanks, I will add a link to your article to this post: https://theprivacydad.com/what-is-your-isp/. Your letter template is really helpful!