As I travel the country talking to hundreds of fired up American’s wanting to regain their digital freedom and #boycottBigTech, the question comes up over and over again, “This seems like such a large hard problem for me with all my accounts and devices… where do I even begin!?” Understandably, billion dollar marketing budgets over the past few decades have led many of us to believe that our digital lives must remain in the clutches of the companies who currently control us… and there’s nothing we can do about it. This, however, is a big fat lie.
We in fact CAN make the conscious choice to stop the flow of information we continuously feed Apple, Microsoft, Google, Amazon, Facebook and, by-proxy, our government and other governments who want/need this data. By doing so, we begin to starve the system of the data they need to monetize, track and control our actions throughout the day. This is the case both for your personal life and work life.
Below is a step by step guide that will help you start to think through and get a handle over your digital privacy and security.
STEP 1 - Audit Your Digital Life and Footprint
It is important to view each of the devices/technologies we use as simply tools; no different than a hammer or blender. Our aim is to have these tools we use serve US and our actual needs vs serving those who currently manage, track and monitor the tools we use.
It is also helpful to think of the process you are about to follow as no different than if you were to change a bank account; it simply requires you document all your accounts and then everything you subsequently have tied to each account so you can make a seamless transition. How quickly this process will take and how complicated it will be is entirely dependent upon how many devices you own and use, what applications you use, how all of these things interact with one another and what your time and financial budget looks like.
We can not change that which we do not know or understand.
With all of this in mind, the first step is to take inventory of all the digital products and electronics you use and rely upon:
- Mobile Phones
- Laptops/Desktops
- Home Security
- Home Automation
- Gaming Consoles
- Appliances/TVs
- Cars
Mobile Phone(s)
- What is the specific make, model and year of your phone?
- Do you have a “work phone” that is separate from your personal phone?
- If yes, create 2 separate lists for the information below
- Who is your network service provider?
- What is the voice/text/data plan you have?
- When was the last time you looked at your actual utilization of voice/text/data relative to the plan you are paying for?
- Are you paying a monthly recurring fee to pay off the phone?
- If yes, when will the phone be completely paid off?
- Does your phone have a physical SIM card or eSIM? Do you know?
- Are you paying for other phones and phone plans for people (family, friends, etc.)?
- If yes, same questions above need to be answered.
- What do you actually use your phone for?
- What apps do you have installed on your phone?
- Of these apps, which do you actually NEED on your mobile phone and which can you use via your laptop or a browser login/interface?
- Are you paying a recurring fee for any apps or have you paid a one time fee to install any apps? If yes, which ones?
Laptop/Desktop
- What is the specific make, model and year of your computer?
- Do you have a work computer and personal computer?
- If yes, create 2 separate lists for the information below
- What is the operating system for your computer?
- How does your computer connect to the internet?
- What do you actually use your computer for and how often do you use it?
- What applications do you have installed on your computer (Adobe, MSFT Office, etc.) and which do you use via your web browser?
- Of these apps, which do you actually NEED and which can you use via a browser login/interface?
- Are you paying a recurring fee for any apps or have you paid a one time fee to install any apps? If yes, which ones?
Home Security System
- If you use one, what is the name of the system you have installed?
- Do you still have the user manual for the system?
- Do you know your login/password for the system?
- Are the locks on your doors or gates to your house controlled by this system?
- Are the video cameras controlled by this system?
- Are the lights inside/outside your house controlled by this system?
- Are the devices tied to this system wirelessly connected or wired?
- If you have a mix of both, document how each is connected.
- Do you connect to your security system via your phone or computer?
- Is this system connected through your home router?
- Are you paying a recurring fee for someone else to manage or monitor this system?
- How often do you use this system?
- When was the last time you updated the devices and software tied to this system?
Home Automation System
- If you use one, what is the name of the system you have installed?
- Do you still have the user manual for the system?
- Do you know your login/password for the system?
- What specific devices are tied to this system? (TV’s, speakers, blinds, AC/heater, appliances, etc.)
- Are the devices tied to this system wirelessly connected or wired?
- If you have a mix of both, document how each is connected.
- Is this tied to your home security system?
- Do you connect to this system via your phone or computer?
- Is this system connected through your home router?
- Are you paying a recurring fee for someone else to manage or monitor this system?
- How often do you use this system?
- When was the last time you updated the devices tied to this system?
Gaming Console(s)
- If you have them in your house, which systems do you have?
- Are they connected to the internet?
- If yes, is the connection wireless or wired?
- How frequently are they used and who uses them?
- What accounts do you have that are tied to the console? If your kids know, ask them!
- Microsoft = Xbox
- Sony = Playstation
- Nintendo = Wii
Home Appliances & Televisions
Unfortunately nearly every “smart” TV and new home appliance wants to be connected to the internet. This brave new digital world of “the internet of things” has been sold as a more efficient way for us to use and manage all the different devices around us… however, from our perspective, this has simply added to the EMF radiation emanating from our homes and making what used to be very simple tools far more complex than they need to be.
- Do you really NEED to be able to remotely adjust the temperature of your smoker/grill/oven while you are at the kids baseball game?
- Do you NEED to be able to see when the water filter in your refrigerator needs replacing from an app on your phone or via an email/txt notification sent from the refrigerator?
CLIP ON HOW YOUR TV WATCHES YOU
In addition to the unwanted radiation, when one understands that each of these connected (smart) devices has the potential to be used by various nefarious actors in countless ways, it becomes obvious the “convenience” gains simply do not come close to outweighing the risks.
The Network Interface Card/Controller (NIC) or Wireless Network Interface Card/Controller (WNIC) is the primary piece of equipment installed within these “smart” devices which allows for them to connect to your home router and the internet at large. If you’re dealing with a home security system, this is totally normal as the various cameras and devices all need to somehow feed back to a central controller in your home. If you’re dealing with your blender or refrigerator, this NIC/WNIC is what allows for both you to turn it on/off remotely AND for the device to send user data back to the manufacturer with or without your knowledge. Hence, you need to look back at all the appliances you’ve purchased over the past few years and ask yourself if what you purchased was labeled as a “smart” device or if it’s just a simple dumb tool. If it is in fact a “smart” device, make note of it as we’ll discuss ways to hopefully neutralize it in step 3.
Nearly every TV sold is now a “smart” TV. This means the device itself now has the capability to record audio/video and provide programming options vs requiring a cable contract for content. If you have such a TV, make note, as we are going to discuss ways to neutralize these devices as well.
Car
Most people take for granted how “cool” all the gadgets and gizmos are in/on their car without realizing that the vehicle itself has become essentially a giant tracking device. Reading through the terms of service and privacy policies for nearly all new vehicles is truly frightening and telling as to exactly what data is being collected and to whom the data is being provided.
- The Manufacturer is collecting personal identification information, bio-metrics (if used to get into the car), your location, synced phone data, synced user account information.
- The Manufacturer is selling your data to affiliates, service providers, insurance companies, state and federal government agencies and numerous other information brokers that want access to your information.
- The Manufacturer is also providing any and all of this data to government agencies when there is a legal request, most often without your knowledge.
The end game here is complete control over the vehicle itself such that if your social credit score falls below a certain level or law enforcement wishes to detain you they can simply tap into the vehicles electronics and lock the vehicle or slow it down and force you to pull over.
“But Sean, it’s so convenient to get email/text notifications when I need an oil change or if I have low tire pressure!” Well, if you value your convenience more than your digital freedom, then keep on driving that over-sized tracking device and move on to the other tracking devices you use on a regular base. Hopefully you’ll eventually realize your “smart car” is really not much different than your “smart phone” or “smart TV”!
Important points:
- Manufacturer collects data like (identifiers, biometrics, location, synced phone data, users)
- Manufacturers sell data (affiliates, service providers, insurancce firms, government, and data brokers)
- Manufacturers will provide data to government or law enforcement when there's a legal request
Want to know exactly what you should be concerned about with your specific vehicle(s)? Check out https://vehicleprivacyreport.com/ which is a service provided by https://privacy4cars.com/.
Hat tip to @takebackourtech for doing most of the research on this topic already!
STEP 2 - Accountability
Although some of us are lone wolves who can find the self motivation to get things done without the need for external motivation or influence, most of us benefit from having someone or even a small tribe of people to help keep us motivated. With this in mind, I highly encourage you to find someone who can commit to going through this process with you.
If you can’t find someone to coach and motivate you through this process, there are a few ways we can help. You can:
- Chat w/ us live on our Telegram Channel:
Join → https://t.me/MARK37public then join →https://t.me/MARK37chat- We can help provide you encouragement through the chat channel, connect you to communities near you of like minded/hearted people where you will likely find a willing partner or help you connect with someone online that’s willing to be a virtual partner.
- Block some 1on1 time with someone from the team at MARK37:
https://mark37.com/brands/mark37/it-services-consulting/- We can help guide you through the documentation and prioritization process of your digital audit and/or help triage any questions that pop up along the way.
Step 3 - Take Action!
Now that you’ve got everything documented and an accountability partner, the next step is to start prioritizing everything in such a way that it allows you to achieve some quick wins and creates incentives along the way to keep you motivated and moving forward.
My next post will be all on Step 3, documenting how to best think through this process as well as providing a detailed guide for each of the 7 areas listed above. Stay Tuned… and get to work on Steps 1 & 2!!!!