For example, I have been using Google or Apple for 7 years, and seeing that I was fingerprinted, tracked through third-party cookies, etc. I want to switch to a more private option.
But is it worth it? They know about me, they have now AI that can just use the behavior pattern for the last 7 years and still track me.
Again the question comes, should I become “privacy-focused” despite my data before I was “privacy-focused” used and sold?
The best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago. The second best time is now.
Other comments have convinced me but you gave the best reply.
no time like the present
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Well… I am still on YouTube, no good gaming videos on Rumble and Odysee.
there are youtube frontends and apps that proxy videos anonymously so you can’t be tracked at all
I use freetube on desktop there’s also libretube and newpipe on android
I also started using New Pipe, i like how I can download an HD video without youtube premium
It depends on your threat model. Do you think Google knowing your video watching preference is dangerous? For me I don’t care if Google knows my music and video preferences in general. If I’m watching things that I don’t want Google to know I use Newpipe on a VPN. But sensitive document uploaded to Google drive? Not anymore.
Should I apply pressure to a wound despite already having lost a lot of blood
I can think of a couple decent reasons I think yes:
- Assuming you still have a life, you are still generating new data. Think about how someone who knew you 5 years ago but hasn’t seen you since would probably not know much about you today, specifically regarding the day-to-day stuff companies use for ads.
- If you think what data companies are doing is wrong, then you could start caring about privacy just to send a message.
- If you live in the EU you could use GDPR to request that they delete your data. I don’t know if Apple and Google have been known to comply with GDPR but it could be worth a shot.
Should you quit smoking even though you’ve already been smoking for 7 years?
Better to not have started smoking, but still good to stop now.
The longer you go without giving new data, the less useful your old data will be. 6 months without new data? Not that big of a difference. 6 years without new data? Now that’s a big deal.
If you found out that your mechanic had been ripping you off for the last 7 years, would you keep going to them for car repairs just because you’d already lost so much money to them?
It’s not just about the practical aspects, it’s about the principle. The big corpos make money from selling your data, do you really want to keep helping them make money off you after finding out how they do it?
It’s always worth it, that’s less money they’re getting. Join the movement. They won’t learn anything new about you or your life in the future.
Yes. the you that is most valuable to others, is you, as you are today, so right now is a perfectly fine time to embrace privacy focused practices!
Thanks to the CPRA (recent legislation, it only took effect at the start of this year), most companies must delete everything they know about you when asked to do so.
There are now companies that will automatically submit those requests on your behalf.
So.
When you’re ready to stop the flow, check out services like Incogni. They’ll submit requests to data brokers on your behalf automatically.
You’ll want to keep it up for awhile, because one of the things that gets deleted (by law) is the record that you requested your data be deleted. (They have to delete everything with your info in it) So any new data with your name on it is fair game.
But if you slow the flow of traceable data, then sign up with a data removal service, you stand a solid chance of getting yourself off the advertiser’s radars.
