Hi privacy community. I genuinely want to hear from both people who are very private and those who didn’t go to such an extent.
I started my journy since high school and replaced a lot of stuff since then.
Ditched most of Google’s app . Only 2~3 apps on my phone require google play store(Banking/School’s app/ Train ticket).
Switched to Protonmail + Email alias, and manage my passwords with Bitwarden.
Got off social media and made sure I removed all data that can be found about me in quick Google searches.
Switched to Linux for desktop.
But
I can’t get rid of gmail because I still need those apps, and some professors heavily relies on google services.
Windows ain’t getting off my laptop because I need to make sure document format and software compatibility don’t become reasons I fail a class.
I feel like the obstacle I hit isn’t just convenience anymore, it’s my life and the situations I’m in.
I wish to hear what kind of dicisions / realizations / mindsets you guys had in your journy.
Thanks in advance.
When you’re in school you’re often stuck with the software they require. No harm in that. Once you’re finished with school you can reevaluate. If you want to be more privacy focused you could make sure you’re only using Gmail for in a Firefox container tab for instance or look into sandboxing it other ways.
For the same reasons don’t worry about keeping Windows on your computer for classes. It’ll get easier when you’re out of college, any job will give you work equipment with the software and tools they make you use and you can keep all personal information out of those. You’ll be able to use what you want on your personal items.
Privacy is important, but not important as passing your classes.
You’re doing great!
I see, perhaps changing my approach & mindset towards privacy is the next thing I should work on.
Will definitely still do more stuff like boxing & containing non private services.