Unfortunately, our own personal data is the currency of the day. Every app, tool, and website we use is recording, sharing and sometimes selling everything it learns about us - and you might be surprised what they know!
That's why I am extremely careful about the tools that I use daily to run my life and my business. Thankfully, there are some awesome companies who prioritize privacy while still providing top-tier products.
Here's my privacy-minded tech stack:
Messaging: Signal
Signal is top-tier. It's private, encrypted and lets me message/make audio or video calls while on Airplane Mode and plugged in to an ethernet cord. It's a way safer choice than What'sApp and even iMessage. You can learn all about why I love it here.
Email, Docs, VPN & Video Meetings: Proton
Proton is my go-to for all things online privacy and security. Tech Wellness is basically run through Proton. My whole team communicates through Proton Mail, video chats with Proton Meet stores things on Proton Drive & Docs - all with Proton VPN on our computers! I have been using them for years (I'm actually one of the founding members) so I can attest that it's a quality product and integrous company. I also love that they are constantly innovating and creating - they even have their own AI that is totally encrypted - if you're going to use any AI it should definitely be this one!
Search Engine: Startpage
I avoid "Googling" at all costs! Google is NOTORIOUS for using and abusing our data. Why would I give them a full picture of everything I am thinking, wondering and needing? Especially now that every answer is purely AI driven. Startpage is a safer option with great results! It doesn't harvest my data or track my searches, and even lets me visit the webpage of a result as totally "anonymous" - without revealing your IP address! Learn more about protecting your privacy while searching (and the risks of Google) here.
Web Browser: Firefox
While Firefox isn't perfect, it gives me the most options of any web browser to protect my privacy- you can actually choose your level of protect (of course I always choose "strict"!). It automatically blocks cookies and social media trackers and at the end of the day when I close it down, everything erases!