How to delete my internet footprint (Get my privacy back) ?

After watching the documentaries 'The great hack' and 'The social dilemma' made me think how can i use the internet anonymously and protect myself and my privacy data?

Also what can i do to delete all or most of my internet footprint?

If i delete my instagram and facebook accounts will my posts , comments, photos be deleted or do i have to delete everything manually before and then delete the accounts?

Also what can i use to avoid tracking on my phone. Why do they have to know where i am every single second, listnen what i say and sometime see what my camera catches? Any ideas how to avoid this? Best practices? How to be off radar?

Would love to start a healthy discussion on this topic and get some useful help on this topis.

Thanks

I would first delete all posts and other content, then all accounts. Use a privacy respecting browser for PC and smartphone like Firefox with Privacy Add-ons, don't log in your Google account unless you have to (use a different browser for that).

For your phone, only use GPS when you need it, don't leave it on all the time. Only install apps you really need. If you are really serious, don't use Apple or Android but flash the phone.

If you were active on social media networks, most of your data has been sold all over the world already, so this is only damage control. In my opinion, there is no reason to be registered on any social media network (unless you're doing business there and are using fake info). It's just a major waste of time, besides the obvious privacy issues.

I guess there's no simple way to get true privacy on the internet, but it's rather easy not to be found in search engines and such.

onlinefreefilms said:

After watching the documentaries 'The great hack' and 'The social dilemma'

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You should also watch, 'Terms and Conditions May Apply'.

onlinefreefilms said:

how can i use the internet anonymously and protect myself and my privacy data?

Click to expand...

Anonymously = new laptop with no personal data, end-to-end, full disk encryption, Tails OS, no personal software, browser extensions, logins, etc, and use a VPN that you programmed in your language(s) of choice, while connected to a WiFi that you're not affiliated with.
Privacy = Private / Incognito Mode on a browser with extensions disabled and while on a VPN. You should also be using Full Disk Encryption, here, too. Oh, and don't log into anything.

Privacy and anonymity are two completely different things.

onlinefreefilms said:

Also what can i do to delete all or most of my internet footprint?

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You can't delete what's already been done, in most instances.

onlinefreefilms said:

If i delete my instagram and facebook accounts will my posts , comments, photos be deleted or do i have to delete everything manually before and then delete the accounts?

Click to expand...

I would delete it manually, but please note that this doesn't actually delete any of it. Again, watch 'Terms and Conditions May Apply'. You agreed to having these companies spy on you and share your data with others.

onlinefreefilms said:

Also what can i use to avoid tracking on my phone.

Click to expand...

Don't use a cell phone.
Here's a .pdf you can search for, written some years back, that helped me make a LOT of money:
'Mobile Manifesto'.
I suggest it, not because of the money aspect of it, but because the author goes into great detail about the way that phones are tracked (from a marketer's perspective, though). Keep in mind that this was years ago. Undoubtedly, many more things are being tracked on your phone, today.

onlinefreefilms said:

Why do they have to know where i am every single second

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Money. Power.

onlinefreefilms said:

Any ideas how to avoid this?

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Live off the grid or be prepared to do what I suggested to be anonymous (or at least private).

Songhort said:

For your phone, only use GPS when you need it, don't leave it on all the time.

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In the telecom space, there's something called 'handover'. Regardless of GPS / Location Data being "disabled", your location is still being tracked by each radio / node (eNode-B) your phone comes into contact with.

Toz said:

In the telecom space, there's something called 'handover'. Regardless of GPS / Location Data being "disabled", your location is still being tracked by each radio / node (eNode-B) your phone comes into contact with.

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Yes, you are right, but usually apps don't have access to that kind of data whereas many apps do have access to your location via GPS or WiFi, so it's a good start to disable GPS if you don't need it. Other interested parties can still track you, that's true.

Songhort said:

Yes, you are right, but usually apps don't have access to that kind of data whereas many apps do have access to your location via GPS or WiFi, so it's a good start to disable GPS if you don't need it.

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True. This is why I personally don't install any apps that have permissions that don't make sense (ie: why would a calculator app need access to my contacts list?).

You know the saying ...

What happens on the Internet, stays on the internet...

So depends, are you in the EU --> Right to be forgotten (although its more right to be hidden many times), or in California..

Fully anonymous is a myth for regular users unless you want to go all out, burner phone, cash payments only, etc. (and again depending where you live really)

onlinefreefilms said:

Also what can i do to delete all or most of my internet footprint?

If i delete my instagram and facebook accounts will my posts , comments, photos be deleted or do i have to delete everything manually before and then delete the accounts?

Click to expand...

A month ago I started using Say Mine which helps you discover and write to the company that holds your footprint to remove it. I'm pretty satisfied with them and most of the websites respect my request.

This is the only way, live in a desert with no phone, no computer, nothing

AAW said:

This is the only way, live in a desert with no phone, no computer, nothing

View attachment 147016

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Drones watching you!!

onlinefreefilms said:

After watching the documentaries 'The great hack' and 'The social dilemma' made me think how can i use the internet anonymously and protect myself and my privacy data?

Also what can i do to delete all or most of my internet footprint?

If i delete my instagram and facebook accounts will my posts , comments, photos be deleted or do i have to delete everything manually before and then delete the accounts?

Also what can i use to avoid tracking on my phone. Why do they have to know where i am every single second, listnen what i say and sometime see what my camera catches? Any ideas how to avoid this? Best practices? How to be off radar?

Would love to start a healthy discussion on this topic and get some useful help on this topis.

Thanks

Click to expand...

Unfortunately, if you are already posting some thoughts on the Internet, this is probably a one-way road. Unless, of course, you start using various protection systems from birth. Onion browsers as a solution

But they only need you to sell you stuff, don't take it so personal. Use yt algorithm to watch only what you love, scream at your phone when you see an ad that it's not relevant. Make the AI feel bad about itself and be ashamed of serving you content that you already bought or have no interest in.

Use Targeted Services or Tools and Make a Habit of Being Cautious.

if you want to delete your fb account you need to go through a speicfic process but its possible

Toz said:

You should also watch, 'Terms and Conditions May Apply'.

Anonymously = new laptop with no personal data, end-to-end, full disk encryption, Tails OS, no personal software, browser extensions, logins, etc, and use a VPN that you programmed in your language(s) of choice, while connected to a WiFi that you're not affiliated with.
Privacy = Private / Incognito Mode on a browser with extensions disabled and while on a VPN. You should also be using Full Disk Encryption, here, too. Oh, and don't log into anything.

Privacy and anonymity are two completely different things.

You can't delete what's already been done, in most instances.

I would delete it manually, but please note that this doesn't actually delete any of it. Again, watch 'Terms and Conditions May Apply'. You agreed to having these companies spy on you and share your data with others.

Don't use a cell phone.
Here's a .pdf you can search for, written some years back, that helped me make a LOT of money:
'Mobile Manifesto'.
I suggest it, not because of the money aspect of it, but because the author goes into great detail about the way that phones are tracked (from a marketer's perspective, though). Keep in mind that this was years ago. Undoubtedly, many more things are being tracked on your phone, today.

Money. Power.

Live off the grid or be prepared to do what I suggested to be anonymous (or at least private).


In the telecom space, there's something called 'handover'. Regardless of GPS / Location Data being "disabled", your location is still being tracked by each radio / node (eNode-B) your phone comes into contact with.

Click to expand...

Thanks for all the info. Can you send me the Mobile Manifesto pdf pls?

Ethwas said:

A month ago I started using Say Mine which helps you discover and write to the company that holds your footprint to remove it. I'm pretty satisfied with them and most of the websites respect my request.

Click to expand...

Is Say Mine a company or a website? Do you think they really removed or delete your data?

Anyone can recommend tools to use (browsers, vpn etc)? Also any type of guide on how to do it? Thanks

onlinefreefilms said:

Thanks for all the info. Can you send me the Mobile Manifesto pdf pls?


Is Say Mine a company or a website? Do you think they really removed or delete your data?

Anyone can recommend tools to use (browsers, vpn etc)? Also any type of guide on how to do it? Thanks

Click to expand...

As my browser, I use Firefox on my PC and smartphone, together with the Add-ons uBlock Origin (Adblocker), Privacy Badger, HTTPS Everywhere, Decentraleyes, Cookie Autodelete, and Canvas Blocker. Some functions on websites are blocked by those, so it's good to have a second (and third browser) available, too. For some IM related tasks, Google Chrome is useful, don't use it for private stuff, though. Use TOR browser if you need even more anonymity.

When you are looking for VPNs, it's important to choose trusted ones that offer anonymous payment like cash or bitcoin, and don't log your info. Most say they don't log, but most actually do. VPNs with good reputation include iVPN (I use that), Mullvad, ProtonVPN. Please note that using a VPN doesn't make you anonymous or greatly enhances your privacy since the IP address is only one factor to identify you. It's more important to close the holes in your browser and always use https instead of unencrypted http traffic. If you have a good and trusted VPN provider, it helps masking your traffic in the eyes of your ISP (e.g. if you want to download torrents) or when you are using public networks like open Wlan hotspots, but not much more.

Also, never use your real info with social networks (only use them for business purposes).

Don't use spyware instant messengers like Whatsapp. It's hard because most friends probably use it, but maybe you can get some of them to switch to an at least somewhat better alternative like Threema or Telegram (there are better ones, but they are not mainstream enough for most social circles).

Toz said:

Don't use a cell phone.
Here's a .pdf you can search for, written some years back, that helped me make a LOT of money:
'Mobile Manifesto'.
I suggest it, not because of the money aspect of it, but because the author goes into great detail about the way that phones are tracked (from a marketer's perspective, though). Keep in mind that this was years ago. Undoubtedly, many more things are being tracked on your phone, today.

Click to expand...

Can you share any info about the author, or maybe a link to any article about it?

S.

onlinefreefilms said:

Thanks for all the info. Can you send me the Mobile Manifesto pdf pls?

Click to expand...

No problem. I do not have this pdf, anymore.

snorri said:

Can you share any info about the author, or maybe a link to any article about it?

Click to expand...

It was from one of the leaders of IMGrind, but again, it was years ago. I only just thought about it as I was thinking about how phones are tracked.

I think the full name of the .pdf was "Mobile Marketing Manifesto v2" or something similar. It shouldn't be too difficult to find.

Songhort said:

As my browser, I use Firefox on my PC and smartphone, together with the Add-ons uBlock Origin (Adblocker), Privacy Badger, HTTPS Everywhere, Decentraleyes, Cookie Autodelete, and Canvas Blocker. Some functions on websites are blocked by those, so it's good to have a second (and third browser) available, too. For some IM related tasks, Google Chrome is useful, don't use it for private stuff, though. Use TOR browser if you need even more anonymity.

When you are looking for VPNs, it's important to choose trusted ones that offer anonymous payment like cash or bitcoin, and don't log your info. Most say they don't log, but most actually do. VPNs with good reputation include iVPN (I use that), Mullvad, ProtonVPN. Please note that using a VPN doesn't make you anonymous or greatly enhances your privacy since the IP address is only one factor to identify you. It's more important to close the holes in your browser and always use https instead of unencrypted http traffic. If you have a good and trusted VPN provider, it helps masking your traffic in the eyes of your ISP (e.g. if you want to download torrents) or when you are using public networks like open Wlan hotspots, but not much more.

Also, never use your real info with social networks (only use them for business purposes).

Don't use spyware instant messengers like Whatsapp. It's hard because most friends probably use it, but maybe you can get some of them to switch to an at least somewhat better alternative like Threema or Telegram (there are better ones, but they are not mainstream enough for most social circles).

Click to expand...

Doesn't wahts app encrypt all your messages?

Surprising no one say , Don't surf net , Don't carry smart phone , even a normal mobile phone without internet access because once you make a call will be trace unless u got many sim cards
make one call than throw away the sim card , Literally yes back in Good old days 80s , literally everyone go work, make call is by public phone
Pager kinda roughly mid 80s widely available but also can be trace
using Public phone also can be trace but at least when authority come u already gone for long

Actually I miss the 80s and 90s

Side note I always wonder the Annoymous group , how they access internet without be trace by authority and do note those Gov Authority have to best Hacker too

YujinTan said:

Surprising no one say , Don't surf net , Don't carry smart phone , even a normal mobile phone without internet access because once you make a call will be trace unless u got many sim cards
make one call than throw away the sim card , Literally yes back in Good old days 80s , literally everyone go work, make call is by public phone
Pager kinda roughly mid 80s widely available but also can be trace
using Public phone also can be trace but at least when authority come u already gone for long

Actually I miss the 80s and 90s

Side note I always wonder the Annoymous group , how they access internet without be trace by authority and do note those Gov Authority have to best Hacker too

Click to expand...

Exactly. But i am trying to find a middle ground here. For sure will be getting a simple phone with no internet just for calls.