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Ask HN: How can I protect my private data on mobile phones?

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Re: Ask HN: How can I protect my private data on mobile phones?

#11

Post by clubm8 »

OP, are you on Android or iPhone? The advice would be OS specific.

In general, use encryption, with a good passphrase[1]. Fully power down your phone in dangerous situations, like when crossing the border or pulled over by law enforcement. Practice data minimization. For example, turn on Signal's disappearing messages feature - do you really need to look back more than a week at your chats?

Install a VPN since you'll be using a lot of suspect wifi.

And personally, I avoid logging into anything super sensitive (ex: retirement account) unless I'm at home.

https://theintercept.com/2015/03/26/passphrases-can-memorize...

Re: Ask HN: How can I protect my private data on mobile phones?

#12

Post by clubm8 »

neilalexander wrote: post #7
pacuna wrote: post #5

Use a VPN client, don't allow location, files or contacts access to applications you don't trust, look for alternatives to software you don't trust.

> Use a VPN client Please stop parroting this fallacy. Unless you operate the VPN server that you are connecting to, which most people won't, then you aren't doing much to improve your privacy at all. You're just redirecting all of your connectivity through some other third-party which may or may not be trustworthy, and from there, onto some other ISPs which may or may not be trustworthy.

>Please stop parroting this fallacy. Unless you operate the VPN server that you are connecting to, which most people won't, then you aren't doing much to improve your privacy at all.

This is not factually accurate.

Redirecting your connectivity can be a good thing, if the VPN has a strong privacy policy, since ISPs are pushing to be able to sell browsing histories (via DNS records).

And a VPN is great when your "ISP" is unencrypted public wifi.

You might not be able to trust your VPN provider, but if you're paying them and they're relatively reputable (located in the US or EU) they will be regulated if they violate their privacy policy. (Ex: deceptive trade practice invokes FTC's section 5 authority)

Also, we're on HN - many of us roll our own VPN with Streisand etc.

Maybe you should stop parroting kneejerk contrarianism every time you encounter common advice.

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