Problem / Solution: YOU are the product.
Fellow Conformist,
Today's email is sent in honor of Martin Luther King Jr., who refused to accept that the world in which he lived was unchangeable, and used a collaborative, non-violent strategy of visible actions to bring about positive change.
The modern world is awash in complicated problems that feel overwhelming and unsolvable. We know that there is no easy answer to these challenges. But there are concrete actions that Conformists can take to fight back. If we try nothing, we admit defeat.
Today, we address the issue of online privacy.
Join the battle by choosing one or two actions from the suggestions below that you can take today.
Problem / Solution
Problem: YOU are the product of the 21st century. Your online behaviors and demographic information are collected and collated as data and used to manipulate you (e.g. Cambridge Analytica) and sell you things.
Recommended Reading
- The Next Big Cheap: Calling Data "The New Oil" Takes Its Exploitation for Granted by Kelly Pendergrast (Real Life Magazine)
While the Bureau believes that personal data should be protected, there are steps that Conformists can take now to withdraw (in part) from the system. You do not have to wait for systemic change to protect yourself and protest against these unethical online practices.
Solution 1: Minimize the data you freely provide.
- Use a search engine that doesn't track you - hint, Google does
- Use a web browser that helps you block trackers (another option) - that goes for your phone too
- On your laptop and desktop, use a plugin such as Privacy Badger to block trackers that aren't necessary to make the website you're using work
- Be skeptical of any free service - how do they make money? You (your data, your attention) are likely the product, sold to advertisers
Solution 2: Make it harder to market to you.
- Opt out of targeted advertising wherever it is available (e.g. Google, Microsoft, Facebook, Twitter)
- Use an ad blocker (consider white-listing independent websites that use non-evil or hand-curated ads)
- Unsubscribe from physical junk mail
- Limit the time you spend on platforms where you are the product
- Turn off push notifications that entice you to spend more time on platforms where you are the product
Solution 3: Support an open and free web
- Support businesses and websites run by independent creators and small organizations who don't just want an IPO and a big cashout
- Make the effort to read work on creator's own platforms, whether their newsletter or blog, rather than platforms like Medium, Twitter, or Instagram when possible
- Support the work of organizations like Electronic Frontier Foundation to protect our privacy
- Support the restoration of Net Neutrality
The Bureau's Stance on Data
The Bureau of Conformity respects your attention and your privacy, which is why we do not use tracking on our website or in our emails. The Bureau has determined that it is not worth participating in the system of data mining to learn whether or not you read these missives or which pages you visit on our website. We reject the vile excuse of "business as usual." Instead, we have confidence that earning the trust of Conformists is more valuable than harvesting your data.
If you agree with our approach, share this message with someone who needs to read it.
Yours in Conformity,
Drake Starling
Director, Bureau of Conformity