Coming up next week: tech-care session (Aug 12) and a beach experiment (Aug 15)
Hi , here's a friendly reminder about our two offline events coming up next week (in Toronto/Tkaronto).
First, a Tech-Care session focused on data brokers and data deletion services.
Tech-Care Session:
Tuesday, Aug 12, 6-8pm
@ Creed's Coffee Bar (450 Dupont St, Toronto, ON, M5R 3P3)
Topic: Data Opt-Out: Delete your data from data brokers manually or set up paid data deletion services
Guides and links will be provided. Bring your data queries and ponderings.
+++ GET YOUR TICKET+++
If cost is a barrier, please come anyway and give me a heads up.
Tech-Care Sessions are guided co-working sessions to boost our digital security, privacy, and autonomy practices. Instructions and guides will be provided and your host will be on-hand for support. This time can also be used for other digital hygiene tasks of your choice, in a supportive co-working environment. All experience levels are welcome. Bring your devices!
Accessibility: Masks are encouraged. Please refrain from wearing chemical fragrances. Please stay home if you're experiencing upper respiratory symptoms. There is one step to enter Creed's Coffee bar. There is a washroom on the same level.
Second, a personal invitation:
Very Offline Club goes to the Beach
Friday Aug 15, 4-8pm
@ Woodbine Beach*
This is a lighthearted challenge - leave your smartphone at home and make your way to Woodbine beach. This may involve thinking through how you'll navigate to the beach without relying on Google Maps or up to date TTC info, how you may reach out to someone in case of an emergency, how you'll play music at the beach if that's something you'd like, or take photos, or do any of the other things you rely on your smartphone for. This is meant to provoke some discomfort, awaken your curiosity and problem-solving, maybe invoke some nostalgia.
(Disclaimer: if it feels too anxiety inducing or you have extenuating circumstances, of course you know your situation best and pls act accordingly! Maybe leave your phone off or see if you can disable Meta & Google apps for the time being...) There may be prizes involved.
*An exact location will be sent before the day of the event. Bring your pals (and tell them the guidelines!)
If you're coming, please confirm by replying to this email with "sunny butts version" :)
Last but not least, mark your calendars for our last Aug event:
Aug 26: Offline Social 6-9pm @ Christie Pits Park
See you offline,
-G
P.S. If you're looking to do a deep dive on data collection, brokers, and the technology used before our Tech-Care session, check out this in-depth report from the Electronic Frontier Foundation: Behind the One-Way Mirror: A Deep Dive into the Technology of Corporate Surveillance. Note: deep dive absolutely not necessary in order to attend the Tech-Care session.