Beardy Star Stuff
@dennyhenke@social.coop  ·  activity timestamp 5 days ago

I've posted a couple times in recent days on this topic and decided to write up a longer, proper blog post that's slightly less ranty:

Lefty Activists and Journalists: STOP using Google and other big US tech services!

Do not assume your data stored at #Google, #Microsoft or #Apple to be fully private or secure. Of course those companies will insist that it is and some is likely more secure than others. But these are all companies...

#Computing#Activism#Security

https://beardystarstuff.net/posts/2025-08-02.html
Simone S
@m2m@sonomu.club replied  ·  activity timestamp 5 days ago
@dennyhenke I fully agree. It's like when I got crossed with Fix The News over their impending migration to Substack. They can do whatever they like, but that's it for me. It's not even political anymore in my opinion, it's just common sense for crying out loud.

I realise what their goal is, but at a certain point there's a line to be marked clearly, and also activists might want to quit talking the talk. Enough.
Beardy Star Stuff
@dennyhenke@social.coop replied  ·  activity timestamp 5 days ago
@m2m Absolutely. I think we each have to draw our lines and then hold them. I'm giving myself time during the transition but check in with myself to make sure progress is not stalled. But beyond that, I'll punch back against any compromise. One leads to another and then you're sliding down the hill. Better to just not compromise at all.
Beardy Star Stuff
@dennyhenke@social.coop replied  ·  activity timestamp 5 days ago
@MichaelBishop
It doesn't have to be all or nothing. Just use Marketplace and only use it from one computer. Take steps to limit the amount of data you might share with them by not using a mobile app, etc. That goes for any of the others.

I'll have a Google account for a few more weeks as I transition a client's forms off my account. I removed all other data and stopped using Gmail along with all their other services in a months-long process. Same process for Apple services.