Every second that we check the weather app, open an email, or do a Google search, we are offering up piles of our personal data to Big Tech. We lie and say "oh yeah, I read those Terms of Services, sure!" and we tell those apps to go ahead and take our information from us.
I attended a digital security workshop many years ago. As I learned how much of our data is being tracked, bought and sold– all I could think was:
“They already have all my data. I’m too far gone.”
I felt like I was already compromised, so what was the point of even trying?
In recent years, I have shifted my thinking. We can start to opt out in both small and meaningful ways. And, as our country descends into fascism, it has become clear that it is imperative to do so.
My friend Réne Pérez works in tech at the Climate Justice Alliance, and he's been a longtime advocate for digital security. A couple months ago, I asked him if he'd do a zine with me on the topic. I wanted to know:
Read the zine!
The zine we are offering here is the sixth installment in the USDAC's Vital Conversations series, and we hope it helps you feel more equipped to protect your data.
In solidarity,
Kelly Baker
Director of Strategy and Storytelling
U.S. Department of Arts and Culture