Privacy: What's Your Level?
Privacy is a buzzword that means different things to different people. For some, itâs about shielding personal details from prying eyes; for others, itâs about staying safe from real-world threats. Here, privacy means you decide how, when, where, and by whom your personal information is used. Itâs not about hiding secrets - itâs about owning your data and its purpose.
Privacy isnât one-size-fits-all. Itâs a spectrum, with each level building on the last, requiring specific tools and strategies. Whether youâre tired of being a product for big tech, worried about fraud, or facing serious threats as a public figure, thereâs a privacy level that fits your needs. Letâs explore the six levels of this progressive scale, understand how they stack up, and find the right one for you.
1. Default Settings User
Profile: Sticking with the status quo, relying on automatic updates.
This is the starting point, where most people sit. You trust default settings on apps and devices, possibly unaware of how much data they collect. Automatic updates keep your software secure, but they do little for privacy. Itâs like locking your front door but leaving the windows wide open. Ready to step up?
2. Security and Privacy Starter
Profile: Uses a password manager and two-factor authentication (2FA).
Youâve made a solid leap into protecting your digital life. Strong, unique passwords stored in a high-quality, end-to-end encrypted, zero-knowledge password manager keep your accounts secure. Adding a dedicated 2FA app - separate from your password manager - shows youâre serious about locking down access. Youâre ahead of the pack, but thereâs more to consider.
3. Data-Aware Defender
Profile: Concerned about data brokers profiting from personal information.
Now youâre thinking beyond account security to the broader data ecosystem. You know your online activity is a commodity, sold to advertisers or even bad actors for social engineering. To fight back, youâve switched to a privacy-focused browser and maybe a VPN to mask your online tracks. Youâve ditched data-harvesting free email services for a privacy-respecting provider. Youâre also opting out of data-sharing agreements and scrubbing your info from âpeople searchâ sites, either solo or with a service. Youâre taking control of your digital footprint.
4. Identity Protection Pro
Profile: Focused on preventing identity theft, fraud, and account takeovers.
You understand the real-world risks of compromised data - think identity theft, SIM swaps, or phishing scams. Beyond strong passwords and 2FA, youâre vigilant about spotting suspicious emails and monitoring financial accounts. You might have valuable assets to protect, like savings or cryptocurrency. To stay ahead, youâve placed a security freeze on your credit and the ability to open new bank accounts with your information, and claimed control over government-related accounts. Using virtual phone numbers or synthetic data adds another layer of defense.
5. High-Stakes Target
Profile: Politicians, activists, journalists, or those facing nation-state threats.
At this level, youâre up against sophisticated, well-funded adversaries - think state-sponsored hackers or surveillance teams without budgetary constraints. Your concerns go beyond fraud to espionage or suppression. You employ advanced tools like encrypted communication platforms, rigorous operational security (OpSec), and possibly physical security measures. Every move is calculated to stay one step ahead of highly motivated threats.
6. Physical Safety Priority
Profile: Facing real-world threats like stalking or organized crime.
This is the highest level, where privacy failures can lead to physical harm. You might be escaping domestic abuse, dodging stalkers, or evading organized crime. Overlapping with level 5, this stage demands airtight digital and physical security to protect your location, identity, and movements. It may mean cutting ties with friends or family and making tough life changes to stay safe. Privacy here isnât just control - itâs survival.
Conclusion
Most of us fall between levels 1 and 4. Maybe youâre a Default Settings User but know itâs time to level up to basic security. Or perhaps youâre a level 4 at heart but still using default settings. Wherever you are, privacy is a journey, not a finish line. Regularly assess your level, adopt the right tools, and adjust as needed. Which level are you at, and where do you want to go?
Remember, we may not have anything to hide, but everything to protect.
