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Ava 2y ago

#privacytechpro privacy tool recommendations:

if you want to share a link a yt video on desktop in a way that isn't tracked by #google / #youtube, use #invidious (a youtube frontend) to share

*note

*isn't tracked by google

*always use a vpn.

from invidious faq:

"Q: What data is shared with YouTube?

A: By default, the video stream is fetched directly from Google's servers (googlevideo.com) in order to reduce the bandwidth required by invidious, meaning that Google will be able to see your IP address and some other data commonly sent by web browsers, like your user-agent string.

If you don't want that to happen, you can go to the preferences page and check the Proxy videos option. When this option is enabled, the Invidious instance will be used as a relay (also known as a "proxy") between you and Google's servers, which will hide your IP address and the other information sent by your browser."

go to https://invidious.io/ -> tap 'use invidious' -> choose a server -> paste the yt link in the search box -> tap share

on desktop you can use the ff extension called #LibRedirect to make this process much faster (there is a library of other front-ends included)

https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/libredirect/

on #android i recommend #UntrackMe for easy front-end privacy respecting link sharing

https://framagit.org/tom79/nitterizeme

it's only available on f-droid.

*note: if you have to use f-droid, i recommend f-droid basic (it has unattended updates)

https://f-droid.org/en/packages/org.fdroid.basic/

also...

#LibreTube (more private) or #NewPipe are both great front-end apps for watching and sharing yt videos on android

#NewPipe

https://newpipe.net/

or #LibreTube (more private...it proxies all requests via piped and prevents google servers from accessing your ip address) are both awesome youtube front-end apps for watching and sharing

read about the differences here:

https://github.com/libre-tube/LibreTube#differences-to-newpipe

pro tip: use an always-on vpn like #mullvad

https://mullvad.net/en

or #protonvpn

https://github.com/protonvpn/android-app

...and take advantage of their splittunneling function to keep the vpn always-on but still exclude specific apps (proton also allows web addresses) from the vpn for apps/sites that don't play nicely with vpns (and many payment processors)

and as always, i recommend using #GrapheneOS for the best privacy and security on android ( factory unlocked recent-ish #pixel required )

https://grapheneos.org/

#cybersecgirl #privacy #tools #opensource #android #grapheneos

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Discussion

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AU9913 2y ago

How do you get private links from new pipe?

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Ava 2y ago

you don't. but you can tap share, then choose the UntrackMe app to get the invidious link

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Ava 2y ago

* #GrapheneOS for the best privacy and security on mobile

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djmeistro✝️ 🍊💊⚡️ 2y ago

Didn't know Proton VPN was free, thanks for the rec

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Antonidus 2y ago

Thanks for this post, did not know the untrack me app yet 🙏.

I use freetube, is that in the same category as libretube?

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Ava 2y ago

no. unfortunately #freetube isn't in the same category as #libretube.

--

Data

Your data is stored on your machine and isn’t used to track your habits when you use YouTube / FreeTube. You can find where your data is located to confirm this. Alternatively, you can export your data from the settings page.

Requests To YouTube

When you use the local API within FreeTube, FreeTube will be required to make a request to YouTube in order to get the data that you’re wanting. This means that your IP Address will be sent over to YouTube along with the minimum required information that may be needed in that request (ex: if you request a channel page, that channel’s ID will be sent along with the request).

When you use the Invidious API within FreeTube, FreeTube will be required to make a request to your set Invidious instance in order to get the data that you’re wanting. This means that your IP Address will be sent over your Invidious instance along with the minimum required information that may be needed in that request (ex: if you request a channel page, that channel’s ID will be sent along with the request). The Invidious instance will then send it’s IP address to YouTube to fetch the data on your behalf.

Out of the two, using the Invidious API has greater privacy due to it being able to act as a proxy between you and YouTube.

Regardless of which API you use, you should use a VPN alongside FreeTube for even greater privacy.

--

https://docs.freetubeapp.io/usage/privacy/#data

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Antonidus 2y ago

Thanks for your answer, I was not awake I guess, because libretube is on android and freetube on desktop/laptop 🫣.

But thanks to your reaction I learned that I have to use a invidious api on freetube 🙏.

On android I already use Newpipefotr many years and I like it a lot.

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Ava 2y ago

ofc. re: the link above, newpipe is great with a vpn. not so great without since google can still see your ip

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Antonidus 2y ago

And with Libretube they cannot see it without a VPN? Shit I thought I had it running over Tor on Invizble pro, but that does not work.

I have a work profile on my GrapheneOS phone that goes over a vpn and my normal over Tor.

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Ava 2y ago

gotcha. glad i could help clear that up.

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Antonidus 2y ago

Thanks a lot, learning everyday more and there is a lot to learn. Funny how you can think that for example using newpipe was enough. Thanks for this insight.

Going to have a look at Libretube now.

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BTCFalk 2y ago

This is a gregreat note thanks

Already using #GrapheneOS, and Newpipe (also have libretube, but wasn't sure about the differences, and so didn't do the switch for now

Also I procrasginanted on the always-on VPN... My fully doxed user is always-on, but my mane is not, the apeed decrease kills me

Next time I get a new phone I might go even a step further... No more local carrier (only silent link), always on VPN&dich all my old doxed acc... Family and friends who care will live with it... The rest can go f themself

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Bitcrazy 🛀 2y ago

Awesome tips! Haha I like those thoughts. I prefer Newpipe because it now has the Live tab since YT implemented that change, we were left hanging. I used to enjoy Libretube because it had the Live!

I use an esim from Bitrefill anytime I need data on the go, other wise this beautiful Pixel remains offline or on wifi.

Can't use VPN right now at home because my @start9labs node uses mDNS (.local and .onion) to sync my stuff.

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Slimer 2y ago

I had this dilema, i ended up just auto syncing when local and if i need to access use tor browser. That was i can keep using mullvad with orbot taking up the vpn slot

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Ava 2y ago

not sure if i understand correctly, but you can connect orbot to tor without it taking up a vpn slot

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Slimer 2y ago

Doesnt orbot take use up the VPN slot?

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Ava 2y ago

it doesn't have to. only if you want to use it's built-in vpn. instead, use your regular vpn, and open orbot, go to settings, make sure ''start orbot on boot' is ticked. if you can't tap connect, then tap connect from your notification message and you're good. it will auto-connect after that so you can use it as a tor proxy for other apps while staying auto-connected to vpn 😉

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Slimer 2y ago

Ok that worked 😁 i didnt know this... looks like ill be setting up Nextcloud via tor again.

Thank you 🙏🏼

Will i need to give unrestricted battery to Orbot?

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Ava 2y ago

you are welcome. optimized works well. the app doesn't need to be open

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Bitcrazy 🛀 2y ago

I need to try this orbot config. I used to play with it a few months ago with no success. Let me give it a new shot with this specific config (only allowing the apps I need to use Tor and rest VPN)

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Deleted 2y ago

I host some stuff

https://cypherpunktools.com

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Ava 2y ago

nice. will check it out

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BaleNorge 2y ago

Proton VPN results in the tremendous reduction on the speed and make my old 2018 Mac air dead with no Gas

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Ava 2y ago

i haven't experienced this at all. what speed is your internet? have you tried switching servers? what is the side by side speed comparison (with vpn, and without)?

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BaleNorge 2y ago

Well the speed is of 5G and Aussie internet is rubbish. About 400mbps. Haven’t tried switching any servers. Will check what throughput comes with proton.

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Ava 2y ago

i hear ya. just try to make sure there aren't any background (or foreground) processes running to get the best data. looking forward to your results.

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BaleNorge 2y ago

And on my linux with proton I can’t use transmission.

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Ava 2y ago

again, definitely not my experience.

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Ava 2y ago

even when i was in australia

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Bitcrazy 🛀 2y ago

I had the same experience a few months ago on all my devices at home including firestick 4k! I ran all sorts of Network tests you can imagine, and all were unsuccessful. I even emailed Proton at the time and they basically said unplug/replug 😂.

Street a while, I fixed it by disabling VPN accelerator and got my usual speeds.. I suspect that may have fixed the issue then or it could have been my ISP to blame.

The only reason I'm not using it all the time on my GOS now is because of my node config.

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Camillo≋ 1y ago

Do you have any opinion on Windscribe VPN?

Mullvad seems to be the most advised VPN regarding the protection of costumers data

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Richi 1y ago

Great Post!

Unfortunately, the recent update for Proton VPN killed the free plan. It is way worse than before.

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GLACA 1y ago

Bookmarked.

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franzap 1y ago

piped is available everywhere (not only android) and proxies by default! https://piped.video

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Ava 1y ago

nostr:npub1wf4pufsucer5va8g9p0rj5dnhvfeh6d8w0g6eayaep5dhps6rsgs43dgh9 Yes, good looking out! Thx for adding Piped here. I didn't mean to leave it out of my post and will include in the future as this post evolves. 🤙

LibreTube uses Piped API.

From LubreTube Git (linked above)

"LibreTube...proxies all requests via Piped (which uses the NewPipeExtractor). This prevents Google servers from accessing your IP address or any other personal data.

Apart from that, Piped allows syncing your subscriptions between LibreTube and Piped, which can be used on desktop too."