When I was in the UK recently, I heard a few first-hand experiences of mobile phone thefts by force, which resulted in a lot of financial and emotional harm. The police are dealing with record-high cases of "theft from the person (https://www.ft.com/content/26be349d-4717-4815-a221-a749e29de2b2)" events. When you think about it, if someone threatens to cut off your arm with a machete unless you hand over your unlocked phone you are probably going to do it, unless you are Jackie Chan..! So I started looking into how to mitigate the harm if something like this happened to me. This took me down a massive rabbit hole about personal security and privacy practices, and having addressed the original threat thanks to nostr:npub1235tem4hfn34edqh8hxfja9amty73998f0eagnuu4zm423s9e8ksdg0ht5, I'm now actively reducing my reliance on big tech, aka surveillance capitalism, which is all part of becoming a more #selfsovereign individual.

#FOSS #Security #Privacy #Surveillance #GOS

PSA: Don't forget "it only takes two to make a #bitcoin meetup" #freedom tech #FOSS #nostrplebs

nostr:note12ts05j3qmkr8a8eu840s4nkmjxmyl347wp96hqk75xxq3hcxnltsppcvv9

Yeah, I guess I need to look more into #selfhosting options. I have a pretty heavily locked down home network running a pfsense hardware firewall with little IT knowledge so figuring out firewall rules is a bit daunting. What other #FOSS apps do you recomend? I use Magic Earth and NewPipe the most

I transitioned to #GOS recently, it is such a liberating feeling.

I took the additional step of never running Google Services Framework on my ‘owner profile’ and using only apps that are #FOSS or don't require GSF.

I have another profile for the occasions when I need to use such apps requiring GSF. This slight inconvenience is a good way of making me think twice about installing apps and which ones, if I do.

It’s definitely a journey with a fair few workarounds… for instance, I haven't found a good backup solution for data held by apps so I have installed Protonmail’s Drive which auto sync’s photos to the cloud.

#degoogle your life for the win

GrapheneOS #freedom 🧡

Have you checked our NewPipe? https://newpipe.net/FAQ/download/ #FOSS

Low #privacy and high #security is what you call a prison! #freedom fighters need to unite or sacrifice our children to glass prisons and not have the ability to think critically for themselves. Let's take a look at Australia's centralisation of power:

1. Australia introduced world-first laws mandating electronic providers to code "backdoors" into devices sold in Australia, or apps used in Australia, that can be accessed at any time by law enforcement.

“The Telecommunications and Other Legislation Amendment (Assistance and Access) Act 2018 (the Assistance and Access Act) equips agencies with the tools they need to effectively operate in the digital era and keep the Australian community safe. The Assistance and Access Act introduced some key reforms to help its agencies access the evidence and intelligence they need by:

• enhancing industry cooperation with law enforcement and security agencies

• improving agency computer access powers.

2. The Currency (Restrictions on the Use of Cash) Bill 2019. The purpose of the Bill is to create offences where an entity makes or accepts cash payments of $10,000 or more. Cash includes both physical and digital currency.

3. The first country in the world to install an "eSafety Commissioner" to clamp down on free speech of Australians—who also believes Australia's laws should be mandated outside the country on social media platforms. (The eSafety Commissioner is unelected, isn't an Australian citizen, and was formerly offered a job by the CIA)

4. Digital ID (Transitional and Consequential Provisions) Bill 2023 The Digital ID Bill will put in place the legislative framework to create an economy-wide Digital ID system in Australia.

The Bill will strengthen an Accreditation Scheme for Digital ID service providers and enable the expansion of the Australian Government Digital ID System to states and territories and, in time, the private sector.

5. Then we see whistleblowers put in jail... https://hrlc.org.au/news/2024/05/1

As long as you run a full node you will be one of the guardians of the #bitcoin protocol.

You will have the ability to

transmit valid tx

ban / filter out invalid tx

allow new joiners to download the blockchain from you (if you allow incoming traffic)

represent an obstacle to unreasonable “upgrade” by not upgrading.

more #private about your own transactions and verify everything from scratch yourself without having to trust a third party node.

Thanks to Ministry of Nodes' guide I have been running a full node flawlessly for two plus years https://www.ministryofnodes.com.au/ubuntu-node-box-guide-2022 #privacy nostr:npub16uu27ark63w72qlrzvavp4kfp8ndkxz26eyzke6uckqr0v3k0k2q3sx0h6 DONT TRUST VERIFY

I'm in a similar boat, what is it you need about LinkedIn? I'd love your feedback as I'm trying to scope out the possibility of a nostr powered alternative to LinkedIn.

Trail running and circuit training at high altitude in a gym called Airlocker

Join a local Bitcoin meetup. ✅

Joining a local Bitcoin meetup, I think is an excellent way to learn more about Bitcoin and meet other Bitcoin enthusiasts. By attending these meetups, we can learn about new developments in the Bitcoin space, share our knowledge with others, and make valuable connections.

If there are no Bitcoin meetups close by, remember it only takes two to make a Bitcoin meetup! If you make it, eventually they will come.

https://www.citadel21.com/gather-your-tribe h/t to WizardofAus

I'm on a personal quest to become an ever better bitcoiner...

I hope posting these achievements will inspire others and also act as a reference point for a combination of education, responsible investing, and active participation in the bitcoin community.