this post was submitted on 19 Jun 2026
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OK, I've posted this elsewhere and took a moment to find it:
Phone on airplane mode (eliminates WiFi/BT cellular & GPS tracking)
run physical mobile hotspot device for data (like Calyx hotspot - +1pt if you pick Moxee or Orbic model to also run rayhunter from EFF)
connect to hotspot over WiFi with random MAC addresses (effectively eliminates IMSI tracking)
Enable a solid VPN with Kill switch. (Helps hide location and other usage from ISP)
Use e2ee chat/text/phone apps over WiFi like Signal, SimpleX, XMPP server or app (servers=Jabber, Prosody, Snikket, etc apps are Cheogram, Snikket, Conversations - eliminates carrier tracking to an extent unless you can also get your friends and family on it)
Run a degoogled OS with profiles capability
Run alt app stores - preferably F-Droid or something without Google services
Run Firefox forks like Librewolf or Waterfox or even Ironfox with Port Authority and Privacy Badger extensions
Use a more private search engine or host your own. I like Ecosia which does have some ads, but they're not evil (yet) and help with reforestation. There are others, I forget names. Someone can add to this list.
Something you can do to help your wife though, without running anything additional, run an adblocker like Pi-hole, Adguard, eBlocker, or Technitium
Bonus: focus on FOSS and/or other non-US tech based companies. Proton, Mullvad, Nord, and US/CAN based goodness are EFF, Calyx Institute, Privacy4Cars, so many more
That's a solid start, some easier than others obviously. Others should add to this list!
Edit: duh, forgot to say use a private email like Proton mail where you can use aliases and also SimpleLogin for additional domains/addresses that forward. I use those for insurance shopping, car shopping, or other stuff you have to have an email to communicate, and when you're done, just delete or deactivate the alias to cut spam or data being sold.
I just use a VPN app on the phone. You can prevent the phone from connecting directly and always to connect through the VPN
Yes, that sounds like the kill switch so no connections go through without the VPN.
You can select always on VPN for the same effect. It's not 100% guaranteed, but going directly is basically considered a bug