Really well written no I am not going to give up my apple phone or laptop. I am surprised that apple is as bad as that. i know is google and basically everyone does . as long as they do not start stealing and selling encrypted passwords.
You forgot to include that your phone is literally listening to you. I have had many instances of having a conversation about a topic I've never talked about or searched for before, and soon after getting Facebook ads related to that topic.
I, on the other hand, am not sure how long I can keep doing this as work demands so much more time in 2026. I’m going to keep going for as long as I can. The holidays were cool. I was in Vegas most of last week. It was a nice break thanks.
Offering a parallel perspective — I think privacy conversations often assume it once meant invisibility.
Historically, it didn’t.
One of the earliest U.S. infrastructures built around privacy and oversight was the Postal Service. Its purpose wasn’t anonymity — it was reliability.
Mail only works if the system knows where you are.
Because ya girl needs her FedEx packages delivered, checks to arrive, and if I’m dating the Amazon driver… how else is José supposed to find me?
Phones didn’t invent surveillance. They digitized logistics that already existed.
I worked security escalation on the backend, and risk was always contextual: government, high-profile, or proximity to sensitive data. For most people, the issue wasn’t targeted monitoring — it was bad apps, permissions, or configuration drift.
Android vs iPhone feels less like a privacy debate and more like a control vs convenience tradeoff.
Neither removes responsibility.
For most users, privacy isn’t a platform choice — it’s literacy and intentional use.
Love the add here and I agree, it's not just the iPhone but I do LOVE to pick on Apple hahaha. I think both iPhone and Android are horrible for privacy now....
Personally I am extreme, no sim card now in my rebuilt non-stock android OS and very limited use....
So it's hard for most people, I do understand that and lol about dating the amazon driver hahahah
Well I understand as I have pattern recognition skills as well due to my brain.
Most humans shouldn't do what I do BUT they would protect themselves a bit if they knew and admitted the threat the current state of big tech and the world is...
Not hard to sandbox your banking and important conversations.
BUt yeah there's a lot of nuance and no perfect answer yet.....
HEY ...Thanks for sharing. I am still an Android user and was planning to buy Apple. But what about Apple laptops? I am doing all my work on that. Luke?
Lol the last line made me chuckle. Android user here too, but now I'm curious if they still collect data even when you opt out!?
I prefer to use my desktop more these days too, it feels more deliberate and getting into work mode rather than having access to everything all the time, anytime...and means I'm more present when I'm not at my desk
Well I know it’s a long article but there is a court case I mentioned where Apple staff admit they don’t do what they say (value your privacy) and stock android is no better.
But yeah overall it helps if we have less tech to focus more on what we are doing i think. so win win
I'm not surprised that they do whatever they want regardless. Yeh I saw the links, but I'm not going down those rabbit holes today. I'll get lost in it and forget to finish what's on my list 🤣
One of the best articles I’ve read since I joined the community. Awesome read and intel. I have to read more!
Thank you 🙏🏾
Dude thank you for the compliment and taking the time to read it. Means a lot.
Same to you bro!
Of course!! I look forward to staying connected
Cheers!
Really well written no I am not going to give up my apple phone or laptop. I am surprised that apple is as bad as that. i know is google and basically everyone does . as long as they do not start stealing and selling encrypted passwords.
And I respect your choice!
Google is just as bad and actually worse in some ways than Apple… I am kind of a nerd so I love doing my best to avoid all this.
But I understand those that just use Apple and do their best.
Thank you for reading!
You forgot to include that your phone is literally listening to you. I have had many instances of having a conversation about a topic I've never talked about or searched for before, and soon after getting Facebook ads related to that topic.
Yap I could’ve gone off forever! If u can’t shut off the mic and sandbox ur phone it is always listening to you which is horrific.
I never upgraded to an iPhone.
They would make fun of me at the office all the time, but nope, I love my Android.
On another note, Happy New Year, Luke. All the best to you, friend.
PS - The most challenging thing is opening up social media after a holiday break lol
Oh I bet!! I on the other hand brought my face back hahaha n tryin again.
Hope u had the best holidays!! n ate good food n such
I see that lol
Best of Luck.
I, on the other hand, am not sure how long I can keep doing this as work demands so much more time in 2026. I’m going to keep going for as long as I can. The holidays were cool. I was in Vegas most of last week. It was a nice break thanks.
You know i understand! and vegas lets go thats fun....
I've got one more generational run in me and then it's back the shadows for the rest of time lol
hah.
I think I’m out of time lol.
lol well wish me luck ill fackin need it!!!!
Good luck. You won't need it Luke 😂
Offering a parallel perspective — I think privacy conversations often assume it once meant invisibility.
Historically, it didn’t.
One of the earliest U.S. infrastructures built around privacy and oversight was the Postal Service. Its purpose wasn’t anonymity — it was reliability.
Mail only works if the system knows where you are.
Because ya girl needs her FedEx packages delivered, checks to arrive, and if I’m dating the Amazon driver… how else is José supposed to find me?
Phones didn’t invent surveillance. They digitized logistics that already existed.
I worked security escalation on the backend, and risk was always contextual: government, high-profile, or proximity to sensitive data. For most people, the issue wasn’t targeted monitoring — it was bad apps, permissions, or configuration drift.
Android vs iPhone feels less like a privacy debate and more like a control vs convenience tradeoff.
Neither removes responsibility.
For most users, privacy isn’t a platform choice — it’s literacy and intentional use.
Love the add here and I agree, it's not just the iPhone but I do LOVE to pick on Apple hahaha. I think both iPhone and Android are horrible for privacy now....
Personally I am extreme, no sim card now in my rebuilt non-stock android OS and very limited use....
So it's hard for most people, I do understand that and lol about dating the amazon driver hahahah
Totally fair — I’m AuDHD and tend to notice patterns, so I agree it’s really the entire ecosystem.
Extreme setups make sense with the right threat model; for most people it’s more about informed participation than purity.
I really appreciate the space for nuance here — and yep, logistics still matter… José can’t deliver without an address 😄
Well I understand as I have pattern recognition skills as well due to my brain.
Most humans shouldn't do what I do BUT they would protect themselves a bit if they knew and admitted the threat the current state of big tech and the world is...
Not hard to sandbox your banking and important conversations.
BUt yeah there's a lot of nuance and no perfect answer yet.....
Especially if u want JOse to show up!!
It was a powerful read Luke, and I will also try reducing phone time!
It was an impressive and insightful read, Luke! I may start thinking in the direction of digital minimalism and presence in the real world.
I appreciate you taking the time to read!
HEY ...Thanks for sharing. I am still an Android user and was planning to buy Apple. But what about Apple laptops? I am doing all my work on that. Luke?
Well it depends if you care about privacy or not….. But it’s a deep dark rabbithole.
Lol the last line made me chuckle. Android user here too, but now I'm curious if they still collect data even when you opt out!?
I prefer to use my desktop more these days too, it feels more deliberate and getting into work mode rather than having access to everything all the time, anytime...and means I'm more present when I'm not at my desk
Well I know it’s a long article but there is a court case I mentioned where Apple staff admit they don’t do what they say (value your privacy) and stock android is no better.
But yeah overall it helps if we have less tech to focus more on what we are doing i think. so win win
I'm not surprised that they do whatever they want regardless. Yeh I saw the links, but I'm not going down those rabbit holes today. I'll get lost in it and forget to finish what's on my list 🤣
I came out of a 10 day silent meditation several years ago and didn’t turn my phone on for 2 months.
It was the most productive 2 months of my life.