Category Archives: Privacy

The Best Social Media Apps for Privacy

In an age where nearly every click, like, and message is tracked, the call for private and secure social media platforms is louder than ever. With major platforms frequently making headlines for data breaches, invasive ad tracking, or mishandled user data, more users are seeking alternatives that prioritize privacy.

You probably don’t want to give up your Instagram, TikTok, or X (formerly Twitter) accounts because other apps have better approaches to privacy. However, you may want to branch out and put more time into platforms that aren’t primarily in the business of collecting data and using it to entice people to buy stuff.

This article explores the best social media apps that offer strong privacy features and the pros and cons of using them. Plus, you’ll learn how you can take control of your data online.

The Rise of Privacy-Focused Platforms

Privacy-first social media platforms have emerged in response to growing concerns about surveillance capitalism and the commodification of personal information. These apps typically avoid collecting user data, offer end-to-end encryption, and avoid algorithm-driven engagement models.

Advantages:

  • Minimal Data Collection: Many of these apps collect little to no personal information.
  • End-to-End Encryption: Ensures that only the intended recipients can view messages or posts.
  • No Ads or Tracking: Users aren’t tracked for advertising purposes.
  • Open-Source Codebases: Some platforms allow public auditing for transparency.

Disadvantages:

  • Smaller User Base: Fewer people use these platforms, limiting how many people you can connect with and reach.
  • Limited Features: They may lack advanced functionality common on major networks.
  • Monetization Challenges: Without ad revenue, some platforms rely on donations or subscriptions. Creators looking for apps with revenue sharing will need to stick with the biggest players, such as YouTube and Instagram.

The Best Apps for Online Privacy

1. Reddit

Why it’s a top choice: Reddit is a well-established and trusted haven for people interested in sharing their unfiltered opinions. It’s geared towards anonymous discussions, as users only have a username associated with their account and no profile picture.

Privacy features: Browse anonymously, control location customization, manage email preferences, and filter content based on age or content type.

Best for: Discussions about special interests and niche interests (such as specific video games) with people with a wide breadth of knowledge and experience.

2. Snapchat

Why it’s a top choice: The entire concept of Snapchat is based around privacy: content that’s viewable for 24 hours. The app’s disappearing messages and screenshot notifications make it less likely that data is collected or misused by others.

Privacy features: Control who can contact you, view your story, see your location, and use your Cameos selfie. Use “Ghost Mode” to hide your location on the Snap Map.

Best for: People who have posted stories and multimedia content on Instagram and are seeking an alternative that has a healthy user base.

3. Signal

Why it’s a top choice: Originally known for secure messaging, Signal has expanded into sharing media and group communication. It’s all protected with end-to-end encryption.

Privacy features: No metadata collection, disappearing messages, open-source protocol.

Best for: Secure communication, activism, and private group chats.

4. Mastodon

Why it’s a top choice: A decentralized social network where users join independently run servers.

Privacy features: No central authority, customizable privacy settings, moderation at the community level.

Best for: Users who want a Twitter-like experience without centralized tracking.

5. MeWe

Why it’s a top choice: Marketed as the “anti-Facebook,” MeWe doesn’t track users or serve ads.

Privacy features: No data mining, end-to-end encrypted chats, no algorithmic feeds.

Best for: Facebook-style networking without the privacy concerns.

6. Minds

Why it’s a top choice: An open-source platform offering blockchain-based incentives and user control.

Privacy features: Encrypted messaging, content monetization without surveillance, transparency.

Best for: Creators, thinkers, and privacy-conscious users who want to earn rewards.

7. Element (Matrix)

Why it’s a top choice: A secure collaboration app built on the Matrix protocol. It gives users maximum ownership and control as it can be self-hosted.

Privacy features: End-to-end encrypted messaging and video, open-source, decentralized hosting.

Best for: Teams or individuals who want a Slack-like experience with more emphasis on security.

Why Online Privacy Matters on Social Media

Social media platforms gather vast amounts of personal data.

Everything from your location, behavior, and relationships is stored. Typically, the data is used for targeted advertising or shared with third parties. This comes at the cost of user autonomy and can have serious implications in terms of surveillance, identity theft, or manipulation.

Key reasons privacy matters:

  • Protecting personal identity and information
  • Preventing data misuse or breaches
  • Maintaining freedom of expression
  • Avoiding manipulation via targeted content

How to Improve Your Online Privacy

Many people use social media to reach as wide an audience as possible. And at the end of the day, it’s about staying connected with friends, family, and coworkers.

Thus, it’s understandable that many people want to stick with the apps with the most users and are considering widening their horizons with privacy-focused platforms.

If you continue using mainstream platforms, here are steps to safeguard your privacy:

  • Review privacy settings: Customize who can see your posts and profile information.
  • Limit third-party app access: Disconnect unused apps linked to your social accounts.
  • Use strong, unique passwords: Be sure to enable two-factor authentication as well.
  • Be mindful of what you share: Especially personal identifiers like location or workplace.
  • Use a VPN: To mask your IP and browsing activity from trackers. View the top VPNs recommended by LetMeBy here.

Choosing a New Social Media App

It’s easy to get caught up in the details when considering which privacy-focused social media platform is best tailored to your purposes.

Start by comparing the fundamentals of online privacy, which apply to all apps.

When exploring alternatives, ask yourself:

  • Does the app collect or sell user data?
  • Is encryption used, and if so, is it end-to-end?
  • Is the app open source or independently audited?
  • Who owns and operates the platform?

When to Consider Switching Apps

Many grew up with apps such as Facebook, but sometimes you need to get rid of the old to make room for the new. Switching apps rather than simply adding newer apps grants you the next level of focus and efficiency.

Privacy is just a part of what makes a social media app better than the rest. That being said, you might consider switching when:

  • A current platform experiences a major data breach.
  • You notice increased tracking or unwanted targeted ads.
  • You want more control over your content and interactions.
  • You’re uncomfortable with how your data is being used or shared.

Conclusion

The mainstream apps many of us use every day have many strengths, but giving you the ability to maintain strong online privacy isn’t one of them.

The good news is that the amount of choice out there in terms of privacy-focused platforms is nothing short of incredible. The bad news is that any social media app is only as good as its user base, and the apps with the best privacy are growing but still far behind behemoths like Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

Should You Use a VPN in Battlefield?

There’s nothing like the rush from a good round of Battlefield, but as the song by Poison taught us, every rose has its thorn. After encounters with cheaters aka hackers that are inevitably a part of the multiplayer experience, gamers are finding ways to protect their online privacy.

As EA can only do so much to keep threats at bay, it pays to be proactive about safe gaming practices, find solutions yourself, and experiment.

Using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) while playing Battlefield titles like Battlefield 1, Battlefield 5, and Battlefield 2042 can offer both advantages and potential roadblocks. Savvy players fire up their VPNs to reduce latency, access region-locked servers, or enhance online privacy. However, it’s essential to understand Electronic Arts’ (EA) stance on VPN usage, the experiences of other gamers, and the security implications involved.

EA’s Position on VPN Usage

First things first, are VPNs even allowed?

EA doesn’t explicitly prohibit the use of VPNs for playing Battlefield games. In community discussions, EA representatives have stated that using a VPN is generally acceptable. For instance, in a forum thread discussing VPN usage for better connectivity, an EA community manager responded:

“You can use a VPN without any issues.” (forums.ea.com)

However, while EA may allow VPN usage, individual game servers—especially those managed by third parties—might have their own rules. Some servers are configured to detect and kick players using VPNs to prevent potential abuse or cheating. As highlighted in a community discussion:

“If you’re using a VPN for whatever reason, there are a lot of servers that are set to kick players who use VPNs. So, keep that in mind.” (steamcommunity.com)

Another point to keep in mind is that when you use a VPN it assigns you an IP address, and if that IP has been flagged or banned, you won’t be able to connect to the servers and find a match.

Redditors’ Experiences with VPNs in Battlefield

Reddit has big communities for all flavors of Battlefield. Gamers share their experiences and solutions related to VPN usage with multiplayer. Some players have reported improved connectivity and reduced lag when using VPNs, especially when their default internet routes are suboptimal. For example, a Reddit user mentioned that using a VPN significantly lowered their ping, making the game more responsive.

Other Battlefield fans have faced frustrations, such as being unable to connect to certain servers or experiencing unexpected disconnections. These mixed outcomes underscore the importance of choosing a reliable VPN service and being aware of server-specific policies.

Security Considerations for Online Privacy in Battlefield

Unlike the older Call of Duty games, active Battlefield games such as Battlefield 1, Battlefield 5, and Battlefield 2042 are generally safe. However, it never hurts to protect your account and your device.

For players concerned about online privacy, using a VPN can provide an added layer of security by encrypting internet traffic and masking IP addresses. This can help protect against potential threats like DDoS attacks or unauthorized tracking.

EA emphasizes the importance of security and encourages players to report any vulnerabilities:

“It’s important to us to fix potential security issues in our games, products, and services to protect our players.” (forums.battlefield.com)

While EA strives to maintain a secure gaming environment, players should also take personal measures. Using strong, unique passwords for gaming accounts, enabling two-factor authentication, and staying informed about potential security threats are all best practices.

Cheating in Battlefield

Cheating in Battlefield’s multiplayer has been a persistent issue.

Some players use hacks and cheat software to gain unfair advantages with aimbots, wallhacks, and other exploits. This undermines fair play and at times it ruins the fun for legit players.

To combat this, developers have implemented various anti-cheat measures. For instance, in Battlefield V, DICE focused on enhancing client security, scaling detection efforts, and exploring additional deterrence methods alongside account bans. Despite these efforts, reports of cheating persist across the series. People who refuse to follow the rules are persistent and somehow, they always find new workarounds and methods.

Battlefield has a loyal following which is another aspect that makes it enticing to cheaters. As of this writing, Battlefield 1 and Battlefield V have the most concurrent players in the series, with 11,800 and 9,000 players respectively.

Various bad actors and the massive size of Battlefield’s online community are two more reasons to consider enabling a VPN during play sessions.

Conclusion

Leveraging a VPN in Battlefield can enhance your gaming experience by potentially reducing lag and offering access to different regional servers. Still, it’s essential to be aware of EA’s guidelines, individual server rules, and the experiences of other VPN users.

Prioritizing both connectivity and security ensures a smoother and safer gaming experience. That is until you get blasted by a Sherman tank.

ChatGPT vs. Deepseek: Which is Better for Privacy?

There’s no doubt that AI-powered tools have revolutionized how we work.

It’s even changed how we see the world. With the release of ChatGPT, AI became a subject that was discussed at the dinner table.

Business leaders and individuals alike are experimenting with AI apps and rushing to determine how they can integrate them into their organizations and their workflows. Nevertheless, in this rush to keep up with the times, we mustn’t let online privacy become an afterthought.

Competition Leads to Better Privacy

ChatGPT may have set the bar, but contenders like Deepseek have proven that anything can happen in the AI space, and it can happen fast.

Deepseek astonished the tech giants with its latest large language models (LLL). AI models such as DeepSeek R1 are comparable with Open Ai’s flagship ChatGPT-4o and Claude Sonnet 3.5.

This competition is not only a pivotal part of the story that will lead to better and better AI, it means more choice for users. Now, privacy-focused individuals can compare the privacy policies of AI apps and make informed decisions about how they use them.

In terms of privacy, ChatGPT and Deepseek have many similarities on the surface. However, as you dig deeper it becomes clear that ChatGPT has put more effort into creating policies and features that give users some level of control over their data.

How ChatGPT and Deepseek are Alike

Before getting into how ChatGPT and Deepseek stack up against each other, it makes sense to start with their similarities.

Both apps are chatbots. It’s a lot like messaging friends with Meta’s Messenger. Only in this case, you’re chatting with AI. Once users type in their questions or explain what they’re looking for, chatbots generate incredibly polished and detailed answers.

Like any apps that require sign-up, both apps collect personal data such as name, email, and phone number. Additionally, technical data such as your IP address as well as usage data such as feature usage are stored.

ChatGPT collects data from user prompts, uploaded files, and conversations. Deepseek collects all the same data in addition to user feedback.

Thus, in terms of input, ChatGPT and Deepseek are identical. The same chat data goes in, but the first crucial factor is to determine how that input is stored, and how it’s potentially used.

Where Your Data Goes

Deepseek’s privacy policy reveals that all user data is stored on secure servers in China. As ChatGPT is a US-based company, it stores user data on US servers.

This means that Deepseek and ChatGPT follow vastly different laws set by the countries they operate in.

Deepseek is subject to the Cybersecurity Law of China (2017) and the Data Security Law (2021). These laws grant the Chinese government access to a wide array of user data.

Data that can be requested and sent to Chinese authorities include sensitive user inputs, conversations, and even login credentials.

For US citizens and other people who live outside of China, this might be concerning because they could be subjected to the surveillance laws of a foreign country.

Controlling Your Data

Deepseek collects more user data than ChatGPT overall.

Any chats you have in Deepseek can be used to train its AI. The app also includes third-party tracking. It collects behavioral analytics, even outside of Deepseek.

To top it off, Deepseek shares data with advertisers, corporate affiliates, and legal entities and there’s no way to opt out as a user.

The data ChatGPT collects isn’t as extensive. Most importantly, it allows people to have control over their data. Functionality is provided so all user data that was collected can be deleted. Additionally, it’s possible to opt out of sharing data to train its AI.

Compliance with the Laws of Foreign Countries

ChatGPT has greater transparency in terms of which laws it is compliant with that originate outside of the US. It explicitly states that it is GDPR and CCPA compliant. GDPR is the EU data protection law and CCPA is the California Consumer Privacy Act.

Deepseek lacks transparency about compliance. Certainly, it follows China’s privacy laws but it can’t be assumed that laws in the US and Europe are followed to the same extent.

Conclusion

By default, AI apps collect user data fairly aggressively. However, Deepseek’s privacy policy reveals that it’s even more hungry for your data than ChatGPT. Deepseek is a ground-breaking AI app, but it has a long way to go in terms of considering the online privacy of its users.

Two notable differences between Deepseek and ChatGPT are the level of control the user has over their data as well as transparency.

ChatGPT offers opportunities to opt out of data collection. Plus, it provides options for removing your data. With Deepseek, the user isn’t’ given tools to manage their data. It isn’t clear whether it’s compliant with laws such as GDPR and CCPA or not.

Is Your Data Safe with AI App Deepseek?

TikTok is the popular app that’s often been cited as a potential threat to the online privacy of Americans. However, there’s a new kid on the block that privacy-focused people should be even more careful with.

It’s a new AI app called Deepseek.

Deepseek is breaking new ground in AI. People are rushing to try it due to the hype on social media and in the headlines. However, privacy experts advise that people should exercise caution when chatting with Deepseek’s AI.

How Deepseek Made Waves

Recently, Deepseek has exploded in popularity. It’s right up there at the very top of the Google Play store at the time of this writing, right along with rival ChatGPT.

Deepseek’s rise was so dramatic that Donald Trump called it a “wake-up call” for US companies that have invested heavily in AI, such as Microsoft, OpenAI, and Nvidia. It sent Nvidia’s stock price plummeting nearly 17% in late January, setting a record for the largest single-day loss in stock market history.

The message the market sent was clear. China is a force to be reckoned with in AI. And moving forward US competitors won’t underestimate companies like Deepseek and Alibaba again.

Investors and businesspeople alike are astonished that Deepseek achieved performance comparable with ChatGPT with only $5.6M in development costs. It took OpenAI over $3B to develop GPT-4.

Diving into Deepseek: How it Works

Deepseek was founded in May 2023, and in 2025 it reached the limelight. This surge in popularity was largely due to Its newest large language models. DeepSeek-V3 and DeepSeek-R1 are revolutionary in their efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

DeepSeek-V3 is a general-purpose model that’s trained to answer the user’s questions. DeepSeek-R1 can question itself. It’s geared towards advanced reasoning tasks and deep thinking.

If you’ve ever used ChatGPT you know what to expect in terms of how you interact with Deepseek’s AI. It’s essentially a chat interface not much different from Meta’s Messenger, only with AI on the other end generating detailed and polished replies. Simply type in your question or specify what information you’re looking for.

The Data Deepseek Collects About You

So, what exactly does Deepseek collect about its users?

The personal data you share during sign-up as well as “text or audio input, prompt, uploaded files, feedback, chat history,” may be collected and stored by the company.

Additionally, when you contact Deepseek it can “collect the information you send us, such as proof of identity or age, feedback or inquiries about your use of the Service or information about possible violations of our Terms of Service (our “Terms”) or other policies.”

Certain data is collected automatically. Technical information such as your IP address and operating system are stored. Deepseek maintains a list of devices that you use to access the app so that all of them are associated with your account. This is common as it allows tech companies to deal with people who abuse their services.

The next part is a little strange at first glance. The app automatically gathers “keystroke patterns or rhythms.” This could be a way to identify bots so they can potentially be blocked from using Deepseek’s services.

To China or Not to China

Some people don’t see a big difference between Deepseek and other AI apps like ChatGPT in terms of privacy. Both Deepseek and ChatGPT may store what’s said during chat sessions.

The key difference to consider is ChatGPT is operated by a US company while Deepseek is based in China. So, the data that’s collected about you by Deepseek is stored on secure servers in China.

Even if one concludes that ChatGPT and Deepseek operate similarly as a company, it isn’t the company itself that’s in question. The political landscape is vastly different in China. And the governments in the US and China have values that couldn’t be more distinct.

As an American, when you use ChatGPT your data remains in America. When you use Deepseek your data is collected by a foreign company that must abide by laws of the land. Unlikely or not, many Americans aren’t comfortable with the idea of a foreign government probing companies like Deepseek for information about US citizens.

Information to Avoid Sharing with Deepseek

If you decide to try out Deepseek, proceed with caution. Avoid sharing information about yourself or about your loved ones that you consider private. Think twice about sharing media such as audio or images that reveal information that you wouldn’t be comfortable with distributing online.

A good rule of thumb is if you wouldn’t post it on Facebook or Instagram you shouldn’t share it with Deepseek. Keep in mind that anything you type in the app could theoretically be stored on servers in China for years.

Conclusion

Hot apps like Deepseek often incite a feeling of missing out. When it seems like everybody knows all about it and you haven’t even created an account, it’s normal to want to catch up to the crowd.

All popular AI apps have privacy implications to be aware of, but since Deepseek is based outside the US, there’s a whole other layer to consider.

Top VPN-Ready Routers for Your Home Network

Once the domain of networking specialists in a business setting, routers with VPN capabilities built-in are now accessible to everyone. It’s become one of the top features people look for when choosing a new router for their home network.

It’s true, there’s another way to enable a VPN at the router level.

You can get a router from FlashRouters with business-class DD-WRT firmware installed for you or install it yourself. However, going in this direction isn’t recommended unless you’re comfortable with the complexity it will add to running your network. Simply put, it isn’t as elegant a solution for the average user or small business.

For most people, it makes sense to choose a wireless router with simple, intuitive firmware that’s VPN-ready out of the box. There are more choices than ever that do just that.

VPN-Friendly Brands

Many of the top router brands have followed the lead of Asus and Synology by including VPN features. Nevertheless, the fact remains that both of these names remain the top choices. They are consistently releasing feature-rich routers that allow you to easily connect to a VPN service.

This guide focuses on the brands that offer VPN features across their product line. This empowers you to choose a specific router based on your needs. And to make things easy, a top pick was chosen from both the Asus and Synology camps.

Router You Need vs. One You Want

Accessing the Internet through a VPN uses up more of the router’s resources than a regular connection. Consequently, pay special attention to the CPU specs. A dual-core processor running at 1.0 GHz or greater is recommended. This is to ensure the router CPU doesn’t bottleneck the performance of web browsing, torrents, and downloads.

You need a capable router if you plan to use a VPN, but if taken too far you’ll overpay for a router with horsepower you’ll never tap into. If you live in a very large house, have a big family and/or ISP offering a bleeding-edge connection speed, going high-end may be worth it. However, you don’t need one of the beefiest models just to connect to a VPN.

Asus Wi-Fi Routers

With competitive prices, a wide selection of routers, and deep VPN capabilities across the board, Asus is a good place to start your search.

AsusWRT is the stock firmware preinstalled on Asus routers. It supports OpenVPN, L2TP, and PPTP encryption protocols.

Although not as cutting-edge on the software side as Synology, Asus knows hardware. They’ve been a major player in computer hardware since 1989.

ASUS RT-AC86U (AC2900) (1.8 GHz – dual-core) [Amazon]

ASUS RT-AX3000 (1.5 GHz – tri-core) [Amazon]

ASUS RT-AX88U PRO (2.0 GHz – quad-core) [Amazon]

Top Pick: Asus RT-AC86U [Amazon]

Despite its playful exterior meant to appeal to gamers, this is a serious router. It’s powerful enough to cover very large homes and brings cutting-edge tech to the masses.

Asus boasts blistering data transfer speeds of up to 2900 Mbps. The Wi-Fi signal is transmitted dual-band (2.4 + 5 GHz) via the latest 802.11ac MU-MIMO technology. That’s an impressive feat considering the reasonable price point.

Inside there’s a 1.8 GHz dual-core processor, 512 MB of RAM, plus 256 MB of flash storage.

Synology Wi-Fi Routers

Synology is primarily known for its excellent NAS solutions. Nevertheless, the company managed to impress tech enthusiasts with their first router, the RT1900AC, and they’ve built upon that foundation by adding the powerhouse RT2600AC and then the mesh-friendly MR2200AC.

The easy-to-navigate Synology Control Panel allows you to painlessly set up and connect to a VPN service. There is comprehensive protocol support, which includes OpenVPN, PPTP, and L2TP/IPSec.

This interface is like a sleek mini-OS dedicated to your router. And it’s a fresh yet familiar approach.

Synology MR2200AC (717 MHz – quad-core) [Amazon]

Synology RT2600AC (1.7 GHz – dual-core) [Amazon]

Synology RT6600ax (1.8 GHz – quad-core) [Amazon]

Top Pick: Synology RT2600AC [Amazon]

The RT2600AC is Synology’s former flagship, and it’s now its mid-range offering. This model improves on their first router the RT1900AC in every way. As a formidable unit with four antennas, the gargantuan appearance is matched by solid performance.

Although those who crave AX Wi-Fi speeds should opt for the Synology RT6600ax, most households will be well served by the RT2600AC.

MU-MIMO and the latest 802.11ac Wave 2 standard is supported, giving the router a top speed of 800Mbps and 1733Mbps on the 2.4GHz and 5GHz radios respectively.

It’s powered by a dual-core 1.7 GHz CPU and has 512 MB of DDR3 memory.

Wrapping It Up

Home users are ready for routers with VPN features, but open-source firmware solutions like DD-WRT may not be ready for them. That’s because technical know-how is still needed to gain the rich feature set.

Asus and Synology have managed to balance ease of use with advanced features. So while many are focused on router hardware specs, the importance of superior firmware can’t be ignored.