"
More people are turning to a new wave of tools that let them cover their footsteps online or let them know who's watching them.
They're
downloading programs that allow them to see how their online activity
is being monitored or who can get access to their social-media
information. They're turning to browsers and search engines that don't
track their queries, and to services that encrypt their messages. Some
may soon opt for a new wave of phones that help hide their activity from
trackers.
downloading programs that allow them to see how their online activity
is being monitored or who can get access to their social-media
information. They're turning to browsers and search engines that don't
track their queries, and to services that encrypt their messages. Some
may soon opt for a new wave of phones that help hide their activity from
trackers.
The fears about privacy are
widespread. According to the Pew Research Center, half of Americans—up
from 33% in 2009—are concerned about the wealth of personal data on the
Internet.
widespread. According to the Pew Research Center, half of Americans—up
from 33% in 2009—are concerned about the wealth of personal data on the
Internet.
But growing numbers of people
are also staging everyday rebellions against rampant data mining.
According to the same Pew survey, 86% have taken steps to mask their
digital footprints.
are also staging everyday rebellions against rampant data mining.
According to the same Pew survey, 86% have taken steps to mask their
digital footprints.
which keep ads off your screen and prevent the ad companies from getting
data about you, have become the most popular browser extension on the
Web: More than a quarter of Americans have downloaded them, according to
Forrester Research Inc"
"DuckDuckGo and other Google alternatives
have seen traffic soar. Since its founding in 2011, for instance,
DuckDuckGo has risen to 4.5 million visits a day. Ixquick, another
anonymous search browser, had 2.5 million users a day in the spring of
2013, before the Snowden disclosures. Now it has five million a day.
have seen traffic soar. Since its founding in 2011, for instance,
DuckDuckGo has risen to 4.5 million visits a day. Ixquick, another
anonymous search browser, had 2.5 million users a day in the spring of
2013, before the Snowden disclosures. Now it has five million a day.
Many
users are also looking to protect their email. Encrypted and so-called
ephemeral messaging—texts that disappear seconds after you send
them—have become explosively popular among teens, and have long been
used by security professionals.
users are also looking to protect their email. Encrypted and so-called
ephemeral messaging—texts that disappear seconds after you send
them—have become explosively popular among teens, and have long been
used by security professionals.
But now
people who aren't worried about parents or hackers are seeing value in
these apps. WhisperSystems' free encrypted messaging service has had a
3,000% surge in installs since the Snowden revelations, the company
says."
people who aren't worried about parents or hackers are seeing value in
these apps. WhisperSystems' free encrypted messaging service has had a
3,000% surge in installs since the Snowden revelations, the company
says."
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