As early as next month, Discord could enable their global age verification measures. #privacy #ageverification theprivacycloud.substack.com/p/discord-wi...

Discord plans to move forward with their global age verification measures. It could come as early as next month. Now’s the time to move away from Discord if you do not want go through the process. #privacy #ageverification #discord theprivacycloud.substack.com/p/discord-wi...

"US Law Enforcement Warns of ‘Anti-Tech Extremism’ as AI Hatred Grows" "Linux devs are fighting the new age-gated internet" "After Town Bans Flock, Councilmember Crashes Out, Proposes Internet and Phone Ban" "Google is shrinking free storage from 15GB to 5GB unless you add a verified phone number"

“But instead, politicians seek to massively invade everyone’s privacy and undermine democratic rights on a global scale. In other words, the latter is the real objective – they do not want to protect children; they want to impose control.” #privacy #ageverification mullvad.net/en/blog/age-...

"Utah Wants Websites To See Through VPNs. That’s Not How VPNs Work." "Major VPN provider says it could leave Canada over lawful access bill" "Cities Are Covering Flock Cameras With Trash Bags" "DuckDuckGo installs are up 30% as users reject being ‘force-fed’ Google’s AI Search"

We have 99 days to stop Google from implementing the Android Developer Verification program, which demands developers verify themselves before they can develop Android apps. Keep Android Open is a campaign being raised that calls for Google to drop the verification program. keepandroidopen.org

Discord now has e2ee voice and video calls, but not DMs. Interesting timing since in a few months, Discord will roll out their global age verification measures for a second time (originally meant for March 2026, it’s now set for the second half of 2026). www.digitaltrends.com/computing/di...

Android users: You should check out Molly, a Signal fork that aims to improve the official Signal app. #privacy #security theprivacycloud.substack.com/p/what-is-mo...

Canada’s C-22 bill is a surveillance overreach that paves the way to backdoor encrypted communications of users around the world. www.eff.org/deeplinks/2...

"FreeTube is a free and open source YouTube client that is available for Windows, Mac, and Linux. FreeTube blocks ads and prevents Google from tracking you as you watch your videos." #privacy #youtube theprivacycloud.substack.com/p/how-to-wat...

"Meta’s ‘Pervert Glasses’ Are Turning People Into Creeps" "Federal Bill Would Bring OS-Level Age Verification to the Entire U.S." "Why you should refuse to let your doctor record you" "AI’s New Training Data: Your Old Work Slacks And Emails" Utah’s New Law Targeting VPNs Goes Into Effect Next Week"

“In addition to all of the above, privacy is a right that as such also enables our enjoyment of other rights, and interference with our privacy often provides the gateway to the violation of the rest of our rights.” - Privacy International theprivacycloud.substack.com/p/why-does-p...

Portable apps have some cool privacy advantages you should look at. #privacy theprivacycloud.substack.com/p/how-portab...

If find value in The Privacy Cloud, here’s how you can support me: 📧 Subscribe to The Privacy Cloud🔐☁️ (theprivacycloud.substack.com) 🗣️ Share The Privacy Cloud 🔐☁️ with friends 🫙 Make a one-time donation or become a recurring donor! (monique-barrow.com/support-me/)

"Rep. Finke Was Right: Age-Gating Isn’t About Kids, It’s About Control" "US state laws push age checks into the operating system" "Your Body Is Betraying Your Right to Privacy" Check out the full list headlines I caught for March. #privacy #tech theprivacycloud.substack.com/p/march-2026...

Make sure you check out my Ko-fi shop. You'll find some digital guides that can help you protect your privacy, and all purchases support my work! ko-fi.com/moniquebarro...

The playbook's the same: Industry harms people → regulators don't touch industry → individuals get surveilled instead Kids exposed to addictive products? Scan everyone's face. Kids on social media? Scan everyone's face. Zero accountability for companies. Maximum surveillance for everyone else.

The Privacy Cloud's news roundup for March is available to read now. Some of the biggest headlines I caught include age verification, surveillance, and the end of Chat Control. #privacy #anonymity #technology #security theprivacycloud.substack.com/p/march-2026...

The Privacy Cloud is entirely run by me. I handle all the writing, editing, and research for the newsletters. If you find value in my work, please consider making a recurring donation or a one-time tip. Your donations allow me to continue creating newsletters! #ko-fi monique-barrow.com/support-me/

Smartphone security tip of the week: You use Tor or the Tor browser #smartphone #privacy #security

Reminder: Discord is still moving forward with global age verification; they just delayed it to the second half of 2026. If you don’t want to go through those measures, then I suggest you transition away from Discord and find an alternative. #privacy alternativeto.net/software/dis...

Tor Browser is an important browser that you should include in your privacy toolkit. #privacy #anonymity theprivacycloud.substack.com/p/why-you-sh...

Invest $5 in my Password Tips Checklist to learn how to create and store strong passwords for your accounts. The checklist will help you build better digital habits while supporting my work! #privacy #ko-fi ko-fi.com/s/55e1c40afb

“I need privacy, not because my actions are questionable, but your judgement and intentions are” - unknown theprivacycloud.substack.com/p/4-social-m...

The Privacy Cloud's monthly news roundup for February is available to read now. See the privacy headlines that I caught throughout the month. #privacy #security #technology theprivacycloud.substack.com/p/february-2...

Today marks Stardew Valley's 10-year anniversary! 🎂 #videogames monique-barrow.com/stardew-vall...

What happened to the Mario & Sonic Olympic series? #olympics monique-barrow.com/the-mario-an...

Looking for an alternative to Discord? Check out @alternativeto.net page and filter through the results to find what you are looking for. alternativeto.net/software/dis...

From now until February 18th, you can purchase my simple privacy checklist at a 50% discount! ko-fi.com/moniquebarro...

Try these gift ideas for Valentine's Day! #privacy #security #valentinesday theprivacycloud.substack.com/p/privacy-re...

Smartphone security tip of the week: Deactivate Bluetooth if you don't need it #smartphone #privacy #security

The first monthly news roundup for 2026 from The Privacy Cloud's is available to read now. Some of the biggest headlines I caught include surveillance, social media bans, and Big Tech. #privacy #security #technology theprivacycloud.substack.com/p/january-20...

If you enjoy what I do, please help me reach my goal on Ko-fi! ❤️ ko-fi.com/moniquebarro...

If you use BitLocker, there’s a good chance that you have saved the recovery keys to Microsoft’s servers. Learn how to take them off and save them in a more private place. #privacy #dataprivacy #windows #microsoft theprivacycloud.substack.com/p/how-to-pro...

"And as we see a continuation of privacy-invasive tech and the rise of AI, we need to critically assess the tech we use and demand transparency instead of being indifferent." #code #coding #blog monique-barrow.com/why-i-am-lea...

Say goodbye to Windows AI features! #privacy #AI #windows #security #tech theprivacycloud.substack.com/p/how-to-tur...

If you find value in my work, consider supporting The Privacy Cloud 🔐☁️! Here are some ways you can contribute:

You can remove Recall, Copilot, and other AI crap features on your Windows machine. Learn how by checking out my first newsletter of 2026. #privacy #AI #Windows theprivacycloud.substack.com/p/how-to-tur...

Smartphone security tip of the week: Deactivate positioning if you don't need it #smartphone #privacy #security

Making my privacy newsletter takes time, energy, and support. I’ve set a goal to help me keep creating, and I’d love for you to be part of it! ko-fi.com/moniquebarro...

Thank you @diegoarguello.bsky.social for the opportunity to contribute to 2025's Stories of the Year!

Final privacy news roundup for 2025. Some of the biggest privacy headlines I caught for December include sage verification, AI, and surveillance. Check it out. #privacy #security #dataprivacy #newsletter #happynewyear theprivacycloud.substack.com/p/december-2...

Just a little reminder! If you enjoy my privacy newsletter, consider supporting me if you can! ❤️ monique-barrow.com/support-me/

Encryption isn't hostile. It's a bedrock of our cybersecurity 🔐 The UK's national security laws join a long line of attempts to frame encrypted messaging as something to be broken into pieces. Without it, we're more open to threats from hackers and criminals. www.techradar.com/vpn/vpn-priv...

This holiday season, make a donation to a privacy organization ❄️. @torproject.org @eff.org @privacyinternational.org @noyb.eu @engagemedia.org @epic.org @fightforthefuture.org @openrightsgroup.org #privacy #donate theprivacycloud.substack.com/p/support-pr...

Age-verification mandates create barriers along lines of race, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, immigration status, and socioeconomic class. Here’s 10 (not so) hidden ways how. www.eff.org/deeplinks/2...

The Privacy Cloud's monthly news roundup is available to read now. Some of the biggest privacy headlines I caught for November include surveillance, age verification, and AI. #privacy #security #news #surveillance #AI theprivacycloud.substack.com/p/november-2...

Tis the season of giving! ❄️ Consider supporting me this holiday season by doing the following: 🫙 Leave a tip over on my #ko-fi page! (ko-fi.com/moniquebarrow) 💁🏾‍♀️ Become a recurring donor on Liberapay! (liberapay.com/moniquebarrow)

Learn to take back your privacy by purchasing a privacy checklist from my shop! For only $10, you get 18 simple privacy tips to help you get started. Not only will you develop better privacy and security habits, but your purchase will go towards my bills and expenses! ko-fi.com/moniquebarro...

As age verification laws proliferate around the world, people have predictably turned to VPNs to protect their privacy. Instead of taking this as a sign that surveillance isn't popular, lawmakers have decided they might as well ban VPNs altogether. www.eff.org/deeplinks/2...