Everything You Do in a Day That Leaks Data (And How To Fix It)

About this video

• Video Title: Everything You Do in a Day That Leaks Data (And How To Fix It)
• Channel: Proton
• Speakers: Tony Angelo, Army
• Duration: 17:00

Overview

This video, hosted by a professional hacker and privacy advocate, follows YouTuber Tony Angelo throughout his day to expose how everyday actions can lead to private information leakage. It highlights various data privacy risks, from smartphone sensor data and email tracking to flight bookings, smart car usage, online marketplace interactions, and AI data collection, offering practical tips on how to mitigate these risks.

Key takeaways

• Smartphone Sensors: Apps can access motion sensors (accelerometer, gyroscope, proximity) to detect your activity, routines, and even state of mind, providing a trail of personal data.
• Email Tracking Pixels: Even opening an email can trigger invisible tracking pixels that confirm receipt, time, device, and location, creating a data profile without any clicks.
• Flight Booking Data: Searching for flights, even without booking, generates data sold to airlines, advertisers, and governments, which can be combined with other information to build detailed behavioral profiles with potential real-world consequences.
• "Cyber Smiths": Dedicated individuals can piece together location data from seemingly insignificant details in photos and videos to track individuals.
• Smart Car Data: Smart cars continuously record driving behavior, which can be sold to data brokers and used by entities like insurance companies to adjust premiums.
• Online Marketplaces & "Whales": Using platforms like Facebook Marketplace can expose personal information. High-spending users ("whales") are particularly targeted by advertisers and hackers due to their value.
• AI and Children's Data: AI can scan and label images, potentially creating "shadow profiles" of children based on their parents' posts, even if the children are not active online.
• End-of-Day Data Collection: Even when you're asleep, apps continue to collect data on your activities, location, and purchases, learning to predict your behavior.
• Sleep Data: Using your phone in bed can leak health signals (e.g., poor sleep patterns), which can be used by insurance companies to increase rates.
• Price Escalation: Hesitation in booking flights or other purchases online can lead to price increases as algorithms interpret this as urgency.