Step-by-Step Privacy Hardening:
Apple is better than Microsoft and Google when it comes to privacy—but they still collect way too much of your data. If you want the strongest digital privacy, Linux is the gold standard. But if you're not ready to make the switch just yet, you can still dramatically improve your Mac’s privacy.

In this video, we walk you through privacy expert Michael Bazzell’s recommended macOS setup—from purchasing a device (without linking it to your identity), to reformatting, disabling invasive features, and installing the right tools.

00:00 Apple promises only THEY will abuse your data
02:20 Purchasing Your Mac
03:14 Choose a Model
03:41 Used Devices: Update, Reformat, Install OS
08:28 Initial Setup
11:32 WiFi and Bluetooth
11:50 OS Firewall
13:14 Notifications
14:16 Airdrop, Siri, and Sharing
15:33 Gatekeeper
18:26 Analytics and Ads
19:01 Time
20:15 Filevault
22:02 Dock, Wallpaper and Finder
25:35 Application Firewall / 3rd Party Apps
28:09 Conclusion

Apple does build decent privacy tools—but they definitely don’t make it easy to opt out of their own surveillance. With the right tools and configurations, though, you can take back control of your digital environment. Whether you're doing sensitive work or simply believe in the right to privacy, these steps put you in charge.

Special Thanks to Michael Bazzell for leading the way in tech privacy and research! You can purchase his book here:
https://inteltechniques.com/book7.html

Brought to you by NBTV team members: Lee Rennie, Cube Boy, Derek Porter, Will Sandoval, and Naomi Brockwell

NBTV is a project of the Ludlow Institute, a 501c3 non profit whose mission is to advance freedom through technology.
To support NBTV, visit:
https://LudlowInstitute.org/donate
(As a 501(c)(3) non profit, all donations are tax-deductible in the USA as permitted by law.)

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Our eBook "Beginner's Introduction To Privacy:
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Beware of scammers, I will never give you a phone number or reach out to you with investment advice. I do not give investment advice.

Watch this video on YouTube (but why would you want to?!)
https://youtu.be/1g0RzOGxe40

You installed them to make life easier. But some browser extensions are doing a lot more than blocking ads or autofilling passwords.

They’re reading every keystroke. Tracking every site. Harvesting your data—and in some cases, handing it over to foreign governments or draining your crypto wallets.

In this video, we expose the chilling truth about browser extensions.
You'll see real-world cases of extensions that were hacked, sold, or designed from the start to exploit users.
And we’ll break down why just checking permissions isn’t enough—because malicious extensions often ask for the same permissions as the good ones. It’s not about what they ask for. It’s how they use it.

00:00 Extensions can do WHAT
00:52 Overview
01:34 The Problem with Browser Extensions
09:18 How Do We Protect Ourselves
10:52 Understand Permissions
16:03 Grant Fewer Permissions
16:18 Use Extensions Sparingly
17:10 Use a Private Browser
18:06 Least Privilege
18:28 Use Code Review Tools
19:07 In Summary

Extensions are more than just “add-ons.” They have access to everything you do online.
Before you install another one, watch this video.

Special thanks to John Tuckner, Matt Frisbee, and Pete Snyder for sharing their expert first-hand knowledge with us!

Brought to you by Lee Rennie, Cube Boy, Will Sandoval, Jack Rhysider, and Naomi Brockwell.

NBTV is a project of the Ludlow Institute, a 501c3 non profit whose mission is to advance freedom through technology.
To support NBTV, visit:
https://LudlowInstitute.org/donate
(As a 501(c)(3) non profit, all donations are tax-deductible in the USA as permitted by law.)

Visit our shop!
https://Shop.NBTV.media

Our eBook "Beginner's Introduction To Privacy:
https://amzn.to/3WDSfku

Beware of scammers, I will never give you a phone number or reach out to you with investment advice. I do not give investment advice.

Watch this video on YouTube (But why would you want to?!)
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Every time we upgrade our devices, we face a choice: migrate everything from the old one or start fresh. While transferring data may seem convenient, it also means hauling along unnecessary ‘digital exhaust’—outdated apps, clutter, and potential privacy risks. In this video, I’ll show you why starting from scratch is smarter for both your security and sanity and share some essential tips for setting up a new device. My goal is to help you enjoy a less cluttered, more private, and more intentional digital life.

00:00 Resist Temptation
00:41 App Bloat
01:50 Attack Surface
02:51 Switch Accounts
03:49 ID Tracking
04:17 Ghost Data
05:27 Habit Traps
06:17 Reclaiming Mental Bandwidth
07:14 7 Tips
10:02 My Thoughts on Restoring From Backup

When people ask me questions like, how to restore from a backup, my answer is usually: don’t. Yes, there are costs to starting fresh; but there are also costs from restoring from a backup. By investing a bit of extra effort up front, you’ll enjoy a cleaner, more private, and ultimately more efficient digital environment—one you truly control.

Brought to you by NBTV team members: Lee Rennie, Cube Boy, Will Sandoval and Naomi Brockwell

NBTV is a project of the Ludlow Institute, a 501c3 non profit whose mission is to advance freedom through technology.
To support NBTV, visit:
https://LudlowInstitute.org/donate
(As a 501(c)(3) non profit, all donations are tax-deductible in the USA as permitted by law.)

Visit our shop!
https://Shop.NBTV.media

Our eBook "Beginner's Introduction To Privacy:
https://amzn.to/3WDSfku

Beware of scammers, I will never give you a phone number or reach out to you with investment advice. I do not give investment advice.

Watch this video on YouTube (But why would you want to?!)
https://youtu.be/tzTtF3vOiq0

Your phone is a tracking device. But it doesn’t have to be.

One of the best ways to reclaim your privacy is to ditch iOS and stock Android and install GrapheneOS instead.

This guide is a step-by-step tutorial on converting a Pixel phone to GrapheneOS, tweaking key settings for maximum privacy, and installing apps—including how to handle Google Play Services after setup.

If you want to eliminate as much of Google as possible from your device but still need certain apps that require Google Play Services, we’ll show you how to use it in a more privacy-preserving way.

I’ll walk you through how I set up my GrapheneOS device so you can see what’s possible. But this is just one way to do it—if you have your own setup, share your tips in the comments!

00:00 Spyware is all over our smartphones
01:47 Hardware
03:03 Purchase
05:13 Installation
10:24 Setup
13:33 App Stores
19:32 Secondary Profiles
23:46 Your Phone, Your Rules

As difficult as it may seem, it’s actually not that difficult to enjoy all the benefits of a smartphone without compromising your privacy. Remember, privacy isn’t about going off grid; it’s about making informed choices; and with GrapheneOS, you’re taking control of your device, your data, and your digital freedom.

Our full phone privacy series:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLt3zZ-N423gXV-0pdxnRn-nw0WzVKh4NY&si=VZbMAB50C2-NAOAM

NBTV is a project of the Ludlow Institute, a 501c3 non profit whose mission is to advance freedom through technology.
To support NBTV, visit:
https://LudlowInstitute.org/donate
(As a 501(c)(3) non profit, all donations are tax-deductible in the USA as permitted by law.)

Brought to you by NBTV team members: Reuben Yap, Lee Rennie, Cube Boy, Will Sandoval and Naomi Brockwell

Visit our shop!
https://Shop.NBTV.media

Our eBook "Beginner's Introduction To Privacy:
https://amzn.to/3WDSfku

Beware of scammers, I will never give you a phone number or reach out to you with investment advice. I do not give investment advice.

Watch this video on YouTube (but why would you want to?!)
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In an unprecedented attack on global privacy, the UK government secretly ordered Apple to create a backdoor into its Advanced Data Protection (ADP)—the encryption tool designed to protect your most sensitive iCloud data. Instead of quietly complying, Apple publicly disabled ADP entirely for UK users. By doing this, Apple alerted the world to the secret order—but it also left UK users vulnerable. Their backups, photos, notes, and more are now accessible to the government.

In this video, you'll learn exactly what Apple data is no longer private, and discover privacy-focused alternatives for your files, photos, emails, notes, and more. The UK government is fishing for your personal information—now’s the time to ramp up your protections and take control of your digital life.

00:00 An Unprecedented Attack
03:24 What Kind of Data is Affected
03:57 Safari Bookmarks Alternatives
04:34 iCloud Drive Alternatives
05:38 Notes Alternatives
06:06 Reminder Alternatives
06:35 Voice Memo Alternatives
07:08 Email Alternatives
07:37 Contacts Alternatives
08:10 Calendar Alternatives
08:38 Important Note About ADP
09:55 The Privacy Battle Ahead

Apple’s removal of Advanced Data Protection in response to the UK's demands is unprecedented among major democracies. If privacy matters to you, it’s time to move your sensitive data away from iCloud—and potentially other major providers targeted by similar government demands—to privacy-first alternatives. Protect your information before it's too late.

NBTV is a project of the Ludlow Institute, a 501c3 non profit whose mission is to advance freedom through technology.
To support NBTV, visit:
https://LudlowInstitute.org/donate
(As a 501(c)(3) non profit, all donations are tax-deductible in the USA as permitted by law.)

Visit our shop!
https://Shop.NBTV.media

Our eBook "Beginner's Introduction To Privacy:
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Beware of scammers, I will never give you a phone number or reach out to you with investment advice. I do not give investment advice.

Watch this video on YouTube (but why would you want to?!)
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Did you know you can use Signal without sharing your phone number with other users? Signal introduced usernames last year, but many people still don’t realize how they work—some mistake them for their profile name, and figuring out how to share or search for usernames can be confusing. Here’s what you need to know: how usernames work, how to set yours up, how to find others, and the privacy benefits (and limitations) of this new feature.

00:00 Signal’s Game-Changing Privacy Upgrade
00:51 What Are Signal Usernames? (and Why You Should Use One)
01:34 Step-by-Step: Setting Up Your Signal Username
02:14 How to Find People on Signal Without a Phone Number
03:13 The Pros & Cons of Signal’s Username System
05:14 Should You Let Signal Access Your Contacts?
05:44 How Signal Protects Your Contact List (Explained)
06:35 How to Change Your Signal Username Anytime
07:42 Hide Your Phone Number on Signal – Here’s How
08:27 Final Thoughts – Why This Feature Matters

Signal’s username feature is a big step forward for privacy, helping us move away from phone numbers and take control over the information we share. If you haven’t set up your username yet, now’s the perfect time. And the best part? You can change it anytime, as often as you like.

Brought to you by NBTV team members: Reuben Yap, Lee Rennie, Cube Boy, Sam Ettaro, Will Sandoval, and Naomi Brockwell

NBTV is a project of the Ludlow Institute, a 501c3 non profit whose mission is to advance freedom through technology.
To support NBTV, visit:
https://LudlowInstitute.org/donate
(As a 501(c)(3) non profit, all donations are tax-deductible in the USA as permitted by law.)

Visit our shop!
https://Shop.NBTV.media

Our eBook "Beginner's Introduction To Privacy:
https://amzn.to/3WDSfku

Beware of scammers, I will never give you a phone number or reach out to you with investment advice. I do not give investment advice.

Watch this video on YouTube (but why would you want to?!)
https://youtu.be/NXuRlvJI2N8

Security researcher Sam Curry reveals shocking flaws in internet-connected vehicles, exposing how they can be hacked and why your car may not be as private as you think.

00:00 Car Hacking Doesn’t Seem Real
01:13 How Sam Got Into Car Hacking
04:55 Why Connected Cars Are Not Secure
12:11 Types of Attacks Researched
14:36 The Subaru Experiment
16:53 Kia Connect Research
18:11 Tesla Bug Bounty Program
23:01 VPN Security
23:37 Little Regard for Security of Consumers
26:23 Jasper
32:52 Tether Hacking
34:10 The Problem with ISP Backdoors
38:35 Self-Driving Cars
39:43 Hacking Driver Accounts
43:20 What People Can Do
44:34 We Take Our Privacy For Granted Until It Is Summoned
47:45 Where We Are Now and Where We Are Going

Cars aren’t just vehicles anymore—they’re data goldmines, storing your messages, photos, and location history. We need to rethink how much personal info we’re handing over and who has access to it.

Special Thanks to Sam Curry! Check out his blog for his complete research report: https://samcurry.net/hacking-subaru

Brought to you by NBTV team members: Lee Rennie, Cube Boy, Sam Ettaro, Will Sandoval and Naomi Brockwell

NBTV is a project of the Ludlow Institute, a 501c3 non profit whose mission is to advance freedom through technology.
To support NBTV, visit:
https://LudlowInstitute.org/donate
(As a 501(c)(3) non profit, all donations are tax-deductible in the USA as permitted by law.)

Visit our shop!
https://Shop.NBTV.media

Our eBook "Beginner's Introduction To Privacy:
https://amzn.to/3WDSfku

Beware of scammers, I will never give you a phone number or reach out to you with investment advice. I do not give investment advice.

Watch this video on YouTube (but why would you want to?!)
https://youtu.be/rKnoP30Q6Ig

In today’s hyper-connected world, our personal information is being collected, shared, and sold—often without our knowledge or consent. But here’s the good news: you can fight back. More people than ever are waking up to the importance of digital privacy and taking action to protect themselves.

The big challenge? Many people don’t know where to begin. That’s where this video comes in.

This Privacy 101 guide is designed for anyone just starting their privacy journey. I’ll show you six of the easiest, most impactful steps you can take right now to safeguard your digital life—starting with the basics and building your confidence along the way.

We’ll cover:
🖥️ Privacy-focused browsers
🔎 Alternative search engines
📱 Secure messaging apps
📧 Private email options
📅 Better calendar tools
🌐 VPNs for secure browsing

Timestamps:
00:00 Privacy isn’t about hiding
02:01 Browser
05:21 Search Engine
07:43 Messaging Apps
09:57 Email
11:12 Calendar
12:00 VPN
12:55 Your Right to Choose

Reclaiming your privacy isn’t just about protecting yourself—it’s about reclaiming your right to choose who gets to see your information and how it’s used. You don’t have to give away your data to thousands of companies or governments anymore.

This video is packed with actionable advice and powerful tools to help you get started today. Take back control of your digital life—your privacy is worth it.

Brought to you by NBTV team members: Lee Rennie, Cube Boy, Will Sandoval and Naomi Brockwell

NBTV is a project of the Ludlow Institute, a 501c3 non profit whose mission is to advance freedom through technology.

To support NBTV, visit:
https://LudlowInstitute.org/donate
(As a 501(c)(3) non profit, all donations are tax-deductible in the USA as permitted by law.)

Visit our shop!
https://Shop.NBTV.media

Our eBook "Beginner's Introduction To Privacy:
https://amzn.to/3WDSfku

Beware of scammers, I will never give you a phone number or reach out to you with investment advice. I do not give investment advice.

Watch this video on YouTube (but why would you want to?!)
https://youtu.be/UgXjxQsyk4w

On Dec 31st, 2024 I was invited on to Al Jazeera to discuss internet censorship, the new Australian ban on children under 16 from accessing social media, and whether banning TikTok will help prevent the spreading of misinformation.

NBTV is a project of the Ludlow Institute, a 501c3 non profit whose mission is to advance freedom through technology.
To support NBTV, visit:
https://LudlowInstitute.org/donate
(As a 501(c)(3) non profit, all donations are tax-deductible in the USA as permitted by law.)

Visit our shop!
https://Shop.NBTV.media

Our eBook "Beginner's Introduction To Privacy:
https://amzn.to/3WDSfku

Beware of scammers, I will never give you a phone number or reach out to you with investment advice. I do not give investment advice.

Watch this video on YouTube (but why would you want to?!)
https://youtu.be/E9iPKu1v7os

It’s easy to feel pessimistic, even hopeless, about the future of privacy in a world so deeply intertwined with technology. This is because we’ve been tricked into thinking that powerful technology can only be wielded by powerful entities who want to spy on us.

But I’m very much a techno-optimist. In this video I’ll explain why I believe that we have all the tools at our disposal to write a better future. I’ll also go over some groundbreaking innovations currently in development coming to our near future.

In this new digital world of mass surveillance, we’re far from powerless – we have every reason to feel energized and excited. For the first time, we have both the technology and the cultural momentum to take back our privacy. But we’ll only win it if we stop demonizing technology, and understand that it’s only by harnessing the powerful privacy tech at our disposal, building more of it, and incorporating it into our daily lives can we actually break free from our surveillance shackles.

00:00 I’m a technophile. You wouldn’t think so, though
01:30 Why I am a Techno-Optimist
03:13 Current Privacy Tools
09:19 The Future of Privacy
15:14 The Rise of Privacy Culture
16:26 A White Pilled Future
17:09 Technology Can be a Tool for Liberation

Brought to you by NBTV team members: Lee Rennie, Cube Boy, Will Sandoval and Naomi Brockwell

NBTV is a project of the Ludlow Institute, a 501c3 non profit whose mission is to advance freedom through technology.
To support NBTV, visit:
https://LudlowInstitute.org/donate
(As a 501(c)(3) non profit, all donations are tax-deductible in the USA as permitted by law.)

Visit our shop!
https://Shop.NBTV.media

Our eBook "Beginner's Introduction To Privacy:
https://amzn.to/3WDSfku

Beware of scammers, I will never give you a phone number or reach out to you with investment advice. I do not give investment advice.

Watch this video on YouTube (but why would you want to?!)
https://youtu.be/MtHKGaDA30g