MUST READ Beginner's guide to Privacy http://defi0xjeff.substack.com/p/beginners-guide-to-privacy

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I'm assuming no one on Farcaster uses Edge but just in case you do, switch to Brave or hardened Firefox. Ditto if you are still using Chrome or Safari.

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Microsoft is switching off add-blocker uBlock Origin in Edge. Starting this month, Edge begins disabling Manifest V2 extensions by default, with consumer rollout to be completed by the end of 2026, enterprise devices in early 2027. uBlock Origin has 13M+ Edge installs and no MV3 version, because MV3 removes the blocking webRequest API it depends on. Chrome already killed Manifest V2 for good in July 2025 and clears the last MV2 extensions off its store on 31 August. Edge held out until now. https://blogs.windows.com/msedgedev/2026/08/07/moving-the-microsoft-edge-extensions-ecosystem-forward-with-manifest-version-3/

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Finally moved to a free and open source software FOSS code editor

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Illinois just told every operating system to start reporting your kid's age https://itsfoss.com/news/illinois-age-verification-bill/

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A company called TLO (owned by TransUnion) is worse than Flock TLO is a data-aggregation tool, it compiles things like your address history, relatives, coworkers, friends, vehicle records, and other public/proprietary data into a searchable profile. What makes it worse than flock? Well, TLO will work with businesses or independent contractors to install their cameras around their premises and on company vehicles. Even if a business is not directly utilizing a camera from TLO (or one its partners like Motorola's DRN), TLO often purchases local surveillance footage to run through their recognition software. This means your parked car can end up in a searchable database used well beyond its original repo and insurance purposes. With no camera warrant or public oversight involved.

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Signal won't require a phone number in 2026 https://aboutsignal.com/news/signal-is-working-on-registration-without-a-phone-number/ Signal is developing an option to sign up without linking a phone number. Clues have appeared in recent server code updates, which are preparing for account management without this linked data including security and regional handling aspects. For now, indications suggest this will be a voluntary alternative limited to new accounts: users would not be able to add a number later or remove one from an account that already has it. The biggest challenge, according to the app's own CTO, is preventing abuse and spam. Phone numbers currently act as a natural filter, and the team is looking for a way to replace this with another barrier (potentially involving a small fee or a similar mechanism) to maintain the service's security.

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BMW has started pushing ads into dashboard screens Feels dystopian, you gotta watch ads even in your own car now https://nypost.com/2026/08/04/tech/bmw-owners-outraged-by-spider-man-ads-on-their-dashboard-screens/

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Excited to announce In the Open 🌱 A new #privacy initiative for open technology, and digital autonomy. I'll keep track on most important developments, wins, events. And build and research open-source tools to help you take back control. https://newsletter.intheopen.cc/p/welcome-to-in-the-open

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My latest X thread on the dangers of Flock Camera mission creep, too long to post here so I'm just linking it. Would appreciate any engagement. https://x.com/i/status/2085177719478956078

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Discovered rustdesk as an open source and self hosted option to help out family members on their computers and phones Bookmarked to research in the future. Could also work well with private AI agents to provide support once they're trusted and reliable enough.

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streaming in ~10min: https://x.com/ambire/status/2084194333776130329

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Move to Signal

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/india WhatsApp has started asking some users to add their date of birth in India.

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New York Will Require Digital ID Checks for Social Feeds https://reclaimthenet.org/new-york-will-require-digital-id-checks-for-social-feeds The law is written for under-18s but, as always has to be the case, the age-checking reaches everyone. To keep an algorithmic feed or overnight notifications, a user above 17 has to prove to the platform that they are an adult. Confirming who counts as an adult means collecting government IDs, face scans, phone numbers and email addresses from people who until now typed a birth date and moved on. James rejected the privacy objection to all this. The rules are "not a question of privacy," she said.

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