The New Oil

Privacy & security for everyone. 🌉 bridged from ⁂ https://ghost.thenewoil.org/, follow @ap.brid.gy to interact

2 followers0 following21 stories

Longform Stories

The Harm Reduction Model of Privacy

What can we learn by applying a proven, successful public health philosophy to the privacy journey?

5d ago·1 min read·169 words

Can This New Cloud Storage Dethrone Google?

Tuta's new drive storage - announced in 2023 - has hit closed beta, so in this video I explore everything you need to know: what's it like? Where is it good and where does it fall short? Who should us…

May 27·2 min read·279 words

Best Private Email Provider in 2026

Your inbox is worth protecting. Here's the best tools to do that.

May 17·9 min read·1784 words

Password Length vs Complexity & What It Really Means

Privacy advocates are jumping aboard NIST's new recommendations, but should they?

May 3·11 min read·2060 words

The Case Against Samsung

I'm a proud Samsung hater, but in this piece I consolidate my receipts.

Apr 26·14 min read·2794 words

Book Review: "Privacy's Defender" by Cindy Cohn

The EFF Executive Director's memoir offers insight into how the modern internet came to be.

Apr 11·8 min read·1600 words

One Size Does Not Fit All: Why Privacy Is Not a Checklist

My privacy tools are not yours, and that's okay.

Apr 6·13 min read·2539 words

7 Surefire Ways to Stop Identity Theft

Tax season is upon us, and so are fears of identity theft. Here's how to eliminate the risks without breaking the bank.

Mar 29·13 min read·2512 words

The Best Browser for Privacy in 2026

Chrome remains the most common browser, but also the worst if you care at all about your privacy.

Mar 7·9 min read·1651 words

The Question of Trust

There's a line between caution and paranoia. This week we explore how to decide when something is trustworthy.

Feb 28·10 min read·1814 words

On Parenting & Age Verification

Lately, a disturbing number of countries have decided that so-called "age verification" is the best way to protect children from the dangers of the internet, specifically by forcing all minors under a…

Feb 23·1 min read·87 words

How To Reach Your Goals in 2026

Whether your goals are privacy-related or not, there's a formula to setting yourself up for success. This is it.

Feb 18·1 min read·161 words

Critical Thinking 101

With so many serious and competing claims in the privacy space (and world in general) today, it's vital to know how to evaluate them.

Feb 16·11 min read·2105 words

Safe Online Dating

Valuing your privacy shouldn't doom you to a life of loneliness. Here's how I would approach dating while balancing privacy in 2026.

Feb 8·12 min read·2305 words

When Sharing Isn't Caring: A Guide to Tracking Links

Next time you want to share a link with someone, pay attention to what gets pasted in the message.

Feb 1·7 min read·1234 words

5 Reasons You Need an Ad-Blocker

Ad blockers are a must-have for modern internet usage. Here's 5 reasons why.

Jan 24·13 min read·2520 words

2025 Transparency Report

If you financially supported The New Oil in 2025, here's where your money went and how we want to use it to spread the message of privacy in 2026.

Jan 3·15 min read·2893 words

Book Review: "Careless People" by Sarah Wynn-Williams

Meta's former Director of Public Policy paints a picture of cartoonish narcissism, predation, toxicity, and harm.

Dec 27·8 min read·1584 words

Should You Wipe Your Phone When Getting Arrested?

A news article this week forces us to confront the fantasy vs the consequences.

Dec 20·9 min read·1766 words

Privacy is a Marathon

Many people burn out on privacy because they don't approach it with the right mindset.

Dec 8·5 min read·964 words

How to Shop Online Privately Without Causing a Scene

A recent video discussed an awkward conversation caused by using privacy tools. Here I discuss how I avoid making privacy awkward.

Dec 7·7 min read·1319 words