Best of Privacy — February 2025

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    Article
    Avatar of hnHacker News·1y

    Obsidian is now free for work

    Obsidian's Commercial license is now optional, allowing free usage of the software for work. There's no account requirement, no ads, and no data tracking, with all data stored locally in plain text Markdown files. The change aims to simplify the license terms and align with Obsidian's principle of enabling clear thinking and effective organization. Large organizations like Amazon and Google already use Obsidian, and organizations can still support its development by purchasing licenses.

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    Article
    Avatar of hnHacker News·1y

    Everyone knows your location

    A recent investigation revealed a massive geolocation data leak from Gravy Analytics, involving over 2000 apps secretly collecting user location data. The author discovered their precise location data was sent through requests, even with location services disabled. They explored real-time bidding (RTB) and OpenRTB protocols, shocked by the amount of data shared. Unity Ads and Facebook were among those receiving data without adequate consent. Despite attempts, the author couldn't buy their data from brokers due to high costs. The investigation highlights major privacy concerns in the digital advertising ecosystem.

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    Article
    Avatar of allthingsopenAll Things Open·1y

    10 open source tools you can start using today

    Explore a variety of open source tools designed to improve security, productivity, and creativity. The post highlights powerful applications across categories like web browsers, password management, messaging, office tools, media repositories, video conferencing, educational resources, and podcasting. These resources provide robust features and customization options while promoting community and collaboration.

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    Article
    Avatar of communityCommunity Picks·1y

    All-in-One Analytics Dashboard - Cookie-less & GDPR-Compliant

    Litlyx provides a versatile and user-friendly analytics dashboard that ensures GDPR compliance without cookies. It offers features such as raw data export, chat-based data queries, and one-click reports. Praised for its simplicity in integration and cost-effectiveness, Litlyx suits solopreneurs and small businesses. The platform supports light mode, has a transparent roadmap, and can be self-hosted with Docker. It's available under a freemium model, allowing users to upgrade as needed.

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    Video
    Avatar of fireshipFireship·1y

    UK demands backdoor for encrypted Apple user data...

    The UK government has issued a technical capability notice to Apple, demanding a backdoor to access users' encrypted iCloud data. The notice, part of the Investigatory Powers Act 2016, aims to allow access to private data globally, which could impact all Apple users and other end-to-end encrypted services like Telegram and WhatsApp. Despite Apple's history of protecting user data, it's unclear how they will respond. Users are advised to use encryption, VPNs, and other privacy tools to safeguard their information.

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    Article
    Avatar of hnHacker News·1y

    umami-software/umami: Umami is a simple, fast, privacy-focused alternative to Google Analytics.

    Umami is a privacy-focused alternative to Google Analytics that is simple to set up and fast in performance. It requires Node.js and supports MariaDB, MySQL, and PostgreSQL databases. The guide includes installation steps using yarn and Docker. Default login credentials and server setup instructions are provided for easy deployment.

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    Article
    Avatar of selfhstselfh.st·1y

    This Week in Self-Hosted (21 February 2025)

    The newsletter introduces several design improvements to software listings, making them more user-friendly on different devices. Key events include Pi-hole v6 release, Obsidian's optional commercial license for professional use, and Navidrome's new anonymous data collection feature. The post also spotlights Eigenfocus, a new project management app, and offers a command-line tip.

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    Article
    Avatar of hnHacker News·1y

    ricochet-im/ricochet: Anonymous peer-to-peer instant messaging

    Ricochet is an anonymous peer-to-peer instant messaging system that doesn't trust anyone with your identity, contact list, or communications. It operates without exposing your IP address, metadata, or relying on central servers, using Tor Network hidden services. Ricochet is experimental, cross-platform, and open-source, available for Windows, OS X, and Linux.

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    Article
    Avatar of allthingsopenAll Things Open·1y

    Pixelfed: The open source alternative to Instagram

    Pixelfed is an open source, decentralized alternative to Instagram, offering privacy, control, and a community-focused platform without ads or data mining. It allows users to share pictures with a broader audience while maintaining control over their data. Pixelfed users can join different instances, connect with other Fediverse platforms, and import content from Instagram. It's a great platform for photographers, artists, and anyone seeking a more ethical social media experience.

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