Best of Privacy — September 2025

  1. 1
    Article
    Avatar of devtoDEV·37w

    Dawn

    Dawn is a censorship-resistant media platform built on the Midnight Network that enables anonymous publishing with verifiable authenticity. Users can publish immutable reports organized into thematic bulletins while proving their eligibility through zero-knowledge attestations without revealing their identity. The platform features complete Lace Wallet integration, custom attestation services, and smart contracts that verify proofs on-chain, making it impossible for reports to be deleted or altered once published.

  2. 2
    Article
    Avatar of hnHacker News·34w

    Handy

    Handy is a free, open-source speech-to-text application that runs locally on your computer. It allows users to press a keyboard shortcut, speak, and have their words automatically transcribed and pasted into any text field. The app prioritizes privacy by keeping all voice processing on-device without sending audio to the cloud, and offers simple configuration options including push-to-talk mode and customizable key bindings.

  3. 3
    Article
    Avatar of hnHacker News·36w

    We traded blogs for black boxes, now we're paying for it

    Algorithmic feeds and centralized platforms have destroyed the human-driven discovery that made the early internet special. Context collapse occurs when algorithms mix unrelated audiences, leading to negative discourse and the spread of harmful content like incel terminology. The solution involves using RSS readers, federated social media, open source software, and curating your own information sources instead of relying on black-box algorithms controlled by tech companies.

  4. 4
    Article
    Avatar of mozillaMozilla·36w

    Young people are outsmarting period tracking apps

    Young women are adapting their use of period tracking apps in response to privacy concerns following the overturning of Roe v. Wade. While many users deleted apps due to fears of reproductive surveillance and data misuse, others switched to privacy-focused alternatives or developed workarounds like using notes apps or paper diaries. The article explores how cycle tracking apps collect and monetize sensitive health data, the varying privacy standards across different apps, and how marginalized communities are particularly vulnerable to surveillance. Despite privacy risks, many users continue finding these apps valuable for understanding their bodies and managing health conditions.

  5. 5
    Article
    Avatar of collectionsCollections·36w

    Using OSINT to Gather Information from WhatsApp Accounts

    A comprehensive guide demonstrating Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) techniques for gathering personal information from WhatsApp phone numbers. The process covers IP address capture using Wireshark, location tracking, cross-referencing public records, discovering linked accounts and passwords, and conducting reverse image searches. Emphasizes the importance of ethical considerations and legal compliance when using these powerful investigation techniques.

  6. 6
    Article
    Avatar of hnHacker News·35w

    Helium Browser

    Helium is a privacy-focused web browser based on Chromium that blocks ads, trackers, and fingerprinting by default. It features native !bangs for quick navigation, split view functionality, and supports all Chromium extensions while anonymizing requests to the Chrome Web Store. The browser is fully open source, lightweight, and designed with a minimalistic interface that prioritizes user privacy without requiring configuration.

  7. 7
    Article
    Avatar of hnHacker News·34w

    Why I gave the world wide web away for free

    Tim Berners-Lee reflects on creating the World Wide Web and releasing it for free in 1993 to ensure universal access. He critiques how large platforms now harvest user data and calls for returning data ownership to individuals through technologies like Solid. Berners-Lee warns against repeating the same mistakes with AI governance and advocates for international collaboration similar to CERN to ensure AI serves individuals rather than monopolies.

  8. 8
    Article
    Avatar of devtoDEV·37w

    FestFund: Private Contributions & Public Recognition - A Zero-Knowledge Fundraising Solution

    FestFund is a fundraising platform that uses zero-knowledge proofs to enable private donations while maintaining public transparency. Built on Midnight Network, it allows donors to contribute anonymously while still providing verifiable leaderboards and milestone tracking. The platform reduces ZK proof generation time from 418ms to 1ms and includes features like cryptographic commitments, nullifier protection, and transparent accountability without exposing individual donation amounts.

See all Privacy archives