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.
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