Why I Started Private by Design

Because the internet got weird, and people need help.

For years, I’ve worked in software development — mostly backend systems, architecture, and enterprise-level problem solving. I’ve always enjoyed understanding how things fit together, how data flows, and how systems are structured.

But outside of work, I started noticing something else:
Most people — smart, capable, everyday people — were feeling increasingly lost when it came to their digital lives.

They knew something wasn’t right.
They’d get creeped out by targeted ads.
They’d hesitate before posting photos of their kids.
They’d install apps and click “Allow” without really knowing what they were agreeing to.

And they didn’t need more fear. They needed help.

That’s how Private by Design began. Not as a company, not as a product — but as a small, practical response. A way to share what I’ve learned over time with people who don’t want to go off-grid… but also don’t want to hand over their entire digital life without thinking about it.

I’m not here to scare anyone into deleting everything.
And I’m definitely not here to make anyone feel guilty for how they use technology.
I’m here because I believe privacy is a skill — something you can learn, build, and improve over time.

I’m a husband and a dad. I live on a lifestyle block in North Canterbury, New Zealand. I’ve worked in the tech industry for 20+ years, but the most meaningful conversations I’ve had lately haven’t been in boardrooms or stand-ups — they’ve been at the school gate, in kitchen chats, or over coffee with friends wondering if TikTok really is spying on them.

Private by Design is for them.
And maybe it’s for you too.

If you’re curious, cautious, or just quietly uncomfortable with how much the internet seems to know — welcome. You’re not alone, and you’re not behind.

Let’s figure it out, one step at a time.