Private by DesignHi there,
Hope your month’s off to a good start. I’ve been thinking lately about how trust can get chipped away—not just by scams or breaches, but by the small things too. Confusing messages or clunky designs in places we should feel safe can quietly wear down our confidence.
On a more practical note, this issue includes a small privacy habit with big payoff, and two news stories that may impact the tools you use every day.
🔒 Privacy Tip of the Month
Review your phone’s app permissions
Some apps end up with more access than they really need—like your location, camera, or contacts. Take 5 minutes to open your phone’s settings and check what each app can see. Most phones let you limit access to “only while using” or “ask every time.” Start with apps you don’t use often or don’t fully trust. It’s a simple way to boost your privacy without installing anything new.
🗞️ In the News
Apple fined €150 M (~US $162 M) by France over App Tracking Transparency
France’s competition authority ruled that Apple’s two‑prompt tracking consent system creates an uneven playing field for app developers and breaches GDPR. This fine underscores growing scrutiny on how consent UIs affect competition. Read more
NZ Privacy Commissioner flags generative AI privacy risks
The Office of the Privacy Commissioner has warned that sensitive personal or confidential data entered into generative AI tools—like prompts fed into ChatGPT—may be stored and used by providers, potentially exposing information in future model outputs. Organisations are being urged to implement strong governance and respond swiftly to any leaks. Read more
📝 From the Blog
Is it a scam—or just bad design?
What happens when official health messages feel like phishing? This case study unpacks how even good intentions can backfire when digital design undermines trust. A must-read if you’ve ever hesitated before clicking a legit link.
🎁 Free Resource
Get the 7-Day Privacy Bootcamp (Free)
Want to clean up your digital footprint without spending hours? This free email course delivers one small, practical tip per day—like how to stop tracking, secure your logins, and clean up your online trail.
👉 Join here
Warmly,
Craig
Private by Design
Practical tools, not paranoia.