Online privacy was dealt a significant blow at the end of March 2018; when the Clarifying Lawful Overseas Use of Data (CLOUD Act) was added in the near the end of a 2,232-page budget bill.
The CLOUD Act was never favoured by the US Congress or even reviewed. Instead, it was slid into page 2,201 of a $1.3 trillion spending bill, which was elected on as a single entity.
Cloud Act Violates Privacy
However, the consequences of the CLOUD Act alters the way that government administrators can save your data. It supplies the US and foreign governments the chance to request data without any notice.
Worry not, all hope is not lost; at BestVPNAnalysis, we have come up with a listing of things which are done to help enhance your privacy and be anonymous on the web.
What is the CLOUD Act?
So what specifically is this privacy crippling legislation that Congress felt the need to slip into an unrelated bill to get it passed?
It all began some years ago, with a trial involving a criminal investigation against an Irish resident. The US administration had a license and subpoenaed Microsoft for data that was collected on their Irish servers. Microsoft declined to give over the information, challenging the servers weren’t based in the United States, and hence they were under no commitment to respect the license. The case has been pulling on for four years.
Fast forward to the present, under the current CLOUD Act, the US government no longer requires a warrant, and Microsoft must adhere to the request and hand over the information. Microsoft is already on a record of saying that there is no need to proceed this case, and they will give over the data to the authorities.
What Can You Do?
We don’t want to give up on our right to privacy, and we assume you aren’t either. We collected a list of pointers that can help preserve your data from various governments. This list includes alternatives to favourite websites and services; that we suggest you start using to help keep your activity anonymous.
Always use a VPN
The very step to shielding your privacy is to buy a quality VPN and be sure that it’s on when you are browsing.
Using a VPN is an important piece of the puzzle; when it comes to protecting your online privacy because it masks your IP address, which makes you virtually invisible on the web. It will also use distinct security protocols to encrypt your internet data; making it nearly impossible for the government to read the information they might collect.(also see, Most Secure VPN Services in 2018)
#DeleteFacebook
Facebook credibility has suffered a huge hit over the past couple of months; as more and more aspects of the Cambridge, Analytica scandal start coming out. It was later reported that over 87 million Facebook users had their personal data improperly shared.(also see, The Facebook- Cambridge Analytica Scandal)
Facebook data is a real gold mine for law enforcing officials; who want smut on a potential suspect. Someone’s likes, friends, groups, chats, and posts can be employed as evidence; and it looks logical that prosecutors would turn to demand data this type of data. With the passing of the CLOUD Act; taking that information will be fast and easy. The only workaround is to quit using the social media giant and delete the Facebook account as soon as possible.
Get rid of Dropbox
DropBox may be the influential and a big name in the file-sharing market, but it is far from the security.
If you love your privacy, then make an account at SpiderOak; which none other than Edward Snowden authorized. Despite being located in the US; SpiderOak users have no basis to worry that the government officials will be reading their data anytime soon.
Avoid Cloud Storage
One must not misunderstand the cloud with the CLOUD Act. The Cloud Storage has several great features. It makes it simple to access your data anywhere and on multiple devices. The disadvantage is that your documents; photos, or personal data, can be located on many servers.
With the latest CLOUD Act; any law enforcement can conceivably get that information without needing a warrant.
If you want to use the cloud; find a service like Tresorit that encompasses end-to-end encryption and is from outside the US and in a country that doesn’t come among the Five Eyes alliance. If you prefer to avoid the cloud; we suggest encrypting your documents with VeraCrypt; which generates encrypted backups on a local disk for you.
Avoid Google Search
Google, along with Microsoft, Apple, and Facebook favour of the CLOUD Act big time; which implies that they’ll be more than happy to turn over your data should the request arrive at their offices.
While Google runs the most popular search engine, there are quality alternatives, such as StartPage which will give you Google’s results but with extra layers of security and privacy. DuckDuckGo, is another excellent alternatives, as they don’t store any user data, and would; consequently, have nothing of substance to give over to the government.
Conclusion –Cloud Act Violates Privacy
It’s becoming more and more challenging to remain anonymous over the web, but with legislation such as the CLOUD Act, it becomes even more imperative to cover your tracks.
We aren’t advising that you go off the grid entirely and put in the proverbial aluminium foil cap. Just be careful and take the requisite precautions. The first step is to get a VPN that will guard your anonymity and enable you the freedom to stay online; without any fear of snooping.
