Bring Your Own Privacy (BYOP)

This post is me doing my small bit to advocate for better digital privacy practices.

Forget the “burn your phone and move to the mountains” advice. What if protecting your digital privacy was less about extreme measures and more about simple, everyday habits?

Introduction: BYOP

Think of it like washing your hands before dinner: a small, sensible act that quietly stacks up over time to make a real difference.

This idea, which I’m calling Bring Your Own Privacy (BYOP), was sparked by a fantastic talk I recently watched: How to Hide in Plain Sight: Next-Level Digital Privacy by Ivan Banov. It’s full of calm, practical wisdom instead of fear-mongering, and I highly recommend it.

That talk got me thinking, and a phrase clicked into place: “Bring Your Own Privacy”. Because in today’s world, the best person to safeguard your privacy is you.

This post introduces the idea and the values behind it. Consider it a small manifesto — not a rulebook.

What does “Bring Your Own Privacy” mean?

At its core, Bring Your Own Privacy is a simple shift in mindset: taking ownership of our own privacy instead of handing it over entirely to the services we use.

Most companies say they value your privacy. Some genuinely do. But for others, that commitment tends to fade the moment it bumps into growth, engagement, or revenue targets.

BYOP is about recognizing this reality and taking back a little control. It’s built on a few straightforward ideas:

The goal

So, what are we aiming for here? It’s not about achieving perfect, untraceable digital invisibility. The real goal is prudence.

This is about building small, practical habits that help you:

And you can do all of this without turning your daily routine into a paranoia ritual or a full-time cybersecurity job. Think of it like applying sunscreen, not building a bunker.

Why does privacy matter?

Privacy policies are complex, opaque, and change frequently. Once information exists, it’s difficult to control where it ends up or how it’s used.
Privacy is often framed as a niche concern, something only activists or security professionals worry about. In reality, it affects everyone.

Your data:

Privacy protects:

The BYOP Manifesto

BYOP isn’t about a long checklist of rules to follow.
It’s a mindset and these are the principles that guide it.

1. Privacy is a personal responsibility

I am the primary guardian of my privacy. If it matters, I don’t leave it entirely in someone else’s hands.

2. Privacy is less data, not just protected data

The safest information is the information that was never collected in the first place.

3. Privacy is about resilience, not hiding

I take small steps to limit what could be used against me.

4. Privacy is small, compounding habits

Small habits, built over time, create real change. I don’t need perfection to make meaningful progress.

5. Privacy is control before trust

I prioritize what I can control over what a service provider promises to do.

6. Privacy is a gift

I am building a life with fewer digital liabilities for myself and the people I care about.

What comes next

This manifesto is just the beginning.

In future posts, I’ll break down how to put BYOP practice, exploring one small area at a time:

There will be no scare tactics, no paranoia, and no guilt-trips. Just calm, practical steps to help you live well in a connected world. You don’t need to disappear from the internet. You just need to stop being unnecessarily visible.

If you take nothing else from this, remember this one idea:

BYOP is not about hiding. It’s about learning how to be hidden in plain sight.

Bring your own privacy.