As a Medical Doctor becoming software developer, I’ve spent years working on a system to protect the medical data professionals keep in their devices because I truly believe there are legitimate reasons to do so, for the sake of our patients and our science.

However, I have done very little to protect my own Privacy. Quite the opposite, the development of DocToDoctor app has led to the creation or reactivation of professional profiles on FaceBook, Instagram, Linkedin, Twitter and others.

So, I am offering (giving away) much more information than ever to the Data Barons, the multi headed powerful (predatory?) gang of data traffickers.

After reading, , Paloma Llaneza’s Datanomics book – mandatory in my humble perception, I looked at the mirror and asked myself what I was doing for the privacy of My Very Own personal data, once the professional ones were covered.

An easy list of wrongdoings:

1. Gmail, with several accounts, is my standard mail service. Alphabet has always pointed out that they read the contents to improve the user experience and tune up the advertisements they show me
2. Chrome is the current browser on my OS X and Windows computers. Shared favorites among them.
3. I use the DNS of my operator or those of Google for web surfing
4. I am very active on WhatsApp
5. Right now I have activity, mainly professional, in FaceBook, Instagram, Linkedin, Twitter, and several other technology forums
6. I do searches (how can I not?) through Google
7. I have a merged fiber, mobile and TV account with my ISP
8. I have an iPhone
9. I also have an Android phone (as developer I need both)
10. I do not keep track of which applications have access to my contacts, although I know that I am quite restrictive when it comes to giving permissions.
11. I am a Netflix user, Amazon Prime Video and many other Services. Well, I pay for them, and I would use them if I had time.

Purpose of Amendment must go hand in hand with Repentance and Concern, so I have set to work to increase my very own Privacy. I will describe findings and surprises in this  amazing research.

CHAPTER ONE – Mail

A Google search for safe mail applications will offer several descriptive articles about the commonest; check them by yourself, if you wish. Interestingly, Google puts ads for Insurance Companies, although the results are from proper Mail  apps . Hurray for keywords advertisement sale system (algorithms)!

After thorough reading of several articles, pages and blogs, I have chosen ProtonMail as my Mail program.

It offers point-to-point encryption, anonymity, and “Swiss Security” (whatever that means). The other advantages that its web site describes, as being OpenSource, Easy to use, OpenBox Design… seem less determinant to me (but it is not in the long term).

It has a free version, allowing you to store up to 500 MB. For € 4 per month, the PLUS version, you can  get many more things: 5 GB of data, 5 domains, even your own domain, labels and folders, etc.

It has a Visionary option, € 24 per month, giving you 50 aliases, 10 domains, access to ProtonVPN, etc.

I’m  testing it. I have  set up two accounts to send myself  things from one to the other  . And I will pay those € 4 monthly willingly when I can confirm its usefulness. I have not made yet the monthly payment because, being inside the e-commerce, I know that they charge  my credit card for each operation. When I confirm that it is worthy, I’ll make the annual deal. Better than filling the banker’s splinter, make it reaches the developer.(I rather make the developer rich, than the bank)

A very important detail: if you forget the password, you will lose ALL previous mails; they are encrypted with that very only password. You can continue with the account by changing the password, but losing everything. take note of that detail!

The tough work is now sending the new address to the contacts I regularly use. And dare excluding those who I do not really care.

Recommendation ONE: Switch to ProtonMail as soon as possible.