A woman using her phone in a café.
Taylor Swift’s “Reputation” album is a rollercoaster of emotions and lessons that can be surprisingly applicable to protecting your privacy. Just as Taylor crafts a meticulous public image and guards her personal life, you too can take steps to safeguard your privacy online and offline. Let’s delve into some songs from the album and uncover the privacy wisdom within.
…Ready For It?
Starting off strong, “…Ready For It?” is a bold declaration of readiness, someone willing to play games and win, daring the listener to “see how this is gonna go”. Similarly, when it comes to protecting your privacy, think of it as a game you want to win, and preparation and readiness is key to that goal.
If you want to be “…Ready for It”, start by understanding the basics of online security. Use strong, unique passwords for your accounts, enable two-factor authentication (2FA) (Authy or other authenticator app), and keep your software up-to-date to guard against vulnerabilities.
Instead of cyber thieves running off with all your data into the night, you’ll have taken precautions ahead of time. You’ll be “Ready for It” for when the games begin, such as doxxing.
End Game
In “End Game,” Taylor sings about wanting to be your A-Team. In the context of privacy, your end game should be securing your data. Be selective about the information you share online. Do you really need to post your location, your birthdate, or other personal details? Consider the potential risks and make informed choices.
Knowing your own risk profile or threat model is important, so that you can determine what you need to protect and from whom you’re protecting it.
Your end game should be ensuring you understand your own digital footprint, what details are on the internet about you, and determining what level of privacy you want to maintain.
I Did Something Bad
Sometimes, despite our best efforts, mistakes happen. “I Did Something Bad” reminds us that acknowledging and learning from our errors is crucial. If you suspect your data has been compromised, take immediate action. Change your passwords, review your account activity for suspicious behavior, and alert the necessary parties to mitigate the damage.
Additional steps you can take, include using Have I Been Pwned to search for your email address and whether it was in a security data breach. You can also set up Google Alerts for yourself, your business, your family, your phone numbers, anything connected to you to inform if or when information is posted online about you.
Don’t Blame Me
In “Don’t Blame Me,” Taylor takes ownership of her actions. Similarly, take responsibility for your online presence. Regularly audit your privacy settings on social media and other platforms. Understand the terms of service and privacy policies of the services you use. Terms of Service Didn’t Read is a great resource to help simplify what many site TOS say in between all the legalese.
In the same way companies say “Don’t Blame Me” for the things you choose not to read in their TOS, you’re still bound by that agreement. Knowledge is power, and it’s in your best interest to know how your data is being used.
Delicate
“Delicate” beautifully captures the vulnerability we feel when sharing parts of ourselves. Treat your personal information as something delicate. Be cautious about the apps and websites you trust with your data. Be sure to read their disclosures on data transfer and whether you can delete your accounts. Sadly, companies are not nearly as “Delicate” with data as they should be and leave you hanging sometimes.
Consider as you’re having those “Delicate” conversations, using encrypted communication tools for anything sensitive, and be wary of phishing scams that can trick you into revealing personal details.
Look What You Made Me Do
“Look What You Made Me Do” is all about taking control and asserting yourself. In terms of privacy, this means reclaiming pieces of your digital footprint. Use privacy-focused browsers such as Firefox or Mullvad, install ad-blockers like uBlock, and clear your browsing history regularly. Take control of your data footprint and minimize the information that can be tracked and collected.
Companies sell your data to data brokers, which means you need to get smarter and harder with your online security. Underline this list of names, and the data brokers in red, and opt out of those sites so you’re the one saying “Look What You Made Me Do.”
Getaway Car
In “Getaway Car,” Taylor sings about a swift escape. Similarly, have an exit plan for your digital life. Regularly back up your data to an external hard drive or secure cloud service. If a service you use experiences a data breach, be prepared to swiftly migrate to a more secure alternative.
Additionally, consider offline information where you might need backups or a great escape in your “Getaway Car”. Make copies of your passport, identifications (children too), list of any medications for your families/pets and medical supplies, important documents, and put that in go-bag in case of natural disaster or other emergency.
Dancing With Our Hands Tied
This song speaks to the constraints and challenges we face. Similarly, balancing convenience with privacy can feel like a dance with our hands tied. Choose more privacy-friendly alternatives to popular services, such as DuckDuckGo for searches or Tuta for emails. Also consider using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to help layer your security a bit more. It might require some adjustment, but it’s worth it for your peace of mind.
This Is Why We Can’t Have Nice Things
“This Is Why We Can’t Have Nice Things” addresses the consequences of misplaced trust. Be skeptical of free services that seem too good to be true; often, you’re paying with your data (Google is great example). Invest in reputable security software, such as Bitwarden or Windows Defender. If you’re on MacOS they have built-in security that works extremely well.
Companies and their data policies are often why we cannot have nice things, so apply this to your online presence by managing your digital footprint. Use pseudonyms or nicknames instead of your real name on forums and social media. Tools like MySudo allow you to set up unique profiles under an assumed name, complete with phone number, email address and brief profile.
Take control of your online reputation by regularly Googling yourself to see what information is out there about you. If you find inaccurate or harmful information, take steps to correct it, you can use this form to request Google remove the information from Google search results.
New Year’s Day
The closing track, “New Year’s Day,” is a reminder to reflect and renew. Make it a habit to periodically review your privacy settings and security measures on your social media apps, phone and other devices. Just as you would with New Year’s resolutions, set goals for improving your privacy and commit to them. You can do it one app at a time, one step at a time.
Final Thoughts
By channeling the spirit of Taylor Swift’s “Reputation” album, you can take meaningful steps to protect your privacy. Stay prepared, take control, and remember that your personal information is delicate and valuable. With these strategies, you’ll be well on your way to safeguarding your online life, while better protecting your privacy. If you need help, you can book a Swift Security Session with us.