If you have read Orwell’s masterpiece “1984” where he describes his dystopia, you must have noticed that the world we live in today is very un-1984-ly where you can exercise freedom of speech and political rights. Until you realise that it isn’t!

In 1984, the big brother was watching the subjects of that authoritarian state. Thankfully we don’t have a big brother. However; to access this very article, you ought to be using some sort of computer/mobile phone, a web browser or a mobile app of some sort, and to get access to the content itself you must be using an internet service provider. All these are big brothers, and they are watching every single thing you do, they log every action you do on the internet, and every action you don’t, they log when you move your mouse. If you type something then delete it, it’s permanently logged somewhere on the internet. If you are using an android phone, then your location is being recorded from the moment you turn your phone on until you turn it off, even if you ask your phone not to do so! The tech giants are constantly and consistently analysing your online activity, your online purchases and even your thoughts. They even recommend for you what to read, what to watch, what to buy, what to think, and how to think of it!

You are ALWAYS being watched on the internet no matter where you are, in some countries, if you search for something that the government doesn’t like, they will get notified and will start to watch you closely. But in some less fortunate countries, everyone is being watched by default. One of the most staggering examples is China. The country has its own search engine and chat app, which you use to pay even for your groceries etc. The government knows everything about all humans that live inside its borders (at least in the biggest cities).

But if you are not doing anything illegal, why care? Well even in that case, having a big brother watching and controlling you is certainly unpleasant, I come from an authoritarian country (Egypt) and I am telling you I didn’t really enjoy it! So what can we do?

What you can do is completely disconnect from the internet and never come back…

No I’m just kidding, please don’t :) You would certainly be safe, but you will be missing out heaps, You can instead be safe if you do the following: