CyberSwaraj: Digital Privacy for Beginners

The "CyberSwaraj: Digital Privacy for Beginners" session is an essential gathering for anyone looking to understand and reclaim control over their digital life, especially those new to the concept of online privacy. Hosted by Bitshala Bitspace in Bengaluru, this event aims to demystify the complexities of online tracking and empower individuals with actionable steps to enhance their digital privacy without relying on technical jargon or fostering paranoia. It is perfectly suited for beginners, developers, privacy advocates, and anyone who feels a growing unease about the pervasive nature of online data collection.

Attendees will benefit from a clear, non-technical walkthrough explaining how everyday applications and devices observe and track user behavior, alongside an exploration of the subtle yet significant impact of losing private digital space. The session will thoughtfully differentiate between privacy, secrecy, and safety, challenging the common misconception of "I have nothing to hide." A key highlight includes a practical showcase by a speaker who operates an almost entirely open-source phone setup, demonstrating viable alternatives to surveillance-heavy applications.

The event will conclude with a hands-on workshop where participants will be guided through installing open-source alternatives and replacing some of the most intrusive apps on their personal devices. The primary objective is for every attendee to leave with a phone that is notably more private than when they arrived. This workshop underscores the philosophy that every small step towards digital privacy is meaningful and impactful for all participants.

What we'll cover:

• Part 1: Where privacy actually leaks
  • Why "I have nothing to hide" misses the point
  • The difference between privacy, secrecy, and safety
  • How ordinary apps and devices observe and track far more than you think
  • What changes, slowly and invisibly, when people lose their private space
• Part 2: What you can actually do about it
  • A speaker will walk through their open-source phone setup and the choices they made.
  • Hands-on session to install open-source alternatives and replace privacy-infringing apps.

Who this is for:

• Anyone who hasn't deeply explored the need for privacy before.
• Individuals who feel uneasy about the internet's data collection practices.
• Developers, privacy advocates, and anyone interested in open-source tools.

Venue: Bitshala Bitspace, HSR Layout Sector 7, Bengaluru.