03 Feb 2026
Uninstall Google Chrome. Use any browser with a default adblocker and protections from online tracking, like Waterfox, Vivaldi, Brave or Firefox.
Install EFF’s Privacy Badger and Ublock Origin, plus extensions that automatically reject cookie banners (e.g. consent-o-matic, I don’t care about cookies).
Ditch Google as your default search engine and choose a privacy-friendly alternative like DuckDuckGo, Startpage, Qwant or Mojeek.
Stop nasty trackers and analytics on your phone apps by installing Blockada on Android or Lockdown Privacy on Apple devices.
Android: Settings > Google > Ads > Turn off ‘Ad Personalisation’
iPhone: Settings > Privacy > Tracking > Turn off ‘Allow Apps to Request to Track’
Don’t sign in to sites with another site such as Google or Facebook. Always create a separate account, e.g. with your email address and a password.
Consider using services like SimpleLogin/ProtonPass or Addy.io. If you’re comfortable using US services, consider DuckDuckGo Email Protection, Firefox Relay, or SurfShark Alternative ID.
Always use a password manager like 1Passord, Bitwarden, Keepass or Nord.
If you can afford it, pay for an email provider like Proton Mail, rather than using providers like Gmail, Yahoo, or Microsoft Outlook.
Whenever possible, use Signal Messenger rather than WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger.
Choose a reputable VPN like NordVPN, Surfshark or ProtonVPN. Avoid free VPNs.
There’s only so much we can do as individuals to protect ourselves from the powerful, billion pound adtech industry. We need to work together to demand that politicians and the ICO take action to protect us.
Read more about the Stop Stalker Ads campaign
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