Dedicated Email & Phone Number for Admin/Family: Good Idea? How to Limit GAFAM Exposure?
from maxence@jlai.lu to privacy@lemmy.ml on 26 Nov 2025 07:45
https://jlai.lu/post/29279948

Hi everyone, I’m considering setting up:

A dedicated email address (e.g., first.last@proton.me or similar) A separate phone number (via Free, Google Voice, or another provider)

Exclusively for: Administrative tasks (taxes, banking, etc.) Communication with family and close friends

Goal: Minimize my personal data exposure to GAFAM and other platforms, while keeping a reliable way for loved ones to reach me.

Issue: Even with this separation, if my friends or family share my info (e.g., my number or email) with their services (Facebook, WhatsApp, etc.), my identity will eventually be linked back to these platforms. How can I mitigate this risk?

Questions:

Is this approach actually effective, or am I missing something? What solutions do you use to protect your data in similar situations? Are there alternatives for staying in touch with loved ones without exposing my identity to GAFAM?

Thanks in advance for your insights and advice!

#privacy