NYS is reimbursing small towns 15% of the cost of implementing this technology, in the guise of, as usual, our protection. In this case, it is framed as necessary in order to protect our "infrastructure," and are going up around police stations, fire stations, water treatment plants, mucicipal offices, and the like. These are usually in high traffic areas, so data collection is going on for almost everyone.

I was at the village board meeting when these cameras were approved. There was virtually no discussion. It was not even on the agenda, nor was the police chief, in whose name the request was made, present. NO ONE THERE HAD GIVEN IT A MOMENT'S THOUGHT. The board is so eager to get money from the state they approve this kind of shit without thought of any kind. The words "government grant" seem to trigger a state of hypnosis in these small towns. Need I point out the dangers in that?! I try, I try. The board is often lamenting that they have to follow this or that dictate because they took a grant for something else.

I do all of your steps. I would add: Get a landline. Stop using your smart phones whenever possible. Do not take them everywhere you go. I rarely take mine (I have two - one graphene OS) with me anywhere, and when I do, it's in a faraday cage. Start moving to privacy devices now, even if you don't feel ready. They take a while, in my case nearly a year, to really use dependably.

Many people think I am nuts.