Windows & macOS Privacy & Telemetry Hardening

Securing Your Operating System

Both Windows and macOS ship with default settings configured to collect diagnostic data, advertising IDs, and usage analytics.

Windows Privacy Checklist

1. Disable Diagnostic & Telemetry Data: Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Diagnostics & feedback and set to Optional off.
2. Turn off Advertising ID: Prevent apps from tracking you across software.
3. Review App Permissions: Revoke camera, microphone, and location access for apps that don't need them.
4. Use Privacy Tools: Open-source tools like O&O ShutUp10+ allow quick toggling of invasive Windows telemetry features.

macOS Privacy Checklist

1. FileVault Disk Encryption: Ensure FileVault is turned ON in System Settings > Privacy & Security so your SSD is encrypted at rest.
2. Location Services Audit: Review which background apps have location access.
3. Disable Analytics Sharing: Uncheck "Share Mac Analytics with Apple".