Munches, parties, and classes will most likely be held online for months to come in the wake of Covid-19. While we’re in the lull between “OMGs get online!” and “Zoom Fatigue” it’s a good idea to review some privacy practices while we prepare for the long online haul. If you’re a person who wants to keep their kink identity separate from their everyday one these X tips will help you on your way to privacy perfection.
Create A Kink Identity
Before you sign up for your first (or anymore) kink accounts create your very own kink identity. Create a name, screen name, and email address just for all of your kink stuff. This becomes very important later on. If you have the opportunity to use separate smartphones, by all means, do it! A unique kink identity will help stymie the cross-contamination between your kink and mundane digital accounts.
Use Your Kink Identity Consistently
Keep your eyes open for applications that will use your identity when you use third-party apps. For example, if you’re going to download the Zoom or WebEx app on your smartphone make sure that you're logged into the app or play store with your kink identity. There’s potential for software to harvest contacts through your email address when you give apps permission. If you download Zoom for kink events under your mundane email it may harvest your work contacts and make suggestions on other apps like Facebook.
Sign Out on Exit
When you’re done using whatever app of choice in the kink realm make sure you sign out and close the window it was in. Signing out reduces the risk that the wrong screen will pop up on your conference call to your secretary. It will also make it less likely that you answer a WebEx with your kink account instead of your work account.
For additional safety sign out of all of your video conferencing software and clients when you’re done with them each time. If you have to log in each time you’ll be less likely to join a kink video conference with your mundane or work name as the display name. Taking this extra step can prevent you from outing yourself to all the kinksters at an online munch. This is especially important if you use the same video conferencing for work as you will use to join online kink events.
Clear Your Cache
Those pesky little temporary files will tell tales on you in a heartbeat. It’s ideal if you clear them after every time you use your computer or phone for kinky things. Even if you’re signed out of your Zoom accounts Zoom can still harvest a username that you typed in. The last thing you need it to have your display name show as analslut69 when your boss pops in for a chat.
Keep Up With Security Updates
Keep apprised of which apps are the most secure, use them, and encourage other people to use them. I won’t make recommendations here, because app security can change on a daily basis. TechCrunch is a great source for information on all things technical.
Enjoying kinky times together while separate can be tricky, but with a little practice and a commitment to simple tasks that keep you safe, you’ll be able to enjoy it with the peace of mind you deserve. One day, we’ll be able to enjoy our kinky lives without stigma or shame. Until then, stay safe and stay healthy!
