Every so often, someone will say to me:
“I just want to be anonymous online.”
Usually, what they really mean is:
- they don’t want to be tracked everywhere
- they don’t want ads to feel creepy
- they don’t want their information misused
That’s understandable.
But anonymity isn’t the solution most people think it is.
What Anonymity Actually Means
Anonymity means separating actions from identity.
It’s not about being safer — it’s about being harder to trace.
Tools and behaviors associated with anonymity include:
- Tor or similar networks
- burner accounts
- avoiding persistent logins
- minimizing identity signals
Used correctly, anonymity can be powerful.
Used casually, it’s frustrating.
Why Anonymity Breaks Things
Here’s the part that rarely gets mentioned.
True anonymity:
- makes account recovery difficult or impossible
- breaks personalization people rely on
- removes trust signals
- adds friction everywhere
Most people don’t want their:
- photos
- purchases
- documents
to be permanently unrecoverable if something goes wrong.
Convenience and recovery require identity.
Privacy Is About Control — Not Disappearing
You can have strong privacy without being anonymous.
Examples:
- limiting app permissions
- turning off unnecessary location tracking
- choosing services with better data practices
- understanding what you’re trading for convenience
Privacy is about intentional sharing, not zero sharing.
When Anonymity Actually Makes Sense
There are legitimate use cases:
- journalists and whistleblowers
- activists in high-risk environments
- abuse victims protecting themselves
- sensitive research or investigations
These situations require planning, discipline, and tools — not casual settings toggles.
Anonymity is a tool, not a lifestyle.
The Mistake People Make
The biggest mistake I see is trying to use anonymity to fix a privacy problem.
That usually leads to:
- broken apps
- lost accounts
- frustration
- and a false sense of security
Privacy and security basics solve 90% of everyday concerns.
The Big Takeaway
If this post had one line, it would be this:
👉 Anonymity hides who you are.
Privacy controls what’s shared.
Security keeps you safe.
Most people need the second and third far more than the first.
What’s Coming Next
Next up:
The privacy–convenience tradeoff (and how to choose intentionally)
This is where everything starts to come together.