does using a GNU/Linux based OS (doesn't matter which one) make me stick out like a sore thumb?

[CataclysmicGentleman]

hello everyone,

I've seen Edward Snowdens content, and was just curious for your thoughts:

does simply using a GNU/Linux based os for everyday tasks, including banking, social media, online shopping, etc. put me on some sort of watchlist for the five eyes/NSA surveillance government?

in general, I just expect the government to have constant access to everything I do online- YouTube watch history, browsing history, etc. i've only expected and hoped to escape the soulless data collection and data selling by Google another mega corporations.

ever since I was a teen, I've been paranoid about government surveillance, I don't exactly know why, perhaps it was because I didn't trust authority figures. I still have trouble respecting and trusting those authority over me.

but to keep this on topic with the security question:

I noticed on Steam when it sees which device I'm using it can see I'm using Linux

I know in France they started targeting and singling out people who were using mobile devices with GraphineOS.

I can link related articles and quotations if necessary

TLDR: am I automatically added to some government watchlist simply by using Linux?

 

[deb_user]

Without access to government information, how would any of us know that? It's not difficult to spoof the browser ID and tell sites you're using Windows, even a Windows-specific browser. That's been a thing for decades.

 

[dimko]

How do you know we are not agents when we respond to your questions? Oh god I am so bad.
I live in Ireland, I don't think anyone cares about it here.

 

[Mike-BTU]

TLDR: am I automatically added to some government watchlist simply by using Linux?

Very likely not. Which government? Various Linux distros are based in many different countries.

If you're going to worry about stuff like that, Windows allegedly sends all sorts of personal data about you.

 

[dimko]

Also, EU, places like Germany, LITERALLY forced its government to accept open standards so people on Mac/Linux could use government services.

 

[Brickwizard]

@CataclysmicGentleman

I will can not offer any further details, all i can say is, I have been using Linux well over 20 years, in that time I have been regularly vetted in the UK, I have also been vetted by the US security services, and Linux has never proven to be a problem

 

[CataclysmicGentleman]

@CataclysmicGentleman

I will can not offer any further details, all i can say is, I have been using Linux well over 20 years, in that time I have been regularly vetted in the UK, I have also been vetted by the US security services, and Linux has never proven to be a problem

That helps calm me, thank you.

 

[dimko]

i would also make you more paranoid. You are being analyzed every day regardless of OS. Do you log in in gmail? Do you use search engines? Do you use social networks?