These gorgeous tiny houses are completely off the grid

Google's kill switch; SIM swapping; Uber's quiet mode Hello. The Alabama legislature just voted to cr [Compass] Google’s kill switch; SIM swapping; Uber’s quiet mode Hello. The Alabama legislature just voted to criminalize abortion. For those feeling helpless, here are some [things you can do to help](. Meanwhile, China has [completely blocked]( Wikipedia. There’s a lot going on in the world, much of it disheartening. But let’s try to focus on what we can do to make things actually better. Anyway, here’s what’s happening on Fast Company today. Google and Apple's latest design trend Do you trust that tech companies aren’t using the microphones inside your phone, laptop, or smart-home device [to listen in]( on what you’re doing? Luckily, you don’t have to: Google’s latest smart display includes [a hardware kill switch]( that electrically disconnects the display’s camera and microphone to ensure that Google doesn’t accidentally end up with more data about your private life at home. These kill switches are a growing trend in consumer electronics, with Google, Amazon, Apple, and HP all starting to include them in their devices. While Google professes that the hardware kill switch will give people more control over their data, it’s really [more of a marketing gimmick]( in the form of hardware design: After all, smart home devices become unusable when they can no longer listen to you.—[Katharine Schwab]( Today's how-to: [How a $17 million business spent its money]( [How a $17 million business spent its money]( Starting a business is hard. Startup costs and unforeseen mishaps make it difficult for entrepreneurs to scale their businesses. The travel tours business Flash Pack began with only $39,200 and has grown into a $17 million operation. The two founders behind the business divulged where they spent their money over the first five years to get the company off the ground. Read more: [We built a $17 million business in less than 5 years: Here’s how we spent our money]( [www.fastcompany.com]( • [Share]( Today's digital self defense [How to avoid SIM swapping]( [How to avoid SIM swapping]( One way hackers are able to access the personal information of their victims is by a tactic called SIM swapping. Essentially, it’s when a user switches their phone number from one SIM card to another. There are ways, however, you can protect yourself from falling prey to this tactic. They range from using an authenticator app to protecting both your account and SIM card with a PIN. Read more: [How to stop the phone scam that leaves your most critical data exposed]( [www.fastcompany.com]( • [Share]( Today's housing trend: [Off-the-grid tiny houses]( [Off-the-grid tiny houses]( A startup called PassivDom 3D prints small compact homes that are completely self-sustaining. It employs innovative solar panels and even recycles water to make a truly eco-friendly, off-the-grid lifestyle possible. Read more: [These gorgeous tiny houses can operate entirely off the grid]( [www.fastcompany.com]( • [Share]( More from us: - [Uber’s new “Quiet Mode” lets you silence chatty drivers]( (Tech) - [A casual fan’s guide to jumping right in for John Wick 3]( (Creativity) - [Forget the Anthropocene: We’ve entered the synthetic age]( - [My boss gave me flextime when I became a mom, and it became harder to advance my career]( (Work Life) - [American Express has acquired reservation platform Resy]( (Tech) What else we're reading: - [Director Stacy Title is racing against ALS to make her final movie]( (Vulture) - [James Charles, from ‘CoverBoy’ to canceled]( (New York Times) Today's moment of reprieve: [Could your eyeball control tomorrow's mouse? Probably!]( Could your eyeball control tomorrow's mouse? Probably! Thanks for reading! Do you have suggestions or tips? [Email me]( Or [tweet me]( —Cale This newsletter was written by [Cale Guthrie Weissman](. Feedback We’d love to hear your thoughts about Compass. [Click here]( to give us feedback. And here’s [more information]( about Fast Company’s Compass newsletter. Did you enjoy this issue? [Fast Company] You can [update your details here](. If you don’t want to receive Compass anymore, [unsubscribe here]( If you were forwarded Compass and like it, [subscribe here]( [View this newsletter online]( Powered by [Revue]( 7 World Trade Center, 29th Floor, New York, NY 10007-2195