diff --git a/mod/cal.php b/mod/cal.php
index eba8d97586..51d17a10a4 100644
--- a/mod/cal.php
+++ b/mod/cal.php
@@ -200,7 +200,7 @@ function cal_content(App $a)
 
 		// put the event parametes in an array so we can better transmit them
 		$event_params = [
-			'event_id'      => intval(defaults($_GET, 'id', 0)),
+			'event_id'      => intval($_GET['id'] ?? 0),
 			'start'         => $start,
 			'finish'        => $finish,
 			'adjust_start'  => $adjust_start,
diff --git a/mod/common.php b/mod/common.php
index a2821921c6..9d441f18a7 100644
--- a/mod/common.php
+++ b/mod/common.php
@@ -118,7 +118,7 @@ function common_content(App $a)
 
 		$entry = [
 			'url'          => Model\Contact::magicLink($common_friend['url']),
-			'itemurl'      => defaults($contact_details, 'addr', $common_friend['url']),
+			'itemurl'      => ($contact_details['addr'] ?? '') ?: $common_friend['url'],
 			'name'         => $contact_details['name'],
 			'thumb'        => ProxyUtils::proxifyUrl($contact_details['thumb'], false, ProxyUtils::SIZE_THUMB),
 			'img_hover'    => $contact_details['name'],
diff --git a/mod/crepair.php b/mod/crepair.php
index ce27b44982..84cb458fa2 100644
--- a/mod/crepair.php
+++ b/mod/crepair.php
@@ -38,17 +38,17 @@ function crepair_post(App $a)
 		return;
 	}
 
-	$name        = defaults($_POST, 'name'       , $contact['name']);
-	$nick        = defaults($_POST, 'nick'       , '');
-	$url         = defaults($_POST, 'url'        , '');
-	$alias       = defaults($_POST, 'alias'      , '');
-	$request     = defaults($_POST, 'request'    , '');
-	$confirm     = defaults($_POST, 'confirm'    , '');
-	$notify      = defaults($_POST, 'notify'     , '');
-	$poll        = defaults($_POST, 'poll'       , '');
-	$attag       = defaults($_POST, 'attag'      , '');
-	$photo       = defaults($_POST, 'photo'      , '');
-	$remote_self = defaults($_POST, 'remote_self', false);
+	$name        = ($_POST['name']        ?? '') ?: $contact['name'];
+	$nick        =  $_POST['nick']        ?? '';
+	$url         =  $_POST['url']         ?? '';
+	$alias       =  $_POST['alias']       ?? '';
+	$request     =  $_POST['request']     ?? '';
+	$confirm     =  $_POST['confirm']     ?? '';
+	$notify      =  $_POST['notify']      ?? '';
+	$poll        =  $_POST['poll']        ?? '';
+	$attag       =  $_POST['attag']       ?? '';
+	$photo       =  $_POST['photo']       ?? '';
+	$remote_self =  $_POST['remote_self'] ?? false;
 	$nurl        = Strings::normaliseLink($url);
 
 	$r = DBA::update(
diff --git a/mod/dfrn_confirm.php b/mod/dfrn_confirm.php
index 9f9684e093..944ba98be2 100644
--- a/mod/dfrn_confirm.php
+++ b/mod/dfrn_confirm.php
@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@ function dfrn_confirm_post(App $a, $handsfree = null)
 	 * since we are operating on behalf of our registered user to approve a friendship.
 	 */
 	if (empty($_POST['source_url'])) {
-		$uid = defaults($handsfree, 'uid', local_user());
+		$uid = ($handsfree['uid'] ?? 0) ?: local_user();
 		if (!$uid) {
 			notice(L10n::t('Permission denied.') . EOL);
 			return;
@@ -78,13 +78,13 @@ function dfrn_confirm_post(App $a, $handsfree = null)
 			$intro_id = $handsfree['intro_id'];
 			$duplex   = $handsfree['duplex'];
 			$cid      = 0;
-			$hidden   = intval(defaults($handsfree, 'hidden'  , 0));
+			$hidden   = intval($handsfree['hidden'] ?? 0);
 		} else {
-			$dfrn_id  = Strings::escapeTags(trim(defaults($_POST, 'dfrn_id'   , '')));
-			$intro_id =      intval(defaults($_POST, 'intro_id'  , 0));
-			$duplex   =      intval(defaults($_POST, 'duplex'    , 0));
-			$cid      =      intval(defaults($_POST, 'contact_id', 0));
-			$hidden   =      intval(defaults($_POST, 'hidden'    , 0));
+			$dfrn_id  = Strings::escapeTags(trim($_POST['dfrn_id'] ?? ''));
+			$intro_id = intval($_POST['intro_id']   ?? 0);
+			$duplex   = intval($_POST['duplex']     ?? 0);
+			$cid      = intval($_POST['contact_id'] ?? 0);
+			$hidden   = intval($_POST['hidden']     ?? 0);
 		}
 
 		/*
@@ -347,12 +347,12 @@ function dfrn_confirm_post(App $a, $handsfree = null)
 	 */
 	if (!empty($_POST['source_url'])) {
 		// We are processing an external confirmation to an introduction created by our user.
-		$public_key =         defaults($_POST, 'public_key', '');
-		$dfrn_id    = hex2bin(defaults($_POST, 'dfrn_id'   , ''));
-		$source_url = hex2bin(defaults($_POST, 'source_url', ''));
-		$aes_key    =         defaults($_POST, 'aes_key'   , '');
-		$duplex     =  intval(defaults($_POST, 'duplex'    , 0));
-		$page       =  intval(defaults($_POST, 'page'      , 0));
+		$public_key =         $_POST['public_key'] ?? '';
+		$dfrn_id    = hex2bin($_POST['dfrn_id']    ?? '');
+		$source_url = hex2bin($_POST['source_url'] ?? '');
+		$aes_key    =         $_POST['aes_key']    ?? '';
+		$duplex     =  intval($_POST['duplex']     ?? 0);
+		$page       =  intval($_POST['page']       ?? 0);
 
 		$forum = (($page == 1) ? 1 : 0);
 		$prv   = (($page == 2) ? 1 : 0);
diff --git a/mod/dfrn_notify.php b/mod/dfrn_notify.php
index 3f0ecba005..dee6bad779 100644
--- a/mod/dfrn_notify.php
+++ b/mod/dfrn_notify.php
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ function dfrn_notify_post(App $a) {
 	if (empty($_POST) || !empty($postdata)) {
 		$data = json_decode($postdata);
 		if (is_object($data)) {
-			$nick = defaults($a->argv, 1, '');
+			$nick = $a->argv[1] ?? '';
 
 			$user = DBA::selectFirst('user', [], ['nickname' => $nick, 'account_expired' => false, 'account_removed' => false]);
 			if (!DBA::isResult($user)) {
@@ -42,8 +42,8 @@ function dfrn_notify_post(App $a) {
 	$dfrn_id      = (!empty($_POST['dfrn_id'])      ? Strings::escapeTags(trim($_POST['dfrn_id']))   : '');
 	$dfrn_version = (!empty($_POST['dfrn_version']) ? (float) $_POST['dfrn_version']    : 2.0);
 	$challenge    = (!empty($_POST['challenge'])    ? Strings::escapeTags(trim($_POST['challenge'])) : '');
-	$data         = defaults($_POST, 'data', '');
-	$key          = defaults($_POST, 'key', '');
+	$data         = $_POST['data'] ?? '';
+	$key          = $_POST['key'] ?? '';
 	$rino_remote  = (!empty($_POST['rino'])         ? intval($_POST['rino'])            :  0);
 	$dissolve     = (!empty($_POST['dissolve'])     ? intval($_POST['dissolve'])        :  0);
 	$perm         = (!empty($_POST['perm'])         ? Strings::escapeTags(trim($_POST['perm']))      : 'r');
diff --git a/mod/dfrn_poll.php b/mod/dfrn_poll.php
index c6134bb45d..ca60cc87a1 100644
--- a/mod/dfrn_poll.php
+++ b/mod/dfrn_poll.php
@@ -22,17 +22,17 @@ function dfrn_poll_init(App $a)
 {
 	Login::sessionAuth();
 
-	$dfrn_id         = defaults($_GET, 'dfrn_id'        , '');
-	$type            = defaults($_GET, 'type'           , 'data');
-	$last_update     = defaults($_GET, 'last_update'    , '');
-	$destination_url = defaults($_GET, 'destination_url', '');
-	$challenge       = defaults($_GET, 'challenge'      , '');
-	$sec             = defaults($_GET, 'sec'            , '');
-	$dfrn_version    = (float) defaults($_GET, 'dfrn_version'   , 2.0);
+	$dfrn_id         =  $_GET['dfrn_id']         ?? '';
+	$type            = ($_GET['type']            ?? '') ?: 'data';
+	$last_update     =  $_GET['last_update']     ?? '';
+	$destination_url =  $_GET['destination_url'] ?? '';
+	$challenge       =  $_GET['challenge']       ?? '';
+	$sec             =  $_GET['sec']             ?? '';
+	$dfrn_version    = floatval(($_GET['dfrn_version'] ?? 0.0) ?: 2.0);
 	$quiet			 = !empty($_GET['quiet']);
 
 	// Possibly it is an OStatus compatible server that requests a user feed
-	$user_agent = defaults($_SERVER, 'HTTP_USER_AGENT', '');
+	$user_agent = $_SERVER['HTTP_USER_AGENT'] ?? '';
 	if (($a->argc > 1) && ($dfrn_id == '') && !strstr($user_agent, 'Friendica')) {
 		$nickname = $a->argv[1];
 		header("Content-type: application/atom+xml");
@@ -225,13 +225,13 @@ function dfrn_poll_init(App $a)
 
 function dfrn_poll_post(App $a)
 {
-	$dfrn_id      = defaults($_POST, 'dfrn_id'  , '');
-	$challenge    = defaults($_POST, 'challenge', '');
-	$url          = defaults($_POST, 'url'      , '');
-	$sec          = defaults($_POST, 'sec'      , '');
-	$ptype        = defaults($_POST, 'type'     , '');
-	$perm         = defaults($_POST, 'perm'     , 'r');
-	$dfrn_version = !empty($_POST['dfrn_version']) ? (float) $_POST['dfrn_version'] : 2.0;
+	$dfrn_id      =  $_POST['dfrn_id']   ?? '';
+	$challenge    =  $_POST['challenge'] ?? '';
+	$url          =  $_POST['url']       ?? '';
+	$sec          =  $_POST['sec']       ?? '';
+	$ptype        =  $_POST['type']      ?? '';
+	$perm         = ($_POST['perm']      ?? '') ?: 'r';
+	$dfrn_version = floatval(($_GET['dfrn_version'] ?? 0.0) ?: 2.0);
 
 	if ($ptype === 'profile-check') {
 		if (strlen($challenge) && strlen($sec)) {
@@ -391,12 +391,12 @@ function dfrn_poll_post(App $a)
 
 function dfrn_poll_content(App $a)
 {
-	$dfrn_id         = defaults($_GET, 'dfrn_id'        , '');
-	$type            = defaults($_GET, 'type'           , 'data');
-	$last_update     = defaults($_GET, 'last_update'    , '');
-	$destination_url = defaults($_GET, 'destination_url', '');
-	$sec             = defaults($_GET, 'sec'            , '');
-	$dfrn_version    = !empty($_GET['dfrn_version'])    ? (float) $_GET['dfrn_version'] : 2.0;
+	$dfrn_id         =  $_GET['dfrn_id']         ?? '';
+	$type            = ($_GET['type']            ?? '') ?: 'data';
+	$last_update     =  $_GET['last_update']     ?? '';
+	$destination_url =  $_GET['destination_url'] ?? '';
+	$sec             =  $_GET['sec']             ?? '';
+	$dfrn_version    = floatval(($_GET['dfrn_version'] ?? 0.0) ?: 2.0);
 	$quiet           = !empty($_GET['quiet']);
 
 	$direction = -1;
diff --git a/mod/dfrn_request.php b/mod/dfrn_request.php
index f78da7fb04..f37064573b 100644
--- a/mod/dfrn_request.php
+++ b/mod/dfrn_request.php
@@ -80,7 +80,7 @@ function dfrn_request_post(App $a)
 		if (local_user() && ($a->user['nickname'] == $a->argv[1]) && !empty($_POST['dfrn_url'])) {
 			$dfrn_url    = Strings::escapeTags(trim($_POST['dfrn_url']));
 			$aes_allow   = !empty($_POST['aes_allow']);
-			$confirm_key = defaults($_POST, 'confirm_key', "");
+			$confirm_key = $_POST['confirm_key'] ?? '';
 			$hidden      = (!empty($_POST['hidden-contact']) ? intval($_POST['hidden-contact']) : 0);
 			$contact_record = null;
 			$blocked     = 1;
@@ -169,7 +169,7 @@ function dfrn_request_post(App $a)
 				$r = q("SELECT `id`, `network` FROM `contact` WHERE `uid` = %d AND `url` = '%s' AND `site-pubkey` = '%s' LIMIT 1",
 					intval(local_user()),
 					DBA::escape($dfrn_url),
-					defaults($parms, 'key', '') // Potentially missing
+					$parms['key'] ?? '' // Potentially missing
 				);
 				if (DBA::isResult($r)) {
 					Group::addMember(User::getDefaultGroup(local_user(), $r[0]["network"]), $r[0]['id']);
@@ -423,7 +423,7 @@ function dfrn_request_post(App $a)
 					intval($uid),
 					intval($contact_record['id']),
 					intval(!empty($_POST['knowyou'])),
-					DBA::escape(Strings::escapeTags(trim(defaults($_POST, 'dfrn-request-message', '')))),
+					DBA::escape(Strings::escapeTags(trim($_POST['dfrn-request-message'] ?? ''))),
 					DBA::escape($hash),
 					DBA::escape(DateTimeFormat::utcNow())
 				);
@@ -499,7 +499,7 @@ function dfrn_request_content(App $a)
 
 		$dfrn_url = Strings::escapeTags(trim(hex2bin($_GET['dfrn_url'])));
 		$aes_allow = !empty($_GET['aes_allow']);
-		$confirm_key = defaults($_GET, 'confirm_key', "");
+		$confirm_key = $_GET['confirm_key'] ?? '';
 
 		// Checking fastlane for validity
 		if (!empty($_SESSION['fastlane']) && (Strings::normaliseLink($_SESSION["fastlane"]) == Strings::normaliseLink($dfrn_url))) {
diff --git a/mod/display.php b/mod/display.php
index 8513788dfc..12fa8d7ece 100644
--- a/mod/display.php
+++ b/mod/display.php
@@ -276,8 +276,8 @@ function display_content(App $a, $update = false, $update_uid = 0)
 	if (isset($item_parent_uri)) {
 		$parent = Item::selectFirst(['uid'], ['uri' => $item_parent_uri, 'wall' => true]);
 		if (DBA::isResult($parent)) {
-			$a->profile['uid'] = defaults($a->profile, 'uid', $parent['uid']);
-			$a->profile['profile_uid'] = defaults($a->profile, 'profile_uid', $parent['uid']);
+			$a->profile['uid'] = ($a->profile['uid'] ?? 0) ?: $parent['uid'];
+			$a->profile['profile_uid'] = ($a->profile['profile_uid'] ?? 0) ?: $parent['uid'];
 			$is_remote_contact = Session::getRemoteContactID($a->profile['profile_uid']);
 			if ($is_remote_contact) {
 				$item_uid = $parent['uid'];
diff --git a/mod/events.php b/mod/events.php
index 82257a8481..649a25ab1b 100644
--- a/mod/events.php
+++ b/mod/events.php
@@ -59,11 +59,11 @@ function events_post(App $a)
 	$cid = !empty($_POST['cid']) ? intval($_POST['cid']) : 0;
 	$uid = local_user();
 
-	$start_text  = Strings::escapeHtml(defaults($_REQUEST, 'start_text', ''));
-	$finish_text = Strings::escapeHtml(defaults($_REQUEST, 'finish_text', ''));
+	$start_text  = Strings::escapeHtml($_REQUEST['start_text'] ?? '');
+	$finish_text = Strings::escapeHtml($_REQUEST['finish_text'] ?? '');
 
-	$adjust   = intval(defaults($_POST, 'adjust', 0));
-	$nofinish = intval(defaults($_POST, 'nofinish', 0));
+	$adjust   = intval($_POST['adjust'] ?? 0);
+	$nofinish = intval($_POST['nofinish'] ?? 0);
 
 	// The default setting for the `private` field in event_store() is false, so mirror that
 	$private_event = false;
@@ -96,9 +96,9 @@ function events_post(App $a)
 	// and we'll waste a bunch of time responding to it. Time that
 	// could've been spent doing something else.
 
-	$summary  = trim(defaults($_POST, 'summary' , ''));
-	$desc     = trim(defaults($_POST, 'desc'    , ''));
-	$location = trim(defaults($_POST, 'location', ''));
+	$summary  = trim($_POST['summary']  ?? '');
+	$desc     = trim($_POST['desc']     ?? '');
+	$location = trim($_POST['location'] ?? '');
 	$type     = 'event';
 
 	$params = [
@@ -132,7 +132,7 @@ function events_post(App $a)
 		$a->internalRedirect($onerror_path);
 	}
 
-	$share = intval(defaults($_POST, 'share', 0));
+	$share = intval($_POST['share'] ?? 0);
 
 	$c = q("SELECT `id` FROM `contact` WHERE `uid` = %d AND `self` LIMIT 1",
 		intval(local_user())
@@ -146,10 +146,10 @@ function events_post(App $a)
 
 
 	if ($share) {
-		$str_group_allow   = perms2str(defaults($_POST, 'group_allow'  , ''));
-		$str_contact_allow = perms2str(defaults($_POST, 'contact_allow', ''));
-		$str_group_deny    = perms2str(defaults($_POST, 'group_deny'   , ''));
-		$str_contact_deny  = perms2str(defaults($_POST, 'contact_deny' , ''));
+		$str_group_allow   = perms2str($_POST['group_allow']   ?? '');
+		$str_contact_allow = perms2str($_POST['contact_allow'] ?? '');
+		$str_group_deny    = perms2str($_POST['group_deny']    ?? '');
+		$str_contact_deny  = perms2str($_POST['contact_deny']  ?? '');
 
 		// Undo the pseudo-contact of self, since there are real contacts now
 		if (strpos($str_contact_allow, '<' . $self . '>') !== false) {
diff --git a/mod/fbrowser.php b/mod/fbrowser.php
index f2bccb085a..102d0c613d 100644
--- a/mod/fbrowser.php
+++ b/mod/fbrowser.php
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ function fbrowser_content(App $a)
 	}
 
 	// Needed to match the correct template in a module that uses a different theme than the user/site/default
-	$theme = Strings::sanitizeFilePathItem(defaults($_GET, 'theme', null));
+	$theme = Strings::sanitizeFilePathItem($_GET['theme'] ?? null);
 	if ($theme && is_file("view/theme/$theme/config.php")) {
 		$a->setCurrentTheme($theme);
 	}
diff --git a/mod/follow.php b/mod/follow.php
index c7a96f734f..31b92aa0dc 100644
--- a/mod/follow.php
+++ b/mod/follow.php
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ function follow_content(App $a)
 	$uid = local_user();
 
 	// Issue 4815: Silently removing a prefixing @
-	$url = ltrim(Strings::escapeTags(trim(defaults($_REQUEST, 'url', ''))), '@!');
+	$url = ltrim(Strings::escapeTags(trim($_REQUEST['url'] ?? '')), '@!');
 
 	// Issue 6874: Allow remote following from Peertube
 	if (strpos($url, 'acct:') === 0) {
diff --git a/mod/fsuggest.php b/mod/fsuggest.php
index 2bddf48133..d41363ad7b 100644
--- a/mod/fsuggest.php
+++ b/mod/fsuggest.php
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ function fsuggest_post(App $a)
 		return;
 	}
 
-	$note = Strings::escapeHtml(trim(defaults($_POST, 'note', '')));
+	$note = Strings::escapeHtml(trim($_POST['note'] ?? ''));
 
 	$fields = ['uid' => local_user(),'cid' => $contact_id, 'name' => $contact['name'],
 		'url' => $contact['url'], 'request' => $contact['request'],
diff --git a/mod/hcard.php b/mod/hcard.php
index ad84e24e54..013619bcba 100644
--- a/mod/hcard.php
+++ b/mod/hcard.php
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@ function hcard_init(App $a)
 	}
 
 	if (!$blocked) {
-		$keywords = defaults($a->profile, 'pub_keywords', '');
+		$keywords = $a->profile['pub_keywords'] ?? '';
 		$keywords = str_replace([',',' ',',,'], [' ',',',','], $keywords);
 		if (strlen($keywords)) {
 			$a->page['htmlhead'] .= '<meta name="keywords" content="' . $keywords . '" />' . "\r\n";
diff --git a/mod/hovercard.php b/mod/hovercard.php
index ca39919636..d5951dbe00 100644
--- a/mod/hovercard.php
+++ b/mod/hovercard.php
@@ -26,8 +26,8 @@ function hovercard_init(App $a)
 
 function hovercard_content()
 {
-	$profileurl = defaults($_REQUEST, 'profileurl', '');
-	$datatype   = defaults($_REQUEST, 'datatype'  , 'json');
+	$profileurl =  $_REQUEST['profileurl'] ?? '';
+	$datatype   = ($_REQUEST['datatype']   ?? '') ?: 'json';
 
 	// Get out if the system doesn't have public access allowed
 	if (intval(Config::get('system', 'block_public'))) {
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ function hovercard_content()
 	if (strpos($profileurl, 'redir/') === 0) {
 		$cid = intval(substr($profileurl, 6));
 		$remote_contact = DBA::selectFirst('contact', ['nurl'], ['id' => $cid]);
-		$profileurl = defaults($remote_contact, 'nurl', '');
+		$profileurl = $remote_contact['nurl'] ?? '';
 	}
 
 	$contact = [];
@@ -97,7 +97,7 @@ function hovercard_content()
 	$profile = [
 		'name'         => $contact['name'],
 		'nick'         => $contact['nick'],
-		'addr'         => defaults($contact, 'addr', $contact['url']),
+		'addr'         => ($contact['addr'] ?? '') ?: $contact['url'],
 		'thumb'        => ProxyUtils::proxifyUrl($contact['thumb'], false, ProxyUtils::SIZE_THUMB),
 		'url'          => Contact::magicLink($contact['url']),
 		'nurl'         => $contact['nurl'], // We additionally store the nurl as identifier
diff --git a/mod/ignored.php b/mod/ignored.php
index 64edf6e151..6e0cf92a65 100644
--- a/mod/ignored.php
+++ b/mod/ignored.php
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ function ignored_init(App $a)
 	}
 
 	// See if we've been passed a return path to redirect to
-	$return_path = defaults($_REQUEST, 'return', '');
+	$return_path = $_REQUEST['return'] ?? '';
 	if ($return_path) {
 		$rand = '_=' . time();
 		if (strpos($return_path, '?')) {
diff --git a/mod/item.php b/mod/item.php
index b1c0355e01..18d8979acf 100644
--- a/mod/item.php
+++ b/mod/item.php
@@ -64,12 +64,12 @@ function item_post(App $a) {
 
 	Logger::log('postvars ' . print_r($_REQUEST, true), Logger::DATA);
 
-	$api_source = defaults($_REQUEST, 'api_source', false);
+	$api_source = $_REQUEST['api_source'] ?? false;
 
 	$message_id = ((!empty($_REQUEST['message_id']) && $api_source) ? strip_tags($_REQUEST['message_id']) : '');
 
-	$return_path = defaults($_REQUEST, 'return', '');
-	$preview = intval(defaults($_REQUEST, 'preview', 0));
+	$return_path = $_REQUEST['return'] ?? '';
+	$preview = intval($_REQUEST['preview'] ?? 0);
 
 	/*
 	 * Check for doubly-submitted posts, and reject duplicates
@@ -86,8 +86,8 @@ function item_post(App $a) {
 	}
 
 	// Is this a reply to something?
-	$toplevel_item_id = intval(defaults($_REQUEST, 'parent', 0));
-	$thr_parent_uri = trim(defaults($_REQUEST, 'parent_uri', ''));
+	$toplevel_item_id = intval($_REQUEST['parent'] ?? 0);
+	$thr_parent_uri = trim($_REQUEST['parent_uri'] ?? '');
 
 	$thread_parent_id = 0;
 	$thread_parent_contact = null;
@@ -98,8 +98,8 @@ function item_post(App $a) {
 	$parent_contact = null;
 
 	$objecttype = null;
-	$profile_uid = defaults($_REQUEST, 'profile_uid', local_user());
-	$posttype = defaults($_REQUEST, 'post_type', Item::PT_ARTICLE);
+	$profile_uid = ($_REQUEST['profile_uid'] ?? 0) ?: local_user();
+	$posttype = ($_REQUEST['post_type'] ?? '') ?: Item::PT_ARTICLE;
 
 	if ($toplevel_item_id || $thr_parent_uri) {
 		if ($toplevel_item_id) {
@@ -138,10 +138,10 @@ function item_post(App $a) {
 		Logger::info('mod_item: item_post parent=' . $toplevel_item_id);
 	}
 
-	$post_id     = intval(defaults($_REQUEST, 'post_id', 0));
-	$app         = strip_tags(defaults($_REQUEST, 'source', ''));
-	$extid       = strip_tags(defaults($_REQUEST, 'extid', ''));
-	$object      = defaults($_REQUEST, 'object', '');
+	$post_id     = intval($_REQUEST['post_id'] ?? 0);
+	$app         = strip_tags($_REQUEST['source'] ?? '');
+	$extid       = strip_tags($_REQUEST['extid'] ?? '');
+	$object      = $_REQUEST['object'] ?? '';
 
 	// Don't use "defaults" here. It would turn 0 to 1
 	if (!isset($_REQUEST['wall'])) {
@@ -194,20 +194,20 @@ function item_post(App $a) {
 	$categories = '';
 	$postopts = '';
 	$emailcc = '';
-	$body = defaults($_REQUEST, 'body', '');
-	$has_attachment = defaults($_REQUEST, 'has_attachment', 0);
+	$body = $_REQUEST['body'] ?? '';
+	$has_attachment = $_REQUEST['has_attachment'] ?? 0;
 
 	// If we have a speparate attachment, we need to add it to the body.
 	if (!empty($has_attachment)) {
-		$attachment_type  = defaults($_REQUEST, 'attachment_type',  '');
-		$attachment_title = defaults($_REQUEST, 'attachment_title', '');
-		$attachment_text  = defaults($_REQUEST, 'attachment_text',  '');
+		$attachment_type  = $_REQUEST['attachment_type'] ??  '';
+		$attachment_title = $_REQUEST['attachment_title'] ?? '';
+		$attachment_text  = $_REQUEST['attachment_text'] ??  '';
 
-		$attachment_url     = hex2bin(defaults($_REQUEST, 'attachment_url',     ''));
-		$attachment_img_src = hex2bin(defaults($_REQUEST, 'attachment_img_src', ''));
+		$attachment_url     = hex2bin($_REQUEST['attachment_url'] ??     '');
+		$attachment_img_src = hex2bin($_REQUEST['attachment_img_src'] ?? '');
 
-		$attachment_img_width  = defaults($_REQUEST, 'attachment_img_width',  0);
-		$attachment_img_height = defaults($_REQUEST, 'attachment_img_height', 0);
+		$attachment_img_width  = $_REQUEST['attachment_img_width'] ??  0;
+		$attachment_img_height = $_REQUEST['attachment_img_height'] ?? 0;
 		$attachment = [
 			'type'   => $attachment_type,
 			'title'  => $attachment_title,
@@ -266,22 +266,22 @@ function item_post(App $a) {
 			$str_contact_deny  = $user['deny_cid'];
 		} else {
 			// use the posted permissions
-			$str_group_allow   = perms2str(defaults($_REQUEST, 'group_allow', ''));
-			$str_contact_allow = perms2str(defaults($_REQUEST, 'contact_allow', ''));
-			$str_group_deny    = perms2str(defaults($_REQUEST, 'group_deny', ''));
-			$str_contact_deny  = perms2str(defaults($_REQUEST, 'contact_deny', ''));
+			$str_group_allow   = perms2str($_REQUEST['group_allow'] ?? '');
+			$str_contact_allow = perms2str($_REQUEST['contact_allow'] ?? '');
+			$str_group_deny    = perms2str($_REQUEST['group_deny'] ?? '');
+			$str_contact_deny  = perms2str($_REQUEST['contact_deny'] ?? '');
 		}
 
-		$title             = Strings::escapeTags(trim(defaults($_REQUEST, 'title'   , '')));
-		$location          = Strings::escapeTags(trim(defaults($_REQUEST, 'location', '')));
-		$coord             = Strings::escapeTags(trim(defaults($_REQUEST, 'coord'   , '')));
-		$verb              = Strings::escapeTags(trim(defaults($_REQUEST, 'verb'    , '')));
-		$emailcc           = Strings::escapeTags(trim(defaults($_REQUEST, 'emailcc' , '')));
+		$title             = Strings::escapeTags(trim($_REQUEST['title']    ?? ''));
+		$location          = Strings::escapeTags(trim($_REQUEST['location'] ?? ''));
+		$coord             = Strings::escapeTags(trim($_REQUEST['coord']    ?? ''));
+		$verb              = Strings::escapeTags(trim($_REQUEST['verb']     ?? ''));
+		$emailcc           = Strings::escapeTags(trim($_REQUEST['emailcc']  ?? ''));
 		$body              = Strings::escapeHtml(trim($body));
-		$network           = Strings::escapeTags(trim(defaults($_REQUEST, 'network' , Protocol::DFRN)));
+		$network           = Strings::escapeTags(trim(($_REQUEST['network']  ?? '') ?: Protocol::DFRN));
 		$guid              = System::createUUID();
 
-		$postopts = defaults($_REQUEST, 'postopts', '');
+		$postopts = $_REQUEST['postopts'] ?? '';
 
 		$private = ((strlen($str_group_allow) || strlen($str_contact_allow) || strlen($str_group_deny) || strlen($str_contact_deny)) ? 1 : 0);
 
@@ -304,7 +304,7 @@ function item_post(App $a) {
 			$wall              = $toplevel_item['wall'];
 		}
 
-		$pubmail_enabled = defaults($_REQUEST, 'pubmail_enable', false) && !$private;
+		$pubmail_enabled = ($_REQUEST['pubmail_enable'] ?? false) && !$private;
 
 		// if using the API, we won't see pubmail_enable - figure out if it should be set
 		if ($api_source && $profile_uid && $profile_uid == local_user() && !$private) {
@@ -332,7 +332,7 @@ function item_post(App $a) {
 
 	// save old and new categories, so we can determine what needs to be deleted from pconfig
 	$categories_old = $categories;
-	$categories = FileTag::listToFile(trim(defaults($_REQUEST, 'category', '')), 'category');
+	$categories = FileTag::listToFile(trim($_REQUEST['category'] ?? ''), 'category');
 	$categories_new = $categories;
 
 	if (!empty($filedas) && is_array($filedas)) {
@@ -1012,7 +1012,7 @@ function handle_tag(&$body, &$inform, &$str_tags, $profile_uid, $tag, $network =
 
 			$profile = $contact["url"];
 			$alias   = $contact["alias"];
-			$newname = defaults($contact, "name", $contact["nick"]);
+			$newname = ($contact["name"] ?? '') ?: $contact["nick"];
 		}
 
 		//if there is an url for this persons profile
diff --git a/mod/match.php b/mod/match.php
index 2b3c7ca525..41346bc89d 100644
--- a/mod/match.php
+++ b/mod/match.php
@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@ function match_content(App $a)
 
 	$msearch = json_decode($msearch_json);
 
-	$start = defaults($_GET, 'start', 0);
+	$start = $_GET['start'] ?? 0;
 	$entries = [];
 	$paginate = '';
 
@@ -92,11 +92,11 @@ function match_content(App $a)
 
 			$entry = [
 				'url'          => Contact::magicLink($profile->url),
-				'itemurl'      => defaults($contact_details, 'addr', $profile->url),
+				'itemurl'      => $contact_details['addr'] ?? $profile->url,
 				'name'         => $profile->name,
-				'details'      => defaults($contact_details, 'location', ''),
-				'tags'         => defaults($contact_details, 'keywords', ''),
-				'about'        => defaults($contact_details, 'about', ''),
+				'details'      => $contact_details['location'] ?? '',
+				'tags'         => $contact_details['keywords'] ?? '',
+				'about'        => $contact_details['about'] ?? '',
 				'account_type' => Contact::getAccountType($contact_details),
 				'thumb'        => ProxyUtils::proxifyUrl($profile->photo, false, ProxyUtils::SIZE_THUMB),
 				'conntxt'      => L10n::t('Connect'),
diff --git a/mod/message.php b/mod/message.php
index fe4429e000..393d5d276b 100644
--- a/mod/message.php
+++ b/mod/message.php
@@ -249,8 +249,8 @@ function message_content(App $a)
 			'$prefill'    => $prefill,
 			'$preid'      => $preid,
 			'$subject'    => L10n::t('Subject:'),
-			'$subjtxt'    => defaults($_REQUEST, 'subject', ''),
-			'$text'       => defaults($_REQUEST, 'body', ''),
+			'$subjtxt'    => $_REQUEST['subject'] ?? '',
+			'$text'       => $_REQUEST['body'] ?? '',
 			'$readonly'   => '',
 			'$yourmessage'=> L10n::t('Your message:'),
 			'$select'     => $select,
@@ -530,7 +530,7 @@ function render_messages(array $msg, $t)
 			'$id' => $rr['id'],
 			'$from_name' => $participants,
 			'$from_url' => Contact::magicLink($rr['url']),
-			'$from_addr' => defaults($contact, 'addr', ''),
+			'$from_addr' => $contact['addr'] ?? '',
 			'$sparkle' => ' sparkle',
 			'$from_photo' => ProxyUtils::proxifyUrl($from_photo, false, ProxyUtils::SIZE_THUMB),
 			'$subject' => $rr['title'],
diff --git a/mod/msearch.php b/mod/msearch.php
index fcb93a32f0..e87a8f522c 100644
--- a/mod/msearch.php
+++ b/mod/msearch.php
@@ -6,9 +6,9 @@ use Friendica\Database\DBA;
 
 function msearch_post(App $a)
 {
-	$search = defaults($_POST, 's', '');
-	$perpage  = intval(defaults($_POST, 'n', 80));
-	$page     = intval(defaults($_POST, 'p', 1));
+	$search = $_POST['s'] ?? '';
+	$perpage  = intval(($_POST['n'] ?? 0) ?: 80);
+	$page     = intval(($_POST['p'] ?? 0) ?: 1);
 	$startrec = ($page - 1) * $perpage;
 
 	$total = 0;
diff --git a/mod/network.php b/mod/network.php
index 515219827a..0438be7059 100644
--- a/mod/network.php
+++ b/mod/network.php
@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@ function network_init(App $a)
 
 	// fetch last used network view and redirect if needed
 	if (!$is_a_date_query) {
-		$sel_nets = defaults($_GET, 'nets', '');
+		$sel_nets = $_GET['nets'] ?? '';
 		$sel_tabs = network_query_get_sel_tab($a);
 		$sel_groups = network_query_get_sel_group($a);
 		$last_sel_tabs = PConfig::get(local_user(), 'network.view', 'tab.selected');
@@ -138,9 +138,9 @@ function network_init(App $a)
 	$a->page['aside'] .= Group::sidebarWidget('network/0', 'network', 'standard', $group_id);
 	$a->page['aside'] .= ForumManager::widget(local_user(), $cid);
 	$a->page['aside'] .= Widget::postedByYear('network', local_user(), false);
-	$a->page['aside'] .= Widget::networks('network', defaults($_GET, 'nets', '') );
+	$a->page['aside'] .= Widget::networks('network', $_GET['nets'] ?? '');
 	$a->page['aside'] .= Widget\SavedSearches::getHTML($a->query_string);
-	$a->page['aside'] .= Widget::fileAs('network', defaults($_GET, 'file', '') );
+	$a->page['aside'] .= Widget::fileAs('network', $_GET['file'] ?? '');
 }
 
 /**
@@ -356,7 +356,7 @@ function networkFlatView(App $a, $update = 0)
 
 	$o = '';
 
-	$file = defaults($_GET, 'file', '');
+	$file = $_GET['file'] ?? '';
 
 	if (!$update && !$rawmode) {
 		$tabs = network_tabs($a);
@@ -479,12 +479,12 @@ function networkThreadedView(App $a, $update, $parent)
 
 	$o = '';
 
-	$cid   = intval(defaults($_GET, 'cid'  , 0));
-	$star  = intval(defaults($_GET, 'star' , 0));
-	$bmark = intval(defaults($_GET, 'bmark', 0));
-	$conv  = intval(defaults($_GET, 'conv' , 0));
-	$order = Strings::escapeTags(defaults($_GET, 'order', 'comment'));
-	$nets  =        defaults($_GET, 'nets' , '');
+	$cid   = intval($_GET['cid']   ?? 0);
+	$star  = intval($_GET['star']  ?? 0);
+	$bmark = intval($_GET['bmark'] ?? 0);
+	$conv  = intval($_GET['conv']  ?? 0);
+	$order = Strings::escapeTags(($_GET['order'] ?? '') ?: 'comment');
+	$nets  =        $_GET['nets']  ?? '';
 
 	$allowedCids = [];
 	if ($cid) {
@@ -623,7 +623,7 @@ function networkThreadedView(App $a, $update, $parent)
 			$entries[0] = [
 				'id' => 'network',
 				'name' => $contact['name'],
-				'itemurl' => defaults($contact, 'addr', $contact['nurl']),
+				'itemurl' => ($contact['addr'] ?? '') ?: $contact['nurl'],
 				'thumb' => ProxyUtils::proxifyUrl($contact['thumb'], false, ProxyUtils::SIZE_THUMB),
 				'details' => $contact['location'],
 			];
@@ -1013,7 +1013,7 @@ function network_infinite_scroll_head(App $a, &$htmlhead)
 	global $pager;
 
 	if (PConfig::get(local_user(), 'system', 'infinite_scroll')
-		&& defaults($_GET, 'mode', '') != 'minimal'
+		&& ($_GET['mode'] ?? '') != 'minimal'
 	) {
 		$tpl = Renderer::getMarkupTemplate('infinite_scroll_head.tpl');
 		$htmlhead .= Renderer::replaceMacros($tpl, [
diff --git a/mod/noscrape.php b/mod/noscrape.php
index 5761df3ff9..7b8c0bdeb1 100644
--- a/mod/noscrape.php
+++ b/mod/noscrape.php
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ function noscrape_init(App $a)
 		exit;
 	}
 
-	$keywords = defaults($a->profile, 'pub_keywords', '');
+	$keywords = $a->profile['pub_keywords'] ?? '';
 	$keywords = str_replace(['#',',',' ',',,'], ['',' ',',',','], $keywords);
 	$keywords = explode(',', $keywords);
 
diff --git a/mod/notifications.php b/mod/notifications.php
index cd572895f1..8fbc5dac49 100644
--- a/mod/notifications.php
+++ b/mod/notifications.php
@@ -78,8 +78,8 @@ function notifications_content(App $a)
 		return Login::form();
 	}
 
-	$page = defaults($_REQUEST, 'page', 1);
-	$show = defaults($_REQUEST, 'show', 0);
+	$page = ($_REQUEST['page'] ?? 0) ?: 1;
+	$show =  $_REQUEST['show'] ?? 0;
 
 	Nav::setSelected('notifications');
 
@@ -158,7 +158,7 @@ function notifications_content(App $a)
 	];
 
 	// Process the data for template creation
-	if (defaults($notifs, 'ident', '') === 'introductions') {
+	if (($notifs['ident'] ?? '') == 'introductions') {
 		$sugg = Renderer::getMarkupTemplate('suggestions.tpl');
 		$tpl = Renderer::getMarkupTemplate('intros.tpl');
 
diff --git a/mod/photos.php b/mod/photos.php
index 84be1c8285..1789c0710e 100644
--- a/mod/photos.php
+++ b/mod/photos.php
@@ -63,9 +63,9 @@ function photos_init(App $a) {
 		$vcard_widget = Renderer::replaceMacros($tpl, [
 			'$name' => $profile['name'],
 			'$photo' => $profile['photo'],
-			'$addr' => defaults($profile, 'addr', ''),
+			'$addr' => $profile['addr'] ?? '',
 			'$account_type' => $account_type,
-			'$pdesc' => defaults($profile, 'pdesc', ''),
+			'$pdesc' => $profile['pdesc'] ?? '',
 		]);
 
 		$albums = Photo::getAlbums($a->data['user']['uid']);
@@ -630,10 +630,10 @@ function photos_post(App $a)
 		$visible = 0;
 	}
 
-	$group_allow   = defaults($_REQUEST, 'group_allow'  , []);
-	$contact_allow = defaults($_REQUEST, 'contact_allow', []);
-	$group_deny    = defaults($_REQUEST, 'group_deny'   , []);
-	$contact_deny  = defaults($_REQUEST, 'contact_deny' , []);
+	$group_allow   = $_REQUEST['group_allow']   ?? [];
+	$contact_allow = $_REQUEST['contact_allow'] ?? [];
+	$group_deny    = $_REQUEST['group_deny']    ?? [];
+	$contact_deny  = $_REQUEST['contact_deny']  ?? [];
 
 	$str_group_allow   = perms2str(is_array($group_allow)   ? $group_allow   : explode(',', $group_allow));
 	$str_contact_allow = perms2str(is_array($contact_allow) ? $contact_allow : explode(',', $contact_allow));
@@ -666,7 +666,7 @@ function photos_post(App $a)
 				notice(L10n::t('Image exceeds size limit of %s', ini_get('upload_max_filesize')) . EOL);
 				break;
 			case UPLOAD_ERR_FORM_SIZE:
-				notice(L10n::t('Image exceeds size limit of %s', Strings::formatBytes(defaults($_REQUEST, 'MAX_FILE_SIZE', 0))) . EOL);
+				notice(L10n::t('Image exceeds size limit of %s', Strings::formatBytes($_REQUEST['MAX_FILE_SIZE'] ?? 0)) . EOL);
 				break;
 			case UPLOAD_ERR_PARTIAL:
 				notice(L10n::t('Image upload didn\'t complete, please try again') . EOL);
@@ -1006,7 +1006,7 @@ function photos_content(App $a)
 		$pager = new Pager($a->query_string, 20);
 
 		/// @TODO I have seen this many times, maybe generalize it script-wide and encapsulate it?
-		$order_field = defaults($_GET, 'order', '');
+		$order_field = $_GET['order'] ?? '';
 		if ($order_field === 'posted') {
 			$order = 'ASC';
 		} else {
@@ -1158,7 +1158,7 @@ function photos_content(App $a)
 		 * By now we hide it if someone wants to.
 		 */
 		if ($cmd === 'view' && !Config::get('system', 'no_count', false)) {
-			$order_field = defaults($_GET, 'order', '');
+			$order_field = $_GET['order'] ?? '';
 
 			if ($order_field === 'posted') {
 				$order = 'ASC';
diff --git a/mod/poco.php b/mod/poco.php
index c288f6b639..2ed871285b 100644
--- a/mod/poco.php
+++ b/mod/poco.php
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ function poco_init(App $a) {
 		$system_mode = true;
 	}
 
-	$format = defaults($_GET, 'format', 'json');
+	$format = ($_GET['format'] ?? '') ?: 'json';
 
 	$justme = false;
 	$global = false;
diff --git a/mod/pubsub.php b/mod/pubsub.php
index d10d7031d6..c008fb09da 100644
--- a/mod/pubsub.php
+++ b/mod/pubsub.php
@@ -33,10 +33,10 @@ function pubsub_init(App $a)
 	$contact_id = (($a->argc > 2) ? intval($a->argv[2])       : 0 );
 
 	if ($_SERVER['REQUEST_METHOD'] === 'GET') {
-		$hub_mode      = Strings::escapeTags(trim(defaults($_GET, 'hub_mode', '')));
-		$hub_topic     = Strings::escapeTags(trim(defaults($_GET, 'hub_topic', '')));
-		$hub_challenge = Strings::escapeTags(trim(defaults($_GET, 'hub_challenge', '')));
-		$hub_verify    = Strings::escapeTags(trim(defaults($_GET, 'hub_verify_token', '')));
+		$hub_mode      = Strings::escapeTags(trim($_GET['hub_mode'] ?? ''));
+		$hub_topic     = Strings::escapeTags(trim($_GET['hub_topic'] ?? ''));
+		$hub_challenge = Strings::escapeTags(trim($_GET['hub_challenge'] ?? ''));
+		$hub_verify    = Strings::escapeTags(trim($_GET['hub_verify_token'] ?? ''));
 
 		Logger::log('Subscription from ' . $_SERVER['REMOTE_ADDR'] . ' Mode: ' . $hub_mode . ' Nick: ' . $nick);
 		Logger::log('Data: ' . print_r($_GET,true), Logger::DATA);
diff --git a/mod/redir.php b/mod/redir.php
index 12d93186e2..9d86f27a96 100644
--- a/mod/redir.php
+++ b/mod/redir.php
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ use Friendica\Util\Strings;
 
 function redir_init(App $a) {
 
-	$url = defaults($_GET, 'url', '');
+	$url = $_GET['url'] ?? '';
 	$quiet = !empty($_GET['quiet']) ? '&quiet=1' : '';
 
 	if ($a->argc > 1 && intval($a->argv[1])) {
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ function redir_init(App $a) {
 		if (!Session::isAuthenticated() // Visitors (not logged in or not remotes) can't authenticate.
 			|| (!empty($a->contact['id']) && $a->contact['id'] == $cid)) // Local user is already authenticated.
 		{
-			$a->redirect(defaults($url, $contact_url));
+			$a->redirect($url ?: $contact_url);
 		}
 
 		if ($contact['uid'] == 0 && local_user()) {
@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ function redir_init(App $a) {
 
 			if (!empty($a->contact['id']) && $a->contact['id'] == $cid) {
 				// Local user is already authenticated.
-				$target_url = defaults($url, $contact_url);
+				$target_url = $url ?: $contact_url;
 				Logger::log($contact['name'] . " is already authenticated. Redirecting to " . $target_url, Logger::DEBUG);
 				$a->redirect($target_url);
 			}
@@ -68,7 +68,7 @@ function redir_init(App $a) {
 			// contact.
 			if (($host == $remotehost) && (Session::getRemoteContactID(Session::get('visitor_visiting')) == Session::get('visitor_id'))) {
 				// Remote user is already authenticated.
-				$target_url = defaults($url, $contact_url);
+				$target_url = $url ?: $contact_url;
 				Logger::log($contact['name'] . " is already authenticated. Redirecting to " . $target_url, Logger::DEBUG);
 				$a->redirect($target_url);
 			}
@@ -101,7 +101,7 @@ function redir_init(App $a) {
 				. '&dfrn_version=' . DFRN_PROTOCOL_VERSION . '&type=profile&sec=' . $sec . $dest . $quiet);
 		}
 
-		$url = defaults($url, $contact_url);
+		$url = $url ?: $contact_url;
 	}
 
 	// If we don't have a connected contact, redirect with
@@ -142,7 +142,7 @@ function redir_magic($a, $cid, $url)
 		}
 	} else {
 		$contact_url = $contact['url'];
-		$target_url = defaults($url, $contact_url);
+		$target_url = $url ?: $contact_url;
 	}
 
 	$basepath = Contact::getBasepath($contact_url);
diff --git a/mod/regmod.php b/mod/regmod.php
index 6cf4c8836c..295d8df25f 100644
--- a/mod/regmod.php
+++ b/mod/regmod.php
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ function user_allow($hash)
 		$user,
 		Config::get('config', 'sitename'),
 		$a->getBaseUrl(),
-		defaults($register, 'password', 'Sent in a previous email')
+		($register['password'] ?? '') ?: 'Sent in a previous email'
 	);
 
 	L10n::popLang();
diff --git a/mod/settings.php b/mod/settings.php
index 0d519e5a07..b5011881cb 100644
--- a/mod/settings.php
+++ b/mod/settings.php
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ function get_theme_config_file($theme)
 	$theme = Strings::sanitizeFilePathItem($theme);
 
 	$a = \get_app();
-	$base_theme = defaults($a->theme_info, 'extends');
+	$base_theme = $a->theme_info['extends'] ?? '';
 
 	if (file_exists("view/theme/$theme/config.php")) {
 		return "view/theme/$theme/config.php";
@@ -180,11 +180,11 @@ function settings_post(App $a)
 	if (($a->argc > 2) && ($a->argv[1] === 'oauth')  && ($a->argv[2] === 'edit'||($a->argv[2] === 'add')) && !empty($_POST['submit'])) {
 		BaseModule::checkFormSecurityTokenRedirectOnError('/settings/oauth', 'settings_oauth');
 
-		$name     = defaults($_POST, 'name'    , '');
-		$key      = defaults($_POST, 'key'     , '');
-		$secret   = defaults($_POST, 'secret'  , '');
-		$redirect = defaults($_POST, 'redirect', '');
-		$icon     = defaults($_POST, 'icon'    , '');
+		$name     = $_POST['name']     ?? '';
+		$key      = $_POST['key']      ?? '';
+		$secret   = $_POST['secret']   ?? '';
+		$redirect = $_POST['redirect'] ?? '';
+		$icon     = $_POST['icon']     ?? '';
 
 		if ($name == "" || $key == "" || $secret == "") {
 			notice(L10n::t("Missing some important data!"));
@@ -241,24 +241,21 @@ function settings_post(App $a)
 			PConfig::set(local_user(), 'ostatus', 'default_group', $_POST['group-selection']);
 			PConfig::set(local_user(), 'ostatus', 'legacy_contact', $_POST['legacy_contact']);
 		} elseif (!empty($_POST['imap-submit'])) {
+			$mail_server       =                 $_POST['mail_server']       ?? '';
+			$mail_port         =                 $_POST['mail_port']         ?? '';
+			$mail_ssl          = strtolower(trim($_POST['mail_ssl']          ?? ''));
+			$mail_user         =                 $_POST['mail_user']         ?? '';
+			$mail_pass         =            trim($_POST['mail_pass']         ?? '');
+			$mail_action       =            trim($_POST['mail_action']       ?? '');
+			$mail_movetofolder =            trim($_POST['mail_movetofolder'] ?? '');
+			$mail_replyto      =                 $_POST['mail_replyto']      ?? '';
+			$mail_pubmail      =                 $_POST['mail_pubmail']      ?? '';
 
-			$mail_server       = defaults($_POST, 'mail_server', '');
-			$mail_port         = defaults($_POST, 'mail_port', '');
-			$mail_ssl          = (!empty($_POST['mail_ssl']) ? strtolower(trim($_POST['mail_ssl'])) : '');
-			$mail_user         = defaults($_POST, 'mail_user', '');
-			$mail_pass         = (!empty($_POST['mail_pass']) ? trim($_POST['mail_pass']) : '');
-			$mail_action       = (!empty($_POST['mail_action']) ? trim($_POST['mail_action']) : '');
-			$mail_movetofolder = (!empty($_POST['mail_movetofolder']) ? trim($_POST['mail_movetofolder']) : '');
-			$mail_replyto      = defaults($_POST, 'mail_replyto', '');
-			$mail_pubmail      = defaults($_POST, 'mail_pubmail', '');
-
-
-			$mail_disabled = ((function_exists('imap_open') && (!Config::get('system', 'imap_disabled'))) ? 0 : 1);
-			if (Config::get('system', 'dfrn_only')) {
-				$mail_disabled = 1;
-			}
-
-			if (!$mail_disabled) {
+			if (
+				!Config::get('system', 'dfrn_only')
+				&& function_exists('imap_open')
+				&& !Config::get('system', 'imap_disabled')
+			) {
 				$failed = false;
 				$r = q("SELECT * FROM `mailacct` WHERE `uid` = %d LIMIT 1",
 					intval(local_user())
diff --git a/mod/tagrm.php b/mod/tagrm.php
index f6f2a9a29e..3f091f298a 100644
--- a/mod/tagrm.php
+++ b/mod/tagrm.php
@@ -22,11 +22,11 @@ function tagrm_post(App $a)
 	}
 
 	$tags = [];
-	foreach (defaults($_POST, 'tag', []) as $tag) {
+	foreach ($_POST['tag'] ?? [] as $tag) {
 		$tags[] = hex2bin(Strings::escapeTags(trim($tag)));
 	}
 
-	$item_id = defaults($_POST,'item', 0);
+	$item_id = $_POST['item'] ?? 0;
 	update_tags($item_id, $tags);
 	info(L10n::t('Tag(s) removed') . EOL);
 
diff --git a/mod/unfollow.php b/mod/unfollow.php
index a66c88aefd..7afd82c98a 100644
--- a/mod/unfollow.php
+++ b/mod/unfollow.php
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ function unfollow_post(App $a)
 	}
 
 	$uid = local_user();
-	$url = Strings::escapeTags(trim(defaults($_REQUEST, 'url', '')));
+	$url = Strings::escapeTags(trim($_REQUEST['url'] ?? ''));
 
 	$condition = ["`uid` = ? AND (`rel` = ? OR `rel` = ?) AND (`nurl` = ? OR `alias` = ? OR `alias` = ?)",
 		$uid, Contact::SHARING, Contact::FRIEND, Strings::normaliseLink($url),
diff --git a/mod/videos.php b/mod/videos.php
index 48027a603e..4174c7f48a 100644
--- a/mod/videos.php
+++ b/mod/videos.php
@@ -51,9 +51,9 @@ function videos_init(App $a)
 		$vcard_widget = Renderer::replaceMacros($tpl, [
 			'$name' => $profile['name'],
 			'$photo' => $profile['photo'],
-			'$addr' => defaults($profile, 'addr', ''),
+			'$addr' => $profile['addr'] ?? '',
 			'$account_type' => $account_type,
-			'$pdesc' => defaults($profile, 'pdesc', ''),
+			'$pdesc' => $profile['pdesc'] ?? '',
 		]);
 
 		// If not there, create 'aside' empty
diff --git a/mod/wallmessage.php b/mod/wallmessage.php
index 780230b8c7..ad8ca96675 100644
--- a/mod/wallmessage.php
+++ b/mod/wallmessage.php
@@ -131,8 +131,8 @@ function wallmessage_content(App $a) {
 		'$subject'    => L10n::t('Subject:'),
 		'$recipname'  => $user['username'],
 		'$nickname'   => $user['nickname'],
-		'$subjtxt'    => defaults($_REQUEST, 'subject', ''),
-		'$text'       => defaults($_REQUEST, 'body', ''),
+		'$subjtxt'    => $_REQUEST['subject'] ?? '',
+		'$text'       => $_REQUEST['body'] ?? '',
 		'$readonly'   => '',
 		'$yourmessage'=> L10n::t('Your message:'),
 		'$parent'     => '',