A process that started roughly a year ago with just changing browser and search engine, now feeling that I got somewhere. The journey ended up being more than just degoogle, but also demetaing and taking more control over my data and privacy.
Before and after picture with notes:
Chrome -> Zen browser (Firefox on iOS)
Google -> Qwant
Gmail -> Proton Mail
NordVPN -> Proton VPN (I don’t use VPN very often, but have NordVPN through another subscription, now replaced with Proton across my devices)
Google Drive / Photos -> Proton Drive
Google Password Manager -> Proton Pass
Google Authenticator -> Proton Pass / Ente (Ente Auth is only used to store my 2FA keys for the Proton account, other keys are stored in Proton Pass)
Google Translator -> DeepL
YouTube -> FreeTube (Unwatched on iOS)
Google Maps -> Magic Earth (OSM on desktop)
WhatsApp -> Signal
Notion -> Anytype
Keep / Notes -> Notesnook
X -> Mastodon / Bluesky
Reddit -> Lemmy (Voyager on iOS, dreaming of an eventual complete migration)
Instagram -> Pixelfed
Facebook -> stopped using
Windows 11 -> Ubuntu (Only personal laptop, work laptop still windows)
Very good. Next step should be the iPhone
A linux phone is on my list, Jolla or similar. One battle at a time.
I recommed Pixel phones with GrapheneOS or any Lineage OS supporting device. Linux phones are good but I dont personally think they are reliable as smartphone.
Maybe not, but buying them will improve future Linux phones.
Buying a google phone just feels dirty, all this talk about privacy and foss but then still filling Google’s pocket is something we need to move away from as privacy/foss enthusiasts.
Actually, you are right. But IMO, only donating is better for Linux phones. Sailfish OS from Jolla has some problems according to people bought the phone. And other companies are not enough now. Its better not to use smartphone nowadays.
I’d wish, but I my country u have official goverment ID apps that you need for taxes and stuff. Banking, work and school all often require phones. Not using a smartphone is just not feasible for many people, so might as well encourage alt phones like Linux
In Türkiye, we have same things too. My solution is to have a phone ONLY for that actions. No any other apps. Happy with it.
Yeh, I’ve got a second hand iPhone at the minute, but swapping shitty big tech for shitty big tech feels stupid.
Yeah, Linux phones might not be ready yet and it will mean compromises and workarounds. Will be following closely the development of not Google not Apple phones, before pulling the trigger.
Apart from GrapheneOS, all other android ROMs are less degoogled than you think, as confirmed by many security researchers. For less techy people the order to degoogle is:
Yes, Custom ROMs as OOTB may not be enough. But with root privileges, hardening and debloating solutions, it can be better than iPhones and other options. iPhone will be less “Googled” because it is not Google’s product, but Android is a Google product. So it is possible to label Android as completely “Googled”. However, if we talk about privacy concerns, there are Google services within Android that we can categorize as core and malicious. We can remove the harmful ones as needed, but the iPhone remains a privacy nightmare no matter how few Google products it has. I don’t think the only criterion that defines a secure and private phone is how deGoogled it is. My personal decision is to use any free custom ROM with hardening and debloating.
Apple is a horrible company, for privacy and otherwise, and should be avoided at all costs. And their OS isn’t open source, why trust it?
I might be expressed myself wrong. Because of my poor English😅 I mean, the last step to change is the iPhone. To the Android alternatives with custom OS. Especially Google Pixel phones with GrapheneOS.
Ohhh, I didn’t notice that’s an iPhone. Thanks for the explanation, your English is fine, I’m just a bit silly :3
How ironic that the ultimate degoogling involves buying a Google Pixel phone! I’d rather go Fairphone with LineageOS.