A Dutch individual conducted a month-long experiment to minimize their reliance on major tech companies like Google, Meta, Amazon, Apple, and Microsoft, encountering both challenges and valuable insights into alternative technologies and the importance of digital autonomy.
The experiment involved replacing commonly used services and products with alternatives that prioritize privacy, user control, and open-source principles. This included switching to Signal for messaging, ProtonMail for email, Linux Mint as an operating system, and Nextcloud for cloud storage.
The participant faced initial resistance and skepticism from some colleagues and friends, who questioned the feasibility and value of the experiment. Challenges included the incompatibility of certain work-related systems with alternative software and the inconvenience of transitioning to new platforms. For example, the individual found that their employer’s content management system only worked well with Google Chrome. They had to write articles in a separate online word processor where colleagues would then copy and paste the text into the system on their behalf.
Despite these difficulties, the participant discovered a thriving community of users and developers dedicated to creating and supporting alternative technologies. Online forums and resources provided guidance and support in finding suitable replacements for big tech products. They identified OpenStreetMap as a replacement for Google Maps and Collabora Online, which worked better than other alternatives, as a Google Docs replacement.
The experiment also highlighted the pervasiveness of big tech infrastructure, as the individual realized that many popular websites and services rely on Amazon Web Services. Despite this limitation, they focused on replacing as many other big tech elements of their digital life as possible.
A key takeaway was the importance of digital autonomy and the ability to control one’s data and privacy. The participant opted for services like The Good Cloud, a Dutch cloud storage provider that allowed them to choose where their files were stored, addressing concerns about the accessibility of data stored with US-based companies under the Cloud Act.
The use of a Fairphone with the /e/OS operating system further emphasized the importance of privacy and repairability. The /e/OS operating system blocked a significant number of trackers, revealing the extent to which personal data is collected and shared by apps. The Fairphone’s modular design also granted the “right to repair,” offering an alternative to the planned obsolescence promoted by some big tech companies.
After the experiment, the individual found it difficult to return to the dominant tech ecosystem. Although they resumed using some big tech services for practical reasons, such as WhatsApp for communicating with certain contacts, they remained committed to using privacy-focused alternatives whenever possible.
The experiment concluded that it is possible to reduce reliance on big tech and embrace a more privacy-conscious and user-centric approach to technology. While complete disengagement may not be feasible for everyone, the individual’s experience demonstrated the availability of viable alternatives and the value of reclaiming control over one’s digital life.