cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/26584999
I’ve decided to make some significant changes in my digital life. I’ve taken the plunge and am rooting out most US-based services from my usage list. This includes canceling all my streaming subscriptions, putting my Reddit account in cold storage, and deleting my Twitter accounts. Additionally, I’m in the process of removing my presence from Meta platforms. This shift is part of my effort to simplify and re-evaluate my online habits and dependencies.
One of the primary reasons for this change is the importance of bolstering the EU economy. By supporting European companies and services, I believe we can foster innovation and growth within our own region. This not only strengthens our economic independence but also encourages the development of solutions tailored to our specific needs and values.
In my exploration of EU-based alternatives, I’ve found that while they may be slightly more expensive, they often offer superior technology and usability. The focus on quality, privacy, and user experience in many European products aligns with my personal values and expectations. By investing in these solutions, I’m not only supporting local businesses but also benefiting from advanced and reliable services.
This transition is about more than just personal preference; it’s about contributing to a stronger, more self-sufficient European digital landscape. I’m excited to continue discovering and integrating more EU-based services into my daily life.
Despite the costs and effort needed to make this change, I would like to encourage and motivate everyone else considering doing the same. It will undoubtedly be tough for a while, but if we push forward together, it will be better for all of us in the end. Let’s support each other in this journey towards a more independent and innovative digital future.
Brave and Firefox shouldn’t really be there when there are European alternatives like Vivaldi.
Never used Vivaldi before, how is it? I mainly use Brave on mobile and Firefox on desktop because it automatically blocks YouTube ads and I can watch videos PIP. That’s the only reason I haven’t made the switch yet.
I’m a slower burn, deciding to move one account at a time to limit the fatigue.
Today was reddit as I noticed it was still my default to open that before Lemmy
It’s been such a process for me. And then the double and triple checking that I won’t lock myself out of something that I’ve connected to through Google or Apple.
I went through my google authenticator a few times just to make sure all the 2FA had been switched over to Proton.
In the last few weeks, I’ve deleted Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Amazon, PayPal, Switch, Reddit, Prime, and iCloud.
Replaced my iPhone with Samsung and de-googled as much as possible. Using Aurora store and 3rd party apps for all the basics. Proton for email, password manager, VPN, etc. Qwant/Vivaldi browsers and search, Here We Go maps.
I replaced pretty much all streaming services with a Plex/Overseer server. Today is the day I delete my Apple account. Goodbye Tim Apple!
I still have my Google account for YouTube access. I’m not sure yet how I can replace it. I noticed that a lot of channels are available in video format on Spotify now, but maybe only like 30% of the stuff I watch.
Wow, you’re smashing it.
My plan is to do the easy stuff to warm up and then try to attack the stuff I’m spending actual money on. The biggies for me will be android and anything my wife has shared interest in such as Sky (aka Comcast). I’m in a long contract with them so time to work on her.
I moved my pension by coincidence from a US money manager to a UK platform, and am totally out of US stocks where I had close to $1m (largely because I’m old and dull) in US tech half a year back.
I do still need to sell my iShares and move over to BMO.
I also deleted my account with Microsoft and Nvidia, so that’s Gamepass and GeForce out the window. Boosteroid is an EU alternative cloud gaming platform, which I believe is available in Canada. The only issue I have is that the available games all seem to require Steam. If it’s not available on PSN, Nintendo, GoG, or physically; I’m not buying it.
I feel like I might have made a mistake moving from iPhone to Samsung/Android. I went with the Samsung Flip 6, and I’m not sure if I can switch OS. I have turned off and replaced all Google services, but i believe they are still lurking in the background. I’m not sure what else I can do.
I would love to know if there’s an alternative to Mastercard or Visa.
It’s a real challenge when I use Boost for both. But I quickly catch on when I notice the post quality going to shit.
Congrats!
How can I move from WhatsApp to any other messaging app, if people I chat with don’t use any other app than WhatsApp? Serious question. I would love to ditch WhatsApp, but it seems like impossible task.
We need some laws that make companies expose messaging apps APIs so that a third party open source app that talks to all the different messaging services can finally emerge.
Tired of apps. I want more protocols. Fuck ‘facebook messenger’ it’s just a protocol with a GUI, gimme your protocol.
Yes, that would be awesome.
Why not suggest Aptoide as an app store?
BlueSky is US-based and not really decentralised. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bluesky
Prefer Mastodon and other fediverse services.
I like how they’ve gone straight to piracy for streaming.
As alternative to WhatsApp, there is also ArcaneChat that is more user-friendly for normies: https://arcanechat.me/
Too bad it doesn’t have an iphone download available.
for iOS and desktop you can use Delta Chat which is fully compatible with ArcaneChat
Its just a deltachat client, so can use a different one and still talk with arcanechat users: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/delta-chat/id1459523234
Why not Signal?
because it is a centralized service from US company, registration requires phone numbers so it is easy to know from what country you are, the server is running in Amazon Web Services, etc, while ArcaneChat can be used with your own infrastructure, for total technological sovereignty
I think because they’re located on the US.
I’ve made similar changes…but I’ve stopped recommending these to people. Almost everything here takes plenty of knowhow and setup effort. Good to have a reference like this…but this is not for normies.
Also, Lemmy tends to shoot on sight at the mention of Brave. Lemmy hivemind is close to doing the same with Firefox.
Lemmy tends to shoot on sight at the mention of Brave.
I feel like there are quite a few normie-friendly alternatives out there… But generally speaking, I’ve gotta agree.
However, I do think we could take it upon ourselves to help! It might be hard to set up, but it’s worth it. I say: keep recommending it, but make yourself more available to guide and aid people less knowledgeable than yourself.
If you’re willing, of course.
My mission has been to get people to at least use a password manager like Bitwarden. I’ve been unsuccessful for years and am stuck recovering accounts for everyone. You have to understand just how little normies are willing to do.
…They can’t use a password manager?!
I’ve tried for a couple of years to get people to use one, and I could only get one person to use a password manger. So yeah. It is actually very surprisingly hard to get people to do something that is not only simple, but ignoring the security benefits, it will also improve the quality of their life and makes things easier.
it will also improve the quality of their life and makes things easier.
Will it? Now that is not true, I don’t think. Using Google sign-in for everything is way easier, using the built-in Google password manager on Chrome and android is way easier. No?
I mean, even if you’re using the same password everywhere (which I know some of these people aren’t doing because they’ve forgotten their password for some accounts while not losing access to every single account they have), it’s harder to actually sit and type out a password every single time. Using your default password manager, you don’t really have to think or do anything, just tap once on the screen and maybe authenticate your biometrics, that’s all.
They could learn…but they won’t.
I’ve managed to get my wife to use Bitwarden through brute force, i.e. when I recover any account for her I refuse to let he input a new password without putting it in her Bitwarden first. Only to find out when she changed device that she doesn’t remember her Bitwarden password and only ever used the fingerprint on her phone.
My parents are the other people I provide tech support for. They’d rather just say they’ll ask me to recover their account again rather than use Bitwarden. If I try to force them to use it I have to teach them how to use it again every time (which icon was it? What was my password for this? How do I input the account details you’ve got now?).
My wife and parents don’t remember the password for their main google account on their android and gmail. Any time a password prompt comes up for anything they ask me “so should I put in my Google password here?” 🤦♂️
People at work have realised I’m “techsavy” and ask me stuff. They won’t use Bitwarden either. They’ve all got pieces of paper on their desks with their passwords for secure work systems.
You depress me. I have no comments.
I’m a huge advocate for switching to FOSS, but you’re being disingenuous by portraying it as supporting the EU. You’re boycotting US companies. I do the same for the benefit of privacy, frugality, and, honestly, fun. FOSS isn’t for most people, though.
I have heard that Nextcloud is pretty buggy. Libre Office is a Microsoft Office replacement, which is mainly the function of Nextcloud.
Home Assistant has a pretty steep learning curve, but totally worth it in the end. The voice assistant software is still in its early stages, same with cellphone software.
I love that you’re spreading awareness, but I wanted to warn others. There are many lists of FOSS alternatives out there!
Isn’t Stremio just a torrent client with integrated videoplayer and search? Kind of odd suggesting it as an alternative to legit services. Might get some less knowledgable people bonked with fines.
These people use every opportunity to post about piracy. They think it’s their mission to convert everyone to do piracy. No idea why.
I’ve switched away from google to https://www.infomaniak.com/en/ksuite
1.91 Euro/m for 1 Terabyte of storage, and it’s hosted and operated from Switzerland
Welcome to Lemmy @[email protected]
Thank you!!
Stremio is illegal (piracy). Don’t use it!
Piracy? What the hell that’s so based. I’m gonna use it now
Don’t mind me, just a fed up US citizen looking for ways to stop supporting large corporations where possible.
I’ve been using some of these for years, already. Most certainly Firefox and Stremio.
