A good article on privacy alternatives to Google search, email, etc

[ssfc72]

https://www.bbc.com/news/business-50460712

I don't know if it is any better for not monitoring my searches, but I sometimes will use the search engine, Dogpile or Startpage.  At least it gets me away from using Google, and the search results seem to be quite good.

[Jason]

Thanks for sharing, Bill!

I'm trying to get away from Google services as well. I still use YouTube but I no longer log in and instead save the content providers and videos I like in bookmarks. I still use Facebook. It's the only way to keep in touch with some family members and friends. But I don't stay logged into it, and I use it in a container so it can't spy on my other open tabs. For search I use Ecosia. Like DuckDuckGo, they don't collect information on you and they plant trees I still use Google Calendar but I'm looking for alternatives. I think it's okay to use one Google service, the problem is when you use multiple services, then they can build an advertising profile on you. While most might not care, I don't like being manipulated into buying things I don't actually need and data breaches could mean that users lose control of their info.

I tried to get anybody here interested in Protonmail a while back. But even LUG members prefer free even at the cost of privacy apparently. I'm trying out Tutanota for email now which is cheap 12 euros a year, about $18 CAD. It also encrypts the email on their servers and lets you send it, too.

Remember if they don't charge anything for the product, that's because you are the product.