Take a Stand Against Fascism
This article is not satire
In the wake of another big tech company paying off tyrant President Lardass, boycotting big tech companies like Google, Amazon, and Facebook is a powerful way to express dissatisfaction with their practices, especially when they seem to cater to authoritarian regimes. Just as the cancellation of Disney Plus was a statement that kept Jimmy Kimmel on the air, choosing to withdraw support from these tech giants sends a clear message: we will not tolerate their complicity in undermining democratic values.
For the past five years, I have consciously avoided using any Google products, with the exception of the occasional Google Maps feature integrated into my taxi apps, and even then, I remain unsigned in. This decision was not made lightly; it reflects a commitment to supporting alternatives that align more closely with my values.
In my quest to distance myself from big tech, I discovered several alternatives that have proven to be effective and reliable:
– Koofr: I have been using a Koofr Lifetime account for cloud storage for five years. While it has one drawback, a limited photo search feature, I appreciate its commitment to user privacy and its user-friendly interface. I trust that improvements will come over time.
– Ubuntu: By switching to Ubuntu, I have eliminated the need for any Microsoft products. While Microsoft may be considered the “least evil” among big tech companies, I prefer to avoid their ecosystem altogether.
– LibreOffice and GIMP: These open-source alternatives to Microsoft Office and Adobe Photoshop allow me to accomplish all my document and graphic editing tasks without relying on big tech.
– Chat Apps and Mail Apps: I have successfully ditched WhatsApp in favor of more privacy-focused chat applications like Signal, Viber, and Zalo. If you don’t run your own server, email services like TUTA and Proton get the job done.
– Payment Methods: Instead of using Apple Pay, I find my chip credit card to be more convenient and secure. This small change helps me avoid the tracking vulnerabilities associated with iPhones.
Looking ahead, my next step is to transition to a Lineage OS phone. This move will help me avoid the persistent Bluetooth tracking vulnerabilities found in many mainstream smartphones, including iPhones. By choosing an open-source operating system, I can regain control over my device and enhance my privacy.
Beyond personal choices, it’s essential to engage in collective action. Voting is a powerful way to influence policy and hold corporations accountable. Additionally, I encourage everyone to participate in No Kings Day on October 18. This event symbolizes our commitment to resisting corporate influence and advocating for a more equitable society. Together, we can create a future where technology serves the people, not the interests of a few powerful corporations.