After this latest arm-twist by Google to force all Youtube users to start using Google+ whether they want to or not, I have decided it's time to quit using Google products. My gmail account is also affected, as now my Youtube avatar and name are being sent to my gmail recipients.
I was one of the early adopters of Google in the 90s, helping them become the giant they are today, and this is how they thank us - fuck us in the ass!
Best way to fight back - stop using their products. They read my private emails and sell my data to third parties who can do whatever they like with it.
Google has become the most efficient spying mechanism ever created in the history of the world and I won't support that, it's extremely dangerous.
So, my plan is:
Use the Firefox browser, never Chrome.
Replace gmail with Fastmail - I am happy to pay a small annual fee to have my privacy restored.
Use the DuckDuckGo browser instead of Google - this is the BIG one. It feels weird at first and DuckDuckGo still has to rely on Google for some things like image searches but they are built around anonymity and I support that. The search engine is good.
Also, if you have to use Google, don't click the first 3 links, i.e. the sponsored links, that just puts money in the pocket of Google and takes away from the companies you like. Click the regular link just below those.
Youtube - tricky to replace this one. Best way, create a new, fake Google account and refrain from leaving messages. Or just use Youtube as an anonymous user.
Google maps - excellent product no doubt but an evil tracking system. If this is the only Google product you use, I don't see how they can correlate the data with other online activities. Or go old school - use a paper map and ask people in the streets for directions. It's worked for thousands of years! Or use a different map service to Google maps, and take a photo of it on your phone before you leave home. New tech/Old Skool!
If you guys know any better products than the ones I suggested, please add them here. I want a great online experience but I refuse to sell my privacy to get it.
I was one of the early adopters of Google in the 90s, helping them become the giant they are today, and this is how they thank us - fuck us in the ass!
Best way to fight back - stop using their products. They read my private emails and sell my data to third parties who can do whatever they like with it.
Google has become the most efficient spying mechanism ever created in the history of the world and I won't support that, it's extremely dangerous.
So, my plan is:
Use the Firefox browser, never Chrome.
Replace gmail with Fastmail - I am happy to pay a small annual fee to have my privacy restored.
Use the DuckDuckGo browser instead of Google - this is the BIG one. It feels weird at first and DuckDuckGo still has to rely on Google for some things like image searches but they are built around anonymity and I support that. The search engine is good.
Also, if you have to use Google, don't click the first 3 links, i.e. the sponsored links, that just puts money in the pocket of Google and takes away from the companies you like. Click the regular link just below those.
Youtube - tricky to replace this one. Best way, create a new, fake Google account and refrain from leaving messages. Or just use Youtube as an anonymous user.
Google maps - excellent product no doubt but an evil tracking system. If this is the only Google product you use, I don't see how they can correlate the data with other online activities. Or go old school - use a paper map and ask people in the streets for directions. It's worked for thousands of years! Or use a different map service to Google maps, and take a photo of it on your phone before you leave home. New tech/Old Skool!
If you guys know any better products than the ones I suggested, please add them here. I want a great online experience but I refuse to sell my privacy to get it.