Josef Davies-Coates

If you're looking to switch away from fascist enabling unaccountable tech giants these directories are all pretty good in their own way:

1. https://switching.software/
2. https://www.privacyguides.org/
3. https://alternativeto.net/
4. https://ethical.net/resources/
5. https://selfh.st/apps/
6. https://european-alternatives.eu/
7. https://prism-break.org/en/

There is also e.g. this nice bit of guidance too https://www.optoutproject.net/the-cyber-cleanse-take-back-your-digital-footprint/

switching.software

Ethical, easy-to-use and privacy-conscious alternatives to well-known software

switching.software
Feb 28, 2025 at 10:27amWeb
Show threadRainer ZufallFeb 28, 2025
@josef
If you're specifically looking for European companies/products, this might be interesting as well
https://european-alternatives.eu/
European Alternatives

We help you find European alternatives for digital service and products, like cloud services and SaaS products.

European Alternatives
Show threadJosef Davies-CoatesFeb 28, 2025
@rainerzufall_le funnily enough I just came here to edit my post to add that one too! 🙂
Show threadben morettiMar 2, 2025
@rainerzufall_le @josef that’s a great one thanks
Show threadguissoFeb 28, 2025
@josef https://prism-break.org/en
Opt out of global data surveillance programs like PRISM, XKeyscore, and Tempora - PRISM Break - PRISM Break

Opt out of global data surveillance programs like PRISM, XKeyscore and Tempora. Help make mass surveillance of entire populations uneconomical! We all have a right to privacy, which you can exercise today by encrypting your communications and ending your reliance on proprietary services.

Show threadJosef Davies-CoatesMar 2, 2025
@guisso added, thanks
Show threadJacquelineMar 1, 2025

@josef

https://www.debian.org

Debian -- The Universal Operating System

Debian is an operating system and a distribution of Free Software. It is maintained and updated through the work of many users who volunteer their time and effort.

Show threadchef 😎Mar 1, 2025

@josef
Excellent collection 👍🏼

My project to get away from all these terrible companies is going great. Already got rid of lots of google stuff, deleted everything Meta, installed various apps via fdroid and more.

Not used amazon in years, never been on X.

It is actually a lot easier than I thought. 🤷🏼☺️

What I don't seem to be able to find is an antivirus app...

Show threadJosef Davies-CoatesMar 1, 2025
@ruedi just stop using Windows? I've been running Linux for decades (Ubuntu since it's existed, and other distributions before that) and have never had any antivirus apps now had any issues with viruses.
Show thread(roll m3tti)Mar 2, 2025
@josef i've never understood the centralization of services and the internet. This was never intended! Host on your own or use local providers. Most obviously your clients or service users are in the same country like yours. You can even use diffrent systems and domains for other countries. When did that happen that we use one domain and large scale systems only.
Show threadJosef Davies-CoatesMar 2, 2025
@m3tti yeah, I use an amazing piece of source available software called @cloudron to self host loads of open source web apps. Cloudron is imho the best of it's type but see also all the other options I and others listed here https://forum.cloudron.io/topic/10000/a-list-of-cloudron-like-services-competitors
A list of Cloudron-like services/ competitors

We all love Cloudron because it Just Works and automates/ takes care of so much. As a bit of market research for Cloudron and as a list of other interesting ...

Cloudron Forum
Show threadVronimus GeisterschlossMar 2, 2025
@josef 📌
Show threaddatendefektMar 2, 2025
@josef It's good that there are already many alternatives for software and online services.
But what worries me is that we are far away from smartphone alternatives to Android and Apple.
Show threadJosef Davies-CoatesMar 2, 2025
@datendefekt you can get degoogled versions of Android. I run @e_mydata @murena on my phone https://e.foundation/e-os/ 😊
/e/OS - e Foundation - deGoogled unGoogled smartphone operating systems and online services - your data is your data

ECOSYSTEMKEY FEATURESGET /E/OSNEED HELP /e/OS is a complete, fully “deGoogled”, mobile ecosystem /e/OS is an open-source mobile operating system paired with carefully selected applications. They form a privacy-enabled internal system for your smartphone. And it’s not just claims: open-source means auditable privacy. /e/OS has received academic recognition from researchers at…

Show threadhelen varley jamiesonMar 2, 2025
@e_mydata @josef @murena @datendefekt i am also using /e/ on a fairphone (fairphone.com/)
and very happy! 😃
We are Fairphone

We make technology with a purpose—designed to last longer, perform better, and make a real impact. And we’ve been at it for more than a decade.

Fairphone
Show threadJosef Davies-CoatesMar 2, 2025
@helenvarley @e_mydata @murena @datendefekt nice. I've just got a Teracube myself, which doesn't have as good supply chain but does have a good long warranty, a great repair/ replacement service, and a replaceable battery, which is better than most these days :)
Show threaddatendefektMar 2, 2025

@josef @helenvarley @e_mydata @murena Third-party degoogled ROM are a good stopgap, but Android is not fully open source. It's still dependent on Google for development and on the phone vendors for hardware drivers.

A true alternative would need to be a separate operating system, and at best separate hardware.

Show threadJosef Davies-CoatesMar 2, 2025
@datendefekt @helenvarley @e_mydata @murena back in the day I had Linux powered Nokia with built in keyboard, that was fun. I guess https://pine64.org/devices/pinephone/ is pretty cool similar thing these days
PinePhone

An Open Source Smartphone Supported by All Major Linux Phone Projects The PinePhone is a smartphone that empowers users with control over the device. It is capable of running mainline Linux, features hardware privacy switches, and is designed for open-source enthusiasts. Powered by the same quad-core ARM Cortex A53 64-Bit SoC used in our popular PINE A64 Single Board Computer, the PinePhone runs mainline Linux as well as anything else you’ll get it to run.

PINE64
Show threadOpen RiskMar 2, 2025
@josef the thing is, you are preaching to the converted.
Show threadJosef Davies-CoatesMar 2, 2025
@openrisk I didn't only post this on here 😉 but even if I had lots of people here still don't know about nor use lots of other alternatives. But yeah, it's had way more engagement here than most other places.
Show threadBorielMar 2, 2025
@josef
Another alternative to GoogleMaps / Apple Maps, offline and libre (I haven´t tested it yet)
https://organicmaps.app/es/
Organic Maps: senderismo, ciclismo y GPS sin conexión

Mapas rápidos y detallados sin conexión para viajantes, turistas, conductores, senderistas y ciclistas creados por los fundadores de MapsWithMe (Maps.Me).

Show threadJosef Davies-CoatesMar 2, 2025
@boriel I've tried that a bit, not bad in some instances. See also https://www.magicearth.com/
Magic Earth - Free Navigation & Maps App for Android and iPhone

Magic Earth is a free maps and navigation app based on OpenStreetMap data. Enjoy 3D maps, Satellite maps, Turn-by-turn navigation, HD Traffic, Offline maps

Magic Earth
Show threadBorielMar 2, 2025
@josef Interesting! Thanks, will have a look.
Show thread🏳️‍🌈🎃🇧🇷Luana🇧🇷🎃🏳️‍🌈Mar 2, 2025
@josef ethical dot net showing brave is ugh a huge red flag
Show threadJosef Davies-CoatesMar 2, 2025
@luana what specifically do you most dislike about Brave? All the crypto stuff? or something else? Never used it myself. But I'd suggest feeding back to them instead of me 🙂 e.g. via https://community.ethical.net/t/suggestions-for-our-ethical-resources-directory/105
Suggestions for our Ethical Resources directory

Hola! Please help us improve our Ethical Resources directory. Submit below a link to an ethical resources plus your reasons for considering it this way (open source / no tracking / independent etc). Thanks!

ethical.net
Show threadwilcoMar 3, 2025
@josef I am going to start making the switch again right now. I had fully unsubscribed as a test many years ago so I am not even worried about the break from Big Tech. This is the year for embracing discomfort. This is the year of collaboration.