Subduing your tech will require trying new things, reconsidering your options and figuring out what works for you. If you’re looking for immediate new things to try, here’s a short list.
All software listed here is open source, unless marked with *.
*Note to iOS users: some of these suggestions are not available for your devices. Whilst Apple offers a highly streamlined and “user friendly” experience, they also work exceptionally hard to restrict your devices.
Web Browsers
Search Engines
Browser Extensions
uBlock Origin
User-friendly content blocker. Works quietly and efficiently in the background to give you a much less silent-abuse-ridden browsing experience.
Unhook*
Modifies YouTube to remove its distractions. Easy toggles for switching on/off recommended videos, comments, trending page etc. Not open source.
VPN
Mullvad
Solid VPN with a range of payment options across the entirety of the privacy spectrum.
Apps
F-Droid
An app store exclusively for free and open source apps. Many privacy and autonomy focused apps are released on F-droid.
Newpipe
Watch YouTube videos with no ads, no hidden tracking and many other extra features (e.g. download videos, play audio with device locked).
Operating Systems
TrueNAS
An operating system for those who want their own server for managing their own files.
Other
Open Office
An alternative, office suite. For creating documents, presentations etc. Compatible with Microsoft Office files.
