this post was submitted on 10 Mar 2025
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cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/26584999

I've decided to make some significant changes in my digital life. I've taken the plunge and am rooting out most US-based services from my usage list. This includes canceling all my streaming subscriptions, putting my Reddit account in cold storage, and deleting my Twitter accounts. Additionally, I'm in the process of removing my presence from Meta platforms. This shift is part of my effort to simplify and re-evaluate my online habits and dependencies.

One of the primary reasons for this change is the importance of bolstering the EU economy. By supporting European companies and services, I believe we can foster innovation and growth within our own region. This not only strengthens our economic independence but also encourages the development of solutions tailored to our specific needs and values.

In my exploration of EU-based alternatives, I've found that while they may be slightly more expensive, they often offer superior technology and usability. The focus on quality, privacy, and user experience in many European products aligns with my personal values and expectations. By investing in these solutions, I'm not only supporting local businesses but also benefiting from advanced and reliable services.

This transition is about more than just personal preference; it's about contributing to a stronger, more self-sufficient European digital landscape. I'm excited to continue discovering and integrating more EU-based services into my daily life.

Despite the costs and effort needed to make this change, I would like to encourage and motivate everyone else considering doing the same. It will undoubtedly be tough for a while, but if we push forward together, it will be better for all of us in the end. Let's support each other in this journey towards a more independent and innovative digital future.

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[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 hour ago (1 children)

How can I move from WhatsApp to any other messaging app, if people I chat with don’t use any other app than WhatsApp? Serious question. I would love to ditch WhatsApp, but it seems like impossible task.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 46 minutes ago (2 children)

We need some laws that make companies expose messaging apps APIs so that a third party open source app that talks to all the different messaging services can finally emerge.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 minutes ago

Tired of apps. I want more protocols. Fuck 'facebook messenger' it's just a protocol with a GUI, gimme your protocol.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 40 minutes ago

Yes, that would be awesome.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 19 minutes ago

Why not suggest Aptoide as an app store?

[–] [email protected] 1 points 34 minutes ago

I'm a slower burn, deciding to move one account at a time to limit the fatigue.

Today was reddit as I noticed it was still my default to open that before Lemmy

[–] [email protected] 6 points 2 hours ago

BlueSky is US-based and not really decentralised. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bluesky

Prefer Mastodon and other fediverse services.

[–] [email protected] 14 points 4 hours ago

I like how they've gone straight to piracy for streaming.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 3 hours ago (2 children)

As alternative to WhatsApp, there is also ArcaneChat that is more user-friendly for normies: https://arcanechat.me/

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 hour ago

Too bad it doesn't have an iphone download available.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 hours ago (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 hour ago

I think because they're located on the US.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 hours ago (1 children)

Stremio is illegal (piracy). Don't use it!

[–] [email protected] 1 points 6 minutes ago

Piracy? What the hell that's so based. I'm gonna use it now

[–] [email protected] 14 points 5 hours ago* (last edited 5 hours ago) (1 children)

I've made similar changes....but I've stopped recommending these to people. Almost everything here takes plenty of knowhow and setup effort. Good to have a reference like this....but this is not for normies.

Also, Lemmy tends to shoot on sight at the mention of Brave. Lemmy hivemind is close to doing the same with Firefox.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 5 hours ago (1 children)

I feel like there are quite a few normie-friendly alternatives out there... But generally speaking, I've gotta agree.

However, I do think we could take it upon ourselves to help! It might be hard to set up, but it's worth it. I say: keep recommending it, but make yourself more available to guide and aid people less knowledgeable than yourself.

If you're willing, of course.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 3 hours ago (1 children)

My mission has been to get people to at least use a password manager like Bitwarden. I've been unsuccessful for years and am stuck recovering accounts for everyone. You have to understand just how little normies are willing to do.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 3 hours ago (2 children)

...They can't use a password manager?!

[–] [email protected] 1 points 4 minutes ago

I've tried for a couple of years to get people to use one, and I could only get one person to use a password manger. So yeah. It is actually very surprisingly hard to get people to do something that is not only simple, but ignoring the security benefits, it will also improve the quality of their life and makes things easier.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 2 hours ago* (last edited 2 hours ago) (1 children)

They could learn......but they won't.

I've managed to get my wife to use Bitwarden through brute force, i.e. when I recover any account for her I refuse to let he input a new password without putting it in her Bitwarden first. Only to find out when she changed device that she doesn't remember her Bitwarden password and only ever used the fingerprint on her phone.

My parents are the other people I provide tech support for. They'd rather just say they'll ask me to recover their account again rather than use Bitwarden. If I try to force them to use it I have to teach them how to use it again every time (which icon was it? What was my password for this? How do I input the account details you've got now?).

My wife and parents don't remember the password for their main google account on their android and gmail. Any time a password prompt comes up for anything they ask me "so should I put in my Google password here?" 🤦‍♂️

People at work have realised I'm "techsavy" and ask me stuff. They won't use Bitwarden either. They've all got pieces of paper on their desks with their passwords for secure work systems.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 2 hours ago

You depress me. I have no comments.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 4 hours ago (1 children)

Isn't Stremio just a torrent client with integrated videoplayer and search? Kind of odd suggesting it as an alternative to legit services. Might get some less knowledgable people bonked with fines.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 hours ago

These people use every opportunity to post about piracy. They think it's their mission to convert everyone to do piracy. No idea why.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 3 hours ago

I'm a huge advocate for switching to FOSS, but you're being disingenuous by portraying it as supporting the EU. You're boycotting US companies. I do the same for the benefit of privacy, frugality, and, honestly, fun. FOSS isn't for most people, though.

I have heard that Nextcloud is pretty buggy. Libre Office is a Microsoft Office replacement, which is mainly the function of Nextcloud.

Home Assistant has a pretty steep learning curve, but totally worth it in the end. The voice assistant software is still in its early stages, same with cellphone software.

I love that you're spreading awareness, but I wanted to warn others. There are many lists of FOSS alternatives out there!

[–] [email protected] 4 points 4 hours ago

I've switched away from google to https://www.infomaniak.com/en/ksuite

1.91 Euro/m for 1 Terabyte of storage, and it's hosted and operated from Switzerland

[–] [email protected] 4 points 5 hours ago (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 2 points 4 hours ago

Thank you!!

[–] [email protected] 1 points 4 hours ago

Don’t mind me, just a fed up US citizen looking for ways to stop supporting large corporations where possible.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 4 hours ago

I've been using some of these for years, already. Most certainly Firefox and Stremio.