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This illustrative image shows the logo for the Talking social media app displayed on a smartphone with its website in the background in Arlington, Va. On July 2, 2020. (Photo by OLIVIER DOULIERY / AFP via Getty Images)
Talking’s recent ban on Apple and Google’s app stores and Amazon’s shutdown of the social media app might make you think about the power of Big Tech. Add to this news that the WhatsApp messaging service, owned by Facebook, captures more of your personal data.
Tap or click to be shocked at the amount of data WhatsApp is sending to Facebook. Millions of users have now flocked to alternative messaging platforms like Signal and Telegram.
There are options to replace some of the most used apps and services. Tap or click here to access Google alternatives for search, email, messaging, and more.
You don’t have to use an Apple or Android phone. You don’t even have to use Windows on your computer. Spoiler alert: you may not like the options.
Alternatives to the consumer smartphone
Smartphones are arguably the most widely used consumer technologies today. There are more mobile devices on Earth than there are people, which should give you an idea of their prevalence.
What if you’re ready to ditch Apple and Google-owned Android? The Light Phone and Blackphone are two mobile devices focused on privacy.
The Light Phone, created by Joe Hollier and Kaiwei Tang, is a no-frills experience. Without skimping on aesthetic design and commonly used features, the Light Phone is designed to be used as little as possible.
RELATED: 5 apps you need to remove from your smartphone now
Blackphone, on the other hand, is one of the most secure cell phones on the market. Created by Silent Circle in 2014, the encrypted device runs on its own operating system. All communications are fully encrypted for telephone and text messaging services, and anonymize searches and web traffic.
You can also go the Linux route. Fairphone, OnePlus, Gigaset and Nokia have good options.
Secure your search
The fact that Google has become a verb is testament to the reach of the world’s most widely used search engine. Some alternatives value your privacy and always get you where you want to go online.
One of the most popular search engines for the security-conscious crowd is DuckDuckGo. The engine avoids personalized results and cannot use personal information such as your search history or location to modify the results.
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StartPage is another privacy-focused search engine. The Dutch company displays Google search results but does not store your personal information or search data. StartPage is like a privacy filter between you and Google.
Where to spend your money
Avoiding Amazon can be stricter than you think. While not buying from the Amazon website is the obvious first step, there are many other online sites that use Amazon Web Services (AWS) to host their operations.
Websites like Spotify, Airbnb, Etsy, and Pinterest use AWS as their cloud hosting service.
An alternative to Amazon is to shop at superstores like Target or Walmart. With a Walmart + subscription, you get unlimited free shipping and fuel discounts for $ 98 per year. Tap or click here to see what Walmart membership has to offer.
This might be a great time to support your local stores and grocery stores.
Social media is tricky
With so many websites and services implementing login through Facebook, this is a tricky connection to break. This first major task is to remove your data from Facebook. Tap or click here to learn how to quickly transfer your photos and videos out of Facebook.
Then go ahead and hit that delete button. Where should you go instead?
You can start with the social media platform I created. The Komando community is an ad-free alternative for people interested in technology and making the most of their digital lives. Tap or click here to try it free for 30 days.
Change operating systems
Windows and Mac computers aren’t the only game in town. The Linux operating system has been available since 1991 and is more widely used than you might think.
RELATED: This operating system can be more powerful and secure than Windows and Apple
What sets Linux apart is its open source software. Since its initial development and release, the Linux community has built on code ever since.
It can be daunting at first to get Linux running on your machine. But unlike Windows, almost everything is customizable through various free and open source software packages.
The Deepin version is easy to install and use. Find out how to do this here.
You can also use Ubuntu.
The bottom line
While it’s possible to move away from big tech companies, or at least minimize your reliance on them, it’s going to be a struggle.
From social media to online shopping, the biggest tech companies are firmly anchored in the web. There are certainly alternatives, but what you gain in privacy you will probably lose in functionality.
You might want to get yourself some hair growth serum before you pull all of your own when trying to put together your new life without Big Tech.
Slow PC, printer does not print or has Wi-Fi issues? Post your technical questions to get concrete answers from me and other tech professionals. Visit my question and answer forum and get technical help now.
What questions do you have about the digital lifestyle? Call Kim’s national radio show and tap or click here to find it on your local radio station. You can listen or watch The Kim Komando Show on your phone, tablet, TV or computer. Or tap or click here for Kim’s free podcasts.
Copyright 2021, WestStar Multimedia Entertainment. All rights reserved.
Check out all the latest tech on The Kim Komando Show, the nation’s biggest weekend radio talk show. Kim takes calls and provides advice on today’s digital lifestyle, from smartphones and tablets to online privacy and data hacks. For his daily tips, free newsletters and more, visit his website at Komando.com.
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