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.

  • cRazi_man@lemm.ee
    182·
    9 hours ago

    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.

    • LucidNightmare@lemm.ee
      2·
      50 minutes ago

      We only shoot Brave on sight because there are a myriad of reasons why Brave (which is just another crappy chromium browser) is a very bad browser. I’ve given a few links just a week ago that goes into great detail on why it is a shitty browser run by a shady corpo. Let me know if you’d like to read them, and I’ll gladly share them here in an EDIT. :)

    • gon [he]@lemm.ee
      10·
      9 hours ago

      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.

      • cRazi_man@lemm.ee
        3·
        8 hours ago

        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.

          • DrainedOctagon@lemmygrad.mlEnglish
            2·
            4 hours 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.

            • gon [he]@lemm.eeEnglish
              1·
              4 hours ago

              it will also improve the quality of their life and makes things easier.

              Will it? Now that is not true, I don’t think. Using Google sign-in for everything is way easier, using the built-in Google password manager on Chrome and android is way easier. No?

              • DrainedOctagon@lemmygrad.mlEnglish
                1·
                4 hours ago

                I mean, even if you’re using the same password everywhere (which I know some of these people aren’t doing because they’ve forgotten their password for some accounts while not losing access to every single account they have), it’s harder to actually sit and type out a password every single time. Using your default password manager, you don’t really have to think or do anything, just tap once on the screen and maybe authenticate your biometrics, that’s all.

          • cRazi_man@lemm.ee
            8·
            7 hours ago

            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.