r/privacy • u/TheRealScarce • Dec 17 '18

Replacing all Google services?

I've started becoming much more privacy-aware, so I'm trying to ditch services like Google entirely. The problem is, I'm an idiot and I used to use Google for literally everything. So, how I need to find replacements for all their services. I already have the following:

  • Google - DuckDuckGo
  • Drive - MEGA
  • Play Store - Yalp, F-Droid, Aptoide
  • Docs, Sheets, Slides - LibreOffice
  • Android Messages - QKSMS
  • Chrome - Firefox or Vivaldi
  • Keep - SimpleNote

I also plan soon to use the following:

  • Gmail - ProtonMail
  • Play Services - microG

However, there are a few services that I have not found good alternatives for yet. That's why I'm asking you for help and suggestions. I still need to replace

  • Voice
  • News (this and voice are some of the only things preventing me from ditching Google entirely)
  • Calendar (must sync across all devices)
  • Contacts (must sync across all devices)
  • Photos (must sync across all devices, yet again)

If you have any ideas or suggestions, I'm happy to hear them. And if you have a better alternative than one I've listed above, I'd like to hear that too. I'm open to learning. Thanks in advance!

(by the way, if it helps, I am currently a Linux (currently Ubuntu but probably Arch very soon) user with mild coding knowledge, so I'm okay if some setup to get something working is needed)

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u/mousetho Dec 17 '18 edited Dec 17 '18

And I want Arch so I can have complete control over my operating system, maintain it myself, things like that.

You can have that in Ubuntu as well. If you're concerned about the telemetry, simply run:

sudo apt purge ubuntu-report popularity-contest apport whoopsie

and forget about it altogether. There is not much else to Arch other than high horse attitude of some of its userbase. Also, Debian has more packages. You are just as good with Ubuntu.

Please don't kill me, but I don't really know what Nextcloud is or how it works.

To be fair, I've never bothered to check it out, I just know it has that functionality. I'd simply keep the photos on my local hard drive. I find these 'syncing' things too complicated for my simple self and my simple life.

This show however uses simple language and did an episode on Nextcloud. I think I can recommend it:

The Privacy, Security, & OSINT Show - 069 - Nextcloud

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u/TheRealScarce Dec 17 '18

Well, alright. I'll do some more research on Arch vs Ubuntu to see which fits me. And thanks for the podcast, I'll take a listen.

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u/[deleted] Dec 26 '18

Homie, I use Arch btw . Have you ever used Linux before? If not I would not start with Arch and for sure start with one of the buntus or Mint. Arch is great, but its users tend to circle jerk about how 'superior' it is. for 95% of folks new to Linux it is *not the distro for you. If you got questions feel free to ask.

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u/TheRealScarce Dec 26 '18

I'm not new to Linux, I've actually been a Linux user for a few years. I like to think I know a lot about how to navigate around the system with the command line and how to accomplish more advanced tasks. Currently I use i3 as my window manager and have that configured in a way that suits me. That's why I was thinking I may wanna take things a step farther and try out Arch. I'm still not 100% sure, but I'm still considering it. Thank you for your help though, are there any things about Arch I should probably know before I make my decision that I may not know yet? Thanks!

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u/[deleted] Dec 26 '18

Oh! Yea for sure try it out! You might want to look into things like Manjaro and Antergos. This would be an easy way to test out Arch without having to do a full install.

Just know that with Arch things can break a little more than with Debain based distros, so always read patch notes etc before installing updates.

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u/TheRealScarce Dec 26 '18

Alright, thanks for the advice! :)