Given recent events, it is time to make some changes in our digital lives to protect ourselves, our families and our nation.
We have been lulled into digital complacency by free digital services on overly expensive devices which we can purchase at home while still in our PJ’s and we expect them to be delivered the same day. And now censorship has begun. We can fight back and have an impact.
Change requires choices and actions. I have chosen to limit or remove any digital service or device that allows “big tech” to thrive with my help. The actions I am taking are below. I recommend that you consider them. I have included some references at the bottom of this post with more details. This post will be updated as I update plans and make progress.
When choosing a service, I will try to find those that are not using any hosting services of the big three, Apple, Google or Amazon. Most people outside of technology do not understand that most of the internet and the digital services you use run on servers controlled by these companies. That means they can shut them down if they so choose, ie look at what is happening to parler.com.
The instructions below are for Mac and iPhone but the same is possible on Android/Google devices.
1 Switch from Google to DuckDuckGo. DDG has a web based search engine which I have been using for a while. They also have a secure browser you can use on your phone.
- Install DuckDuckGo app on iPhone: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/duckduckgo-privacy-browser/id663592361
- Make DDG your default browser on your iPhone: Settings – DuckDuckGo – Default Browser App – DuckDuckGo
- Use DDG as default search engine in Safari on iPhone (but don’t actually use Safari, this is just in case): Settings – Safari – Search Engine – DuckDuckGo.
2 Switch to a browser with privacy, use Dissenter on your Mac. The Dissenter web browser is built for The People, not advertisers. Block Big Tech ads and trackers by default. Discover a comment section on every URL online. Welcome to the free speech internet. Get it here: https://dissenter.com
3 Stop using Twitter and move to Gab. They banned a sitting United States President while still allowing the Iranian leaders and others spew hate on their platform. The steps below will deactivate your account so that Twitter knows you have left.
- Open the Twitter app
- Settings and privacy – Account – Deactivate your account at the bottom of the page.
- Read the account deactivation information, then click “Deactivate @username.”
- Enter your password when prompted and click the “Deactivate account” button to confirm that you want to deactivate your account.
Read more online: https://help.twitter.com/en/managing-your-account/how-to-deactivate-twitter-account
4 Stop using Facebook and switch to Parler. Yes, stop using the digital drug called Facebook.
- Open Facebook app
- Click on the drop-down arrow in the top right corner of Facebook
- Select Settings and Privacy – Settings – Your Facebook Information – Deactivation and Deletion – Permanently Delete Account – Continue to Account Deletion
- Click “Delete Account” and enter your password. Then click “Continue.”
You will be able to recover your Facebook account if you log in within 30 days of beginning the process to permanently delete your account.
Read more online: https://www.facebook.com/help/250563911970368
5 Start using Signal. Signal is a replacement for iMessage. Every blue text message you send goes through Apple servers. Sign up and install the app on your phone and computer.
1 .Sign up link: https://signal.org
6 Start using Gab. Gab is a good replacement for Twitter and is hosted on Cloudfair not Amazon. Sign up for the service and install their apps on your device.
Sign up link: https://gab.com/auth/sign_up
7 Start using Parler. Google, Apple and Amazon have made this unavailable for a few days. It WILL be back soon.
Sign up link: https://parler.com/auth/access
8 Change your email provider. Stop using gmail, iCloud, msn, yahoo, etc. This is more difficult but I can help. Contact me for direct assistance.
I will be moving my personal domains theschaufs.com, schaufs.com and schaufs.org to a new email provider very soon.
Considerations:
- ProtonMail: https://protonmail.com/professional
- Helm – not available until March-ish: https://www.thehelm.com/shop
9 Photos and iCloud Drive. I have purchased an Amber X which is a home based file server. It will replace iPhoto and iCloud drive. I may replace this with Helm when it becomes available but we will see.
10 Mapping – I am looking for a replacement for Apple and Google Maps. Waze is a subsidiary of Google so I wont use it. I am leaning towards Magic Earth.
How to contact me in the new digital space:
Parler: UncleBad
Gab: @UncleBad
Signal: brad@theschaufs.com
Change Table:
| From | To |
| Google Search | DuckDuckGo Search |
| Safari browser | DuckDuckGo or Dissenter browser |
| Gab | |
| Parler | |
| iMessage | Signal |
| FaceTime | Signal |
Reference Links:
https://lifepetitions.com/petition/petition-dump-twitter-and-big-tech
https://www.mikehuckabee.com/latest-news?id=42FC28A4-BC89-4FF2-AE9E-2BE369718790