Replacing US Big Tech: My Ongoing Shift Toward European Digital Alternatives

— Posted inEurope, Software, Technology — 2 min read

For some time now, I’ve been gradually replacing U.S.-dominated digital services with European-developed alternatives — both on my PC and my phone. This isn’t a one-time switch, but an ongoing experiment in digital autonomy, privacy, and balance.

The screenshot shows one screen of my phone, featuring European apps and platforms that I actively use or am currently testing. These include alternatives to browsers, email, messaging, navigation, video, search, and more.

This journey was inspired in part by the European Alternatives directory — a fantastic, regularly updated list of digital tools created and hosted in Europe. The project was started by Constantin Graf, an Austrian developer who maintains the initiative.

Here’s a selection of European apps I’m actively using or currently testing — some of which appear in the screenshot:

  • Vivaldi: A privacy-focused Norwegian browser
  • Mastodon: Federated microblogging platform. I’m also testing Rodent, a Mastodon client that feels more complete in terms of UX/UI.
  • Pixelfed: Federated image-sharing platform, focused on privacy and decentralization.
  • Qwant: A French search engine
  • Threema: Swiss secure messenger
  • Proton Mail: Swiss encrypted email
  • PeerTube: Decentralized video platform
  • pCloud: European cloud storage
  • Mullvad VPN: Swedish privacy-first VPN
  • Spotify: Swedish-based streaming service — although some question its alignment with European digital sovereignty
  • HERE WeGo: Navigation app developed in Germany (is this fully independent of US resources?). I’m also testing Lokjo, a promising open-source alternative using OpenStreetMap.
  • Le Chat: Chatbot interface for Mistral AI’s French language models
  • European Alternatives: Mobile version of the directory itself

This isn’t about cutting all ties with US services overnight. It’s about creating space — to support platforms that reflect European values like transparency, sustainability, and decentralization.

If you’re curious to explore alternatives, the European Alternatives directory is a great place to start.

Also on Mastodon: @[email protected]

Not Just About Fish: A Deeper Change in U.S. Priorities

— Posted inEnvironment, Uncategorized — 1 min read

This week, The New York Times reported that Donald Trump has opened a massive marine protected area to commercial fishing — aiming to make the U.S. the world’s “dominant seafood leader.” Link to article

If I wanted to interpret the essence of the new American politics with the least political lens possible, maybe this would be it.

Only the short-term business of big corporations matters. Any regulation that restrains it — whether social, environmentally conscious, or based on sustainable economics — must be dismantled. Not revised — eliminated.

Marine protected areas aren’t just for soft-hearted environmentalists. Without them, even fishing itself becomes unsustainable. It may be profitable for a while, then it collapses. These zones help replenish fish stocks in the surrounding fishable waters.

Global map of Marine Protected Areas. Source: Marine Conservation Institute / Marine Protection Atlas (via Wikipedia).

Also on Mastodon: @ghrasko

Environment

Facebook AI opt-out

— Posted inEurope, Science, Software, Technology, Uncategorized — 2 min read

Meta wants your Facebook data to train its AI — including private chats. Here’s what you should know, even if you are in the Fediverse.

Recently, I received a notification from Facebook: they want to use all my content — posts, photos, even private Messenger conversations — to train their artificial intelligence models.

Although I’m gradually leaving Facebook behind, I’m still there — partly to share things like this, and to encourage others to consider the move too. So yes, this blog speaks from there, but to the Fediverse.

Why does this matter?

Meta is releasing some genuinely useful open-source AI tools. And no, they won’t just start spitting out your exact messages or selfies. So from a tech point of view, it might make sense.

But this isn’t just about innovation. It’s about choice — and consent.

The tricky part: you’re opted in by default

If you do nothing, they treat it as a “yes.” You might get a complex, lawyer-style notice offering you a chance to object. It takes a few clicks, careful reading, and effort to opt out.

Just posting “I don’t consent” on Facebook won’t help. That’s a myth.

What you can do

If you haven’t seen the notification, you can still act: facebook.com/privacy/genai

There, you’ll find the official info — and a form to object. It’s a bit buried, but it works.

Bottom line

This isn’t just about Meta. It’s about setting a precedent for how our data is treated in the age of AI. Watch out, and make your own informed choice.

Also on Mastodon: @ghrasko