make tech easier – “We put up with Google because the apps are awesome. But there are downsides to living in the panopticon. If you’d prefer not to have a corporation and all its buddies breathing down your neck, consider these privacy-focused alternatives to Google’s services [the include: Gmail, Google Maps, Google Docs, Google Calendar, Google Chrome, Google Translate, and more]

Notes on Our Suggestions – While free services were preferred in our analysis, paid services are the reality of the privacy-first space. Companies can’t make money off your data, so advertisers don’t pay the bills. It’s up to you to pay. “If you’re not paying for the product, you are the product.” We’ve recommended several Apple apps on this list, which might rankle those that distrust Five Eyes corporations on principle. However, Apple has a credible claim to its advertised title as a privacy-focused company: we wouldn’t recommend their services otherwise. Do spend some time considering why you won’t use Apple services before assuming they’re insufficient or ill-suited to your needs. The most secure option will often be hosting your own service, provided you are competent enough to secure it against intrusion. But since that’s unrealistically complicated for most Google users, we haven’t suggested it here. Motivated users are encouraged to seek out the many open-source self-hosted options for these services….”