I’m just going to leave this here: https://github.com/awesome-vacuum/awesome-vacuum

Nothing of value was lost.

That’s the problem, really. They all have pros and cons.

Kagi is American, so they are out for me. So is DuckDuckGo.

I don’t care if startpage uses the Google index, since Google isn’t profiting from my data or from ads.

Their servers are in the EU, and the balance between privacy and usable results is good enough.

I see it like using a third-party front end for YouTube. All of the benefits with none of the risks or private data theft.

Alternative?

Startpage.com

Better than qwant in my opinion.

Even if “better” is just lack of nags.

Well, they just swap nags from “download our app” to “rate our app” no matter what you do, you’ll be nagged…

That’s exactly it. Easy to block ads and trackers on a website, but more difficult or impossible on some apps.

One of the banking apps won’t show the total balance of the account unless I’m using the app. How ridiculous.

As I’ve been making an effort to replace apps with the browser version of the service. It’s so abundantly clear that companies don’t want you using their website.

Even if they don’t outright cripple functionality, they’ll hound you endlessly to install the app.

It’s infuriating to say the least.

Was using the Voyager app. But now I use the Voyager PWA version through the Hermit app.

I’ll just share with you my experience:

I was also paying for a YouTube Premium family plan, but still got ads. What made me cancel was the fact that they’re still using trackers, so they were making money off me three times (subscription, ads, and selling my data)!

Coupled with the fact that “content creators” don’t really make content for the love of making it. It’s all created “for the algorithm”, especially the “watch to the end”, clickbait titles and thumbnails, “like and subscribe” begging, “only 15% of you are subscribers”, sponsored content disguised as education, etc… Videos today are nothing like they were 15 years ago, because it became solely about making money.

Google is one of the pioneers of the enshittification movement!

… And has made video content for billions of people unbearable to watch or enjoy.

Not even Hitler would buy one. He’s got too much self-respect than to associate with Elon.

Maybe just like Facebook Market, simply ignore it? /s

Suing companies for not advertising on a platform For Nazis, By Nazis™. 🤡

They can afford it, too.

“Our record business performance during the September quarter drove nearly $27 billion in operating cash flow, allowing us to return over $29 billion to our shareholders,” said Luca Maestri, Apple’s CFO. (SOURCE)

Oh, yeah, don’t get me wrong, Google is highly unethical, and I avoid any and all Google related products whenever possible.

Selling Chrome, however, doesn’t really stop them from doing damage.

The part about not allowing them to bribe pay other companies to use their search is a much better idea.

And regarding their influence over the internet… we need stronger regulation to prevent any company from having that much control over an essential service.

Um, that wouldn’t change if Google “sells Chrome”, though.

Firefox uses Google Search as a default, so does every Samsung phone (and most other Android devices).

Unless the DOJ is telling everyone not to implement a default search engine (and let the user decide upon first opening the browser), then who owns Chrome really doesn’t change much.

Other remedies the government is asking the court to impose include prohibiting Google from offering money or anything of value to third parties — including Apple and other phone-makers — to make Google’s search engine the default,

This is the only thing that makes sense, but “sell Chrome” is a laughable request.

What does Chrome have to do with search? 🤔

Just wait until everyone is forced to wear screens on their faces 24/7, because that’s the way tech companies want us to live. I’m not being sarcastic, either.

There’s a reason why so many people consciously choose to “disconnect” when they want a mental break. If we are no longer able to, how healthy do you think our society will be?

They will choose to stop if it doesn’t make them money. 😀

But yes, not allowing them to do this in the first place would be a very reasonable thing to fight for.