The internet is dominated by centralised companies who use many tactics which the people are unaware of. There is a saying -- if it is free then you are the product -- this is undoubtedly true for all of the major platforms. They all use user data and maliciously use cookies to talk and give information to other websites/apps. Alternatives are a must. There are many reasons one might want to switch away but the commonality is we all recognise that these main platforms are absolutely evil.
One may be then tempted to Google and search for alternatives. This is where they are smart, controlled opposition. A user searches for alternatives and finds several with good reviews. This is deliberate. The major platforms here are compromised as well. They are wolves in sheep's clothing. They offer semblances of privacy and security but they also offer much of the same as the Corpo-web, which the user is trying to escape.
A major warning sign is how did you find out about it? Did you hear about it on YouTube? This means the company has enough extra cash (funding) to pay influencers to promote their product. It is very doubtful only one person is being paid, it is more than likely several or dozens.
Know what you want or need (e.g. via threat modeling) and assess whether the given platform, in combination with other (re)sources, provides this; whether it supports your aim or is against it.
Write out what you use and what you use it for. Then look for alternatives which still fulfill that role. For example:
These are common uses. Corpo-tech fulfills these but also manipulates them by filtering information and presenting irrelevant information designed to distract the human mind. It's not a you problem, it's simply biology and engineering. These can be mitigated with things such as a tool for each.
[1] Messaging depends on the threat model. A simple version may include Signal. I recommend against Telegram highly. It is not E2EE and is not meant for privacy or security - if this is important for you then avoid it. Higher threat models may want to consider something like Cryptchat or Session. The messenger does not matter if the user still has bad opsec and reveals de-anonymising information.
[2] Videos, this has a few. It may take the form of replacing YouTube with something like Bitchute, Rumble. Odysee or VidLii, BitView, IA. This depeds on the model. If the aim is to watch a video on YouTube without its surveillance, the user can opt for Invidious and choose an instance or use a platform such as Newpipe or Pipepipe if the device allows. The latter two, AFAIK, still leak the original IP to the end so information is collected. However, the UI presents an environment free of the distractive mechanisms.
2026.04.30