Communication
Messaging is where Big Tech’s grip is most personal. Your network is the product. It is also where a single switch can make a huge difference, and it works best when done together with friends. AUC already proved a whole campus can be talked out of WhatsApp at once.
░░░ level 1 — an afternoon ▓░░ level 2 — a weekend ▓▓▓ level 3 — a project, do it with us
ditch: WhatsApp
try: Signal
an afternoon
- gain
- End-to-end encryption by default, run by a nonprofit, no Meta and no AI.
- lose
- You will spend social capital convincing friends to move.
ditch: Zoom / Teams
try: Jitsi Meet
five minutes
- gain
- Video calls in the browser, no account, no install.
- lose
- Very large calls handle worse than Zoom.
ditch: Gmail / Outlook
try: Proton or Tuta
a weekend
- gain
- Mail that is not scanned to profile you; easy aliases.
- lose
- A small yearly fee for the good ones, and a migration weekend.
ditch: Group chats on Big Tech
try: Matrix
an evening
- gain
- Decentralised rooms you can self-host or move; bridges to other networks.
- lose
- Setup can be confusing. Ask us for help if needed.