Big tech companies are hell-bent on taking away our agency and forcing us to use their surveillance-based services, apps, and devices. It’s hard to fight against, and it often feels much easier to give in, accept their walled gardens, and move on with our lives. But we don’t have to stand in the middle of the information super highway and let companies run us over. With a little work, we can stand our ground and take control over what happens with our data. This month—Opt Out October—we’re walking through some of the steps to do just that.
Last year, we detailed 22 daily tips to trim down the amount of data that’s collected about you or available online, throwing sand in the gears of corporate surveillance. Those steps are still worth taking. This year we’re looking to abandon those gears altogether and cut that data collection off at the head. On the left, find links for guides to tell artificial intelligence (AI) tools they can’t train on your data, as well as tips to find alternative software, social media, and even new operating systems that provide stronger privacy and better ways to control how your data is used.
Opting out isn’t about disengaging with computers or the internet. It’s about finding alternatives that align with your values and needs. But it takes effort. The major tech companies have tried to suck all the air out of the room by claiming that it’s inevitable you’ll use their platforms. They’ve installed their own software and made it difficult to change the defaults. This can make it difficult to find alternatives. But not impossible. While EFF does not endorse specific products, we can be a guiding light towards your options.
Today is the beginning of your journey. Welcome to Opt Out October.