Google has thoroughly entrenched itself into so many areas of tech users' everyday life with their search and assortment of apps that it can be difficult to find a way to completely separate oneself from their products, according to The Wall Street Journal. For those interested in privacy, avoiding Google should be a top priority as they collect even more data than Facebook who recently came under scrutiny for the same practice. Unfortunately, even without owning a Google-created product such as a Chromebook or Chromecast, many people will have to drastically change the software they use for using the internet, email, media, and productivity to avoid the company's influence.
Starting with the internet, approximately 90 percent of worldwide search is handled by Google while its browser, Chrome, commands about 57 percent usage, according to Statcounter. This dominance means that many businesses will optimize their products and services around Google so that they will not lose out on traffic and users. As a search alternative, Duckduckgo promises never to track or collect user's search data and has a browser extension that stops others from doing so. To access the internet, Mozilla's Firefox enables antitracking by default but likely won't be as compatible with all web applications.
Finding ways to enjoy media will be a mixed bag for those trying to ditch Google as the most prominent online video streamer, YouTube, does not have a solid competitor in the market with the same level of content. To access other streaming services like Hulu, however, the Roku box is an excellent option over the Chromecast although it might not connect with mobile devices as seamlessly. Amazon's AI offering, Alexa, also does a fantastic job through their Echo devices at finding and playing music wirelessly.
Those working at companies that rely heavily on Google's 'G Suite' of productivity apps might not be allowed to disconnect, but if flexibility is an option then Microsoft's original Excel, Word, and Outlook apps are more than capable of handling any work-related tasks. For online connectivity, Dropbox Paper has options for collaboration and real-time editing of a team's collected material.
