Do any of you ever feel the desire to go back to your “Google’d” existence? For some background, I have used Google for most of my life and have recently started following some privacy-oriented creators on YouTube. I created a Proton account and have started moving my stuff there but am still using a locked Pixel (will unlock when paid off).
It feels great to go with alternatives to Google (Proton, OpenStreetMap, OpenWeather) but there are definitely times when it feels burdensome. I am often tempted to sacrifice privacy for convenience and feel like there is no way to TRULY escape Google in my life.
Wasn’t sure if anyone felt the same way, or had any tips on following this privacy-focused lifecycle.
(I almost look at this like eating healthier–it feels great to do it, but seeing others in happy ignorance adds a challenge…)
At the beginning when I made my first steps to transition to a privacy focused digital life, I definitely had that temptation. But after rocking Lineage/Graphene for a while, whenever I had to come across stock OEM ROMs (new device or helping someone out). The amount of privacy banners/T&C’s and preinstalled suites they force onto you feel almost like losing control of a system you own and know inside out.
Maybe when you move to Graphene OS or find a complete set of alternative apps that are both functional and beautiful, you won’t miss going back.
Which phone are you using?
A second hand Pixel 6