As we have been warning, there is a global effort by governments around the world to censor and intervene in the internet using regulation and even coercion and threats to tech companies when they cannot push through regulation to impose censorship, as we have seen in the EU or in Brazil recently.

Proposals and laws are constantly being passed, from having to identify each user on a social network, to having to be identified to visit adult websites, as is the case in Spain and its comically dubbed by citizens: “pajaporte” (masturbation passport).

You can read in a little more detail how far this setback in freedom is progressing and how the last bastion of freedom, the internet, is being damaged. In this article.

Here we compile a list of tools that respect privacy to a greater or lesser extent and that are in many cases more resistant to censorship than the tools we usually use. However, using the tools listed below is not a panacea, rather, it is a first step to being shielded in terms of privacy and security on the network.

In an increasingly digitized world, it is essential to seek alternatives to conventional tools that prioritize user privacy, security, and freedom. Below, we present a non-exhaustive list of options that replace typical tools, offering greater control over your data and resistance to censorship:

Operating Systems

Operating systems are the foundation of our devices. Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android are the most popular, but they are not the only options. If you are looking for more control over your privacy and security, you can opt for open-source alternatives such as:

Linux (distributions like Ubuntu, Fedora, Debian): Robust and versatile operating systems, with a large community of users and developers.
BSD (FreeBSD, OpenBSD): Operating systems known for their security and stability.

Web Browsers

We use web browsers to access the internet, and options like Chrome, Safari, and Edge are the most common. However, these collect a large amount of data about our online activity. For more private and secure browsing, you can opt for:

Firefox: Open-source browser with a strong focus on privacy.
Brave: Browser that blocks ads and trackers by default, offering a faster and more private browsing experience.
Tor Browser: Browser that allows you to access the “dark web” and bypass censorship by routing traffic through a network of volunteer servers.
Ungoogled Chromium: Version of Chromium without Google’s tracking features.

Cloud Storage

Today we use applications like Google Drive, OneDrive, or Dropbox to store our files in the cloud. These applications are very useful for all kinds of backups, file sharing, etc. However, although they are useful and convenient, they have a counterpart: being free, your data is largely the product. While it is true that they also have paid versions, in most cases it does not avoid the former. Therefore, if you want to protect your privacy you can use tools like:

ProtonDrive: Easy to use, cloud-based, free up to 1GB from the reputable Swiss company Proton. It allows end-to-end encryption and integrates with other Proton services.
Nextcloud: Self-hosted, requires spending time and technical knowledge for its configuration. It offers total control over your data and great flexibility.
Syncthing: Peer-to-peer file synchronization tool, without the need for a centralized server. Ideal for sharing files securely and privately with friends and family.
Seafile: Open-source cloud storage solution, with self-hosting options and paid plans. It offers a good balance between ease of use and security.
Tresorit: Cloud storage service with a strong focus on security and zero-knowledge encryption.

Office Suite

Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and iWork are the most popular office suites, but there are open-source alternatives that offer similar functionality without compromising your privacy:

LibreOffice: Complete and free office suite, compatible with Microsoft Office file formats.
OnlyOffice: Online and desktop office suite, with a focus on collaboration and compatibility with Microsoft Office.
FreeOffice: Free office suite for personal and commercial use, with an interface similar to Microsoft Office.
Calligra Suite: Open-source office suite with a focus on creativity and design.

Email

Gmail, Outlook, and Yahoo Mail are the most widely used email services, but they collect a lot of information about our emails and contacts. For greater privacy, you can opt for:

ProtonMail: End-to-end encrypted email service based in Switzerland.
Tutanota: Open-source encrypted email service with a focus on security and privacy.
Mailfence: Secure and private email service based in Belgium.
Posteo: Anonymous and privacy-respecting email service based in Germany.

Instant Messaging:

WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and iMessage are the most popular instant messaging applications, but not all offer end-to-end encryption by default. For more secure communication, you can opt for:
Signal: Instant messaging application with end-to-end encryption and a strong focus on privacy.