Your calendar is so much more than a list of appointments. When you manage your appointments and contacts on major U.S. tech platforms such as Apple, Google, or Microsoft, you’re feeding these corporations details about your daily life – and the contact information of your family and friends! So if you want to take back control of your appointments and contact information, you’ve come to the right place. Because of open standards (“CalDAV” and “CardDAV” are formats that are understood by almost all calendars and address books) you are not bound to a single provider. Your freed appointments and dates run smoothly on Linux (switch recipe Windows to Linux), Windows, macOS, Android or iOS.

Ingredients

• 1 pinch of trust in open-source applications: for more transparency and control of your address book and your calendar
• 1 new "home" for your data: with a provider that protects your data better
• Your existing calendar and contact files: as exports in .ics- and .vcf-format from Google, Apple, or Microsoft
• 1 program to use calendar and contacts: DAVx5, for example, on your phone, Thunderbird on your desktop computer – a handy “bridge” for syncing contacts and calendars across devices

Preparation

1. Choose the right foundation
   Choose an option that fits your lifestyle: Many European providers offer privacy-friendly (GDPR-compliant) data clouds for your calendars and address books, some even with a moving service: You can choose freely, for example Mailbox.org, Posteo, Proton, Disroot or Tuta (on the phone Tuta can only be used with the Tuta app because of the encryption technology). If you are already a customer of the provider’s email services, consider using it for contacts and calendars as well. (Advanced users may use their own data cloud for their calendar – Nextcloud offers their own calendar modules. Here’s the switch recipe.)
2. Remove from the oven (Export your data)
   Log in to your old provider (Google/iCloud/Outlook) and export your calendar as a file (the file name usually ends in “.ics”) as well as the contacts as vCard (“.vcf”). The process is always very similar: Open the relevant calendar/contacts section in the web interface or program, then download a file via Settings/More/Export. Example Google: Go to calendar.google.com on your PC and sign in. Tap the gear icon in the top right corner → click Settings. Select “Import & Export” on the left. Click export in the “Export” section. A ZIP-file will be downloaded that includes a single or several .ics-files. Individual calendars as an alternative: Select the calendar in the left column, go to calendar settings, and click “Export this calendar”. Contacts as .vcf (Google Contacts) Go to calendar.google.com and sign in with your Google account. Select a contact list or “All Contacts” on the left, if necessary, tick the checkboxes to select specific contacts if required. Select “More / … → Export” from the menu. Select “vCard” (for Android or iOS) as the export format. Start downloading the contacts.vcf file. Whether they’re calendar files or contacts, they’ll end up in your “Downloads” folder.
3. Into the oven (Import your data)
   Upload the downloaded files to your new provider. Your appointments and contacts are now integrated into a system that does not collect data.
4. Adjustment phase
   Set aside some time for preparation so that you can get used to the new environment.
5. Adding flavour
   Synchronisation across several devices, such as your cell phone, uses open standards. For Android phones, you can download the app „DAVx5“ – with additional charges via Google Play, free of charge in the alternative app store F-Droid. DAVx5 is the convenient “bridge” for syncing contacts and calendars across devices (detailed instructions for DAVx5). Install the app, add your new provider’s account – and your contacts and calendars will appear on your phone. You can now see your appointments in your calendar app – we recommend Etar, for example, to replace the Google app. For Apple phones (iOS), you don’t need an app. In iOS, you can set up the account with the new calendar provider at “Mail/Accounts → Add Account → Other → CalDAV/CardDAV”. On the computer (Linux, Windows, Apple), you can either manage calendars and contacts in the browser of your choice (see browser recipe) or use a program such as Thunderbird

Topping

The first choice for being completely independent is your own cloud such as Nextcloud. In addition to a full-featured calendar or address book, it offers so much more: a home for your files, documents, and even video calls and conferences. Nextcloud is easy to run on your own server or a rented one. You’ll find all the details – and further options – in our switch recipe.

Imagine this: For years you’ve entrusted your most important files, photos, and documents (and maybe even sensitive passwords) to big corporations such as Apple, Google, Microsoft or Dropbox – without knowing whether these companies may share your data with U.S. authorities. Sounds like a bad movie? Well, it’s the reality. With the Cloud Act, U.S. companies can be forced to share your data with government agencies – even if this data is stored in European data centres. And they do this without informing or warning you beforehand. A real nightmare for anyone who takes their privacy seriously. But you have several options to get back control: With the right alternatives, you can put your data in safe hands – protected by European regulations (GDPR) and independent. No longer dependent on giants, no more worries about unauthorized access – the result: digital freedom. If you no longer want to park your data on servers of U.S. corporations, where it is often only accessible through a subscription or mandatory cloud usage, choose a free alternative.

Ingredients

• Your data: Photos, texts, spreadsheets, books – whatever you saved digitally.
• Your access to your current provider: Google, Apple or Microsoft, for example
• Your new provider: We recommend, for example, Proton Drive, Mailbox.org, pCloud or ionos Cloud.

Preparation

1. Store your data in the pantry (Download)
   Log in to your current provider’s platform. Google Drive Go to takeout.google.com, choose “Drive”, and download your data as a ZIP-file. OneDrive by Microsoft Open onedrive.live.com, click on “Settings”, then on “Options”, and finally on “Download data“. Apple The quickest way is via privacy.apple.com – here you can request a copy of all your Apple-data with a couple of clicks. You’ll then get it via a download link.  If you want to decide for yourself which data you take with you, you can also do that manually: Go to “Settings” (iPhone, iPad) or “System settings” (Mac) and tap the profile of your Apple ID at the top. Choose “iCloud” and then “Manage storage”. Here, you can also see an overview of your stored data, including your backups. Choose the files you would like to copy. In the “Edit” menu, click “Copy [elements]”. Move the files to the new location. This also works in your browser if you’ve granted access to your data: Sign in to icloud.com with your Apple ID. Click iCloud Drive (documents) and photos (photos/videos). Select the relevant files/folders. Click the download icon (downward arrow) to download them to your computer. Alternatively, use the app “iCloud for Windows” to back up your data locally. Important note: When you use this method, Apple doesn’t allow to download all the data at once – you have to export the data category by category. Dropbox Go to dropbox.com, click your profile picture, select “Settings” and then “Export data”. If your data exceeds 10 GB, use the “Share” function, and download it in larger batches.
2. Unpack
   If you’ve downloaded a file that ends in “.zip”, extract it on your computer (right-click and select “extract here”).
3. Declutter your pantry (Pre-sort your data)
   Reorganize your data, you may delete duplicate backups, for example (to save storage space). Clean up – with new folders such as “Work”, “Private”, “Creative” or “Photos” – whatever your heart desires.
4. Choose your new cloud (GDPR-compliant and easy)
   These alternatives are not only GDPR-compliant, but also user-friendly (there are many other providers – here are more Alternatives): Proton Drive – a Suisse cloud service with end-to-end encryption that is as easy to use as Dropbox but more secure. Prices start at € 3.99, and you can upload your data using drag & drop. Drive by Mailbox.org – a German cloud provider that not only offers storage space but also email, calendar, and contacts. Perfect for anyone who is looking for a one-stop solution. Monthly costs are at € 3.00. pCloud – another Suisse cloud provider. You pay a one-time or a monthly fee and you get up to 2 terabytes “lifetime” storage space – with servers in Germany or Europe. Perfect for anyone who wants to avoid subscription traps. ionos Cloud – a German cloud provider that, however, requires technical knowledge and is – in our view – not exactly straightforward to set-up.
5. Stock your new pantry
   Upload your photos and other documents and files to the cloud of your new provider (make sure to keep a backup on an external drive). The providers often offer their own tips and tricks. There are several ways. Browser upload – for smaller amounts of data or if  you want to quickly back up individual folders: Sign in: Log in to your account on Proton Drive, mailbox.org, or elsewhere. Drag & drop: You can usually simply drag your files or entire folders from the Explorer (Windows) or the Finder (macOS) into the browser window. Confirm: Wait until the upload progress bar is complete. Done! Desktop synchronisation – often more reliable than uploading via browser, especially for large files: If you have a lot of data or if you would like your local computer to always be up to date with your cloud, you should install a program that handles the synchronisation for you (“Client”): Installation: Download the desktop clients from your provider (e.g. the Proton Drive app). Setup: Enter your login information in the app. Transfer: Simply copy your downloaded data into the new cloud folder on your PC. The software will upload everything in the background.

Topping

Instead of renting a cloud, you could also let your own data cloud fly: If you asked us, the simplest way to do that is Nextcloud – an open-source collaboration platform that can do (almost) anything: files, office programs, chat, videocalls, and more. You can rent a Nextcloud or host one yourself (e.g., on a Raspberry Pi or a rented server). Our recipe explains how to prepare Nextcloud.

If you would like to have calendars, data, chats and more in one place, there are multiple options: You can rent complete workplace tools from providers such as mailbox.org, Ionos or Proton. Or you can set up your own cloud – maybe for the whole family or your small business. This is possible with a Nextcloud, the new provider OpenCloud develops something similar. By the way: The company Nextcloud lets you try out your own cloud for your company. The open source alternative to iCloud, Google Drive, and Teams complies with European law (GDPR). And the installation is easier than you think! Here, you’ll learn how to do it and how you get control of your digital independence with Nextcloud, a platform developed in Germany.

Ingredients

• 1 provider: as a home for your cloud
• 1 serving of curiosity : because self-hosting is always a little adventure
• 1 computer: for installation and usage

Preparation

1. Rent the cloud
   You can rent your cloud pre-configured and ready to use. Most providers take care of updates and regular backups of your data – you are not primarily an administrator, but above all a user. Some providers of this service: MagentaCloud by Telekom is a German cloud with Nexcloud integration and 15 GB free storage space for Telekom customers, 3 GB for non-customers (can be upgraded up to 1 TB). Prices start at €1.95/month for 100 GB. So MagentaCloud is especially interesting for Telekom customers. Ossrox is a German provider with a focus on data privacy and GDPR. Prices start at €4,99/month for 5 GB storage and are scalable up to 1 TB. There is a 14-day free trial period. Ionos is another German provider that offers Nextcloud as part of its cloud portfolio. Prices start at €4.90 per month for 10 GB of storage. ionos provides German servers and easy set-up. Mail.de is a German email and cloud provider that offers Nextcloud as part of its package. Prices start at €5.00 per month for 10 GB storage, including email, calendars, and contacts. Mail.de combines cloud storage with secure email services. Choose a provider and book a Nextcloud package. Follow the setup assistant, register, and set up an admin account. Start uploading your data right away. And you’re done! You now have a fully functional, GDPR-compliant cloud – without the need for server administration.
2. Setting up Nextcloud – Getting started
   Now let’s get down to business: Installing apps (as needed): Nextcloud is modular – You can install only those apps that you really need. Popular apps are OnlyOffice or Collabora for office documents, Nextcloud Talk for video calls and chats, Contacts & Calendars for address book and calendars, Notes for notes, Deck for project management, Photos for photos, and News for RSS feeds. Go to “Apps” in the Nextcloud web surface (on the left side of the sidebar). Search for the app you want and click “Install”. Migrating data: Transferring old data from the cloud backup to Nextcloud (our Cloud Recipe) offers help). Migrating contacts & calendars: (see Calendar Recipe): in Nextcloud, go to ”Contacts” or “Calendar”. Click “Import” and select the exported .vcf/.ics file. Downloading apps: download Nextcloud-desktop program (for Windows, macOS or Linux) or the Nextcloud app (for your Android phone or iPhone). There are several other apps for phones and desktop that “talk to” the Nextcloud modules: including Nextcloud Talk (for chat and video conference), Passwords (for passwords) or Deck (for project management). Setting up synchronisation: Connect the mobile apps or desktop programs that you installed to your cloud. To do this, enter the web address of your cloud – you’ll be asked for your username and password. Select which folders you want to sync. Go to Calendar Recipe for our tips on how to sync calendar data and contacts to your phone.

Dessert

• Security & backups for long-term enjoyment: Set up two-factor authentication for added security (“Settings” > “Security” and set up 2FA). Make sure to back up your data regularly (automatically or manually). Update Nextcloud and your server software on a regular basis (with a hosted Nextcloud, the provider often handles this automatically).

Topping

If you want to dive even deeper, you can host your own Nextcloud. The Open-Source-Software can be installed on every server in the web or at home. Some providers (such as Hetzner Cloud, Webgo or All-inkl) allow one-click installation (“1-click-install”); others require more in-depth knowledge. Mike Kuketz published a Nextcloud Tutorial on his blog. In addition to Nextcloud, you can also store your data at home on your own “NAS” (Network Attached Storage), a drive that can be accessed by multiple computers on the network. Some providers of this service include Synology, Ugreen, or FRITZ with the Fritz!NAS.

Windows is working hard to collect user data: which apps you use and when, and in some cases even details from documents. These can't be used without a Windows account – and once you’re caught up in the Big Tech ecosystem, it’s hard to get out. This recipe is perfect for anyone who wants to ban Microsoft from their kitchen but is still suffering from FOMO. The secret: We prepare Linux, the fancy Open Source system, in such a way that you can taste the difference before you get rid of Windows completely.

Ingredients

• 1 USB stick: 8 GB, at least
• 1 serving of Linux Mint: We recommend the flavour “Cinnamon” because it looks very familiar to Windows users.
• 1 etcher: The program ‘BalenaEtcher’ (‘Rufus’ works too) to prepare the stick (to make it bootable).
• 1 existing Windows system (10 or 11) to prepare the ingredient: Or you could start by using an older PC that’s really happy to run the new Linux Mint since it’s supposedly “too slow” for Windows 11 – according to Microsoft.
• No fear, only curiosity: Nothing bad can happen because we are working in trial mode. We still recommend backing up your data – this will never hurt!

Preparation

1. Prepare the USB stick
   Instead of installing Linux directly, we create a ‘live system’ for testing. It’s like tasting something in the grocery store: you can see and use everything, but nothing will be permanently changed on your computer. Download Linux Mint from the official site – a so-called ISO image. Flash a USB stick with ‘Rufus’ or ‘BalenaEtcher’. To do this, start one of the two programs, select the downloaded ISO image, and click “Start”. The program then simply copies the downloaded ISO image to the USB stick as it would to a regular hard drive. You can even put several Linux variants on the stick at the same time and ‘taste’ them one at a time.
2. Start sample tasting
   Now the moment of truth has arrived. It might be a bit more complicated but it’s totally risk-free: Tell your computer to boot from the USB drive (instead of from the hard drive): Restart your computer and select the USB stick as the boot device. To do this, you have to access the BIOS, your basic hardware menu (usually by pressing the F12, F11 or Del key during startup, possibly several times). In the Boot menu, select the USB stick or move it up to first place (detailed instructions are also available in this blog). Enjoy the live system: Linux Mint now starts completely from the USB stick. Your Windows data will remain untouched on the hard drive while you're trying out Linux Mint. The hardware check: Check if Wi-Fi, sound, and Bluetooth are working properly. Since Linux now comes with most drivers pre-installed, it usually works right away.
3. Have a look around your new kitchen
   Take your time to do some “test cooking” in “live mode”: Menu navigation: Click the Start menu at the bottom left (with the LM symbol for Linux Mint): It feels almost like Windows, except without the data disclosure and other annoying Microsoft quirks. Software shelf: open application management. Here, you’ll find all your programs from LibreOffice to Firefox to Steam (for Gaming) – as easy to navigate as an app store.
4. Season to taste (When will it get serious?)
   Then you can decide whether to completely say goodbye to Windows or macOS once you feel absolutely confident with the live system and have tested everything. The backup is now a must-have ingredient: Before you start the “actual” installation, back up your data to an external hard drive. Installation: click the desktop in the live system (from the USB stick) on the “Install Linux Mint” icon. The assistant will guide you through the steps – from now on your computer will always start with Linux Mint!

Dessert

• Risk-free testing: With the USB stick option, you can try out Linux for a few days or weeks without having to delete Windows right away.
• Digital sovereignty: You decide which data you want to share. No annoying pop-ups for ad tracking or account requirements.
• Sustainability: Linux Mint often runs on hardware that is supposedly “too old” for Windows 11. That means it could save your trusted laptop or desktop computer from ending up as e-scrap.

Topping

For the cautious: You can also test Linux Mint in a browser first. Or buy a device that already comes with Linux pre-installed: here is a good overview of retailers. For the brave: There are many different Linux distributions – designed specifically for gaming or other purposes. You can find out which one suits you best at Distrochooser. For everyone: Gather a couple of friends around your kitchen table for a “Linux tasting session”. And if you need help with seasoning: Join one of the Linux switching meetups at termine.di.day. There, you’ll meet very friendly kitchen helpers. For Apple users: For macOS devices, the switch can be easy, but it can also get a bit more complicated – it all depends on the device. We’ll save those details for another recipe.

If you use Google or Apple Maps, you are essentially paying with your location data. OpenStreetMap (OSM), on the other hand, is the “Wikipedia of Maps”: collaborative, transparent, and privacy-friendly. This recipe shows you how to make the switch without feeling lost if you decide to use the “Wikipedia of maps.”

Ingredients

• 1 smartphone: Android or iOS
• 1 OSM app of your choice: For beginners: Organic Maps, CoMaps (fast, user-friendly, completely offline) For professionals: OsmAnd (wide-ranging functionality, multiple levels)
• Your Google account data: … if you want to export saved locations. With Apple, unfortunately, the export process is more complicated.

Preparation

1. Select the right app
   Apple/Google Maps are all-in-one solutions. In the OSM world, you choose the app that suits your style. Download CoMaps or Organic Maps, if you simply want to get from A to B with no stress, or OsmAnd, if you are looking for walking routes and the smallest details.
2. Add map material to the recipe (offline first!)
   Unlike Google Maps, OSM apps require you to download map data in advance. Open the app and download data, for example for your state or region. The advantage: from now on, you can navigate smoothly without using any data – even in areas with no cell service.
3. Relocate your favorite places (optional)
   Do you have a lot of stars on Google Maps? Unfortunately, based on our research, Apple only allows you to copy bookmarks one by one into the new app. With Android, you can do this in bulk: On your PC, go to Google Takeout. Just select “Maps (your places)” and create the export. You will receive a file with the extension .json or .kml. You can now email this file to yourself and import it into Organic Maps or OsmAnd as a “bookmark” or “track”.
4. Replace the standard app
   Don’t delete Google or Apple Maps right away, but move the app off your home screen. Place your new OSM app exactly where the Google icon used to be. Your habits will automatically lead you there in the first few days.

Dessert

• Enjoy the new feeling...: … of no longer being tracked with every step you take. You'll notice that the maps are often more detailed when it comes to sidewalks, house numbers, or small POIs (points of interest). (This recipe was written for us by DI.DAY fan Olaf Zelesnik.)
• Other alternatives that are less highly recommended...: … in our view: The Dutch company HereWeGo (originally Nokia Maps) is backed by a consortium including Audi, BMW, and Mercedes Benz. It uses its own map data, but transmits user data to Facebook, Google, and others. Location and traffic data are collected anonymously. We also do not recommend Waze (part of the Google group) or MapsMe, either, because they track users. Even the outdoor app Komoot connects to Google, Facebook, and other servers and transmits data.

Topping

The small Berlin-based service lokjo focuses on local retailers and businesses based on OSM – and, according to the company, does so without cookies or tracking. If you notice that a new bakery on your street is missing, you can even add it to OpenStreetMap yourself. This way, you go from being a consumer to a co-creator of the world map. It’s really fun to use on Android devices with the Street Complete app, where you can help with map information in your area. You can even earn a badge of honor!

We are finally making our own soup, even when it comes to word processing, spreadsheets, or presentations: Because with Microsoft we are trapped in a closed system that's often only accessible through a subscription and mandatory cloud use (risk of data leakage and misuse!). If you'd like to write your documents in the future without using the cloud and sharing your personal data, you can switch to free office suites:

Ingredients

• 1 serving of trust in open source: for transparency and control over your own content.
• Season to taste: Your documents in the new (.odt) or old Microsoft format (.docx, .xlsx or .pptx, see below).

Preparation

1. Choose the right foundation
   Choose one of the following options: LibreOffice: The number one choice for independence! The program is maintained by the open-source community, it is unlimited, completely free, and runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux. Collabora Online & Collabora Office: If you need to collaborate in the browser. It uses the core of LibreOffice and can be run on your own servers (e.g. with Nextcloud). The same software can also be used on desktops and mobile devices. SoftMaker Office: The professional solution from Germany (Nuremberg). It offers an outstanding Microsoft-style interface and a high level of data protection – for a low monthly subscription fee. We currently don't recommend OnlyOffice – a suite of open-source programs that is heavily inspired by Microsoft’s style and is integrated into many Nextcloud installations: Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, sanctions have been imposed on the company, which has ties to Russia (background sources for this include TU Berlin).
2. Serving & getting used to
   Installation: Download your package from the manufacturer's website and install it on your computer. Open files: The alternatives can read and write Microsoft formats (see below).
3. Season to taste
   Getting used to: Set aside some time as the details and workflows may differ from Word or Excel. Teamwork: If you want to edit documents simultaneously with others, you'll need a browser-based solution like Collabora. This is because locally installed programs don’t usually support this type of collaboration.

Dessert

• Platform-independent: An open standard that works equally well on Windows, macOS, and Linux.
• Independent: Unlike Microsoft formats, ODF is not maintained by a single corporation but by a large community. This ensures long-term readability and transparency.
• A widely used standard: Programs such as LibreOffice use ODF as their default format. SoftMaker Office and FreeOffice can also edit and save documents in this format.
• Future-proof: Since the code is open-source, you don’t have to worry whether a particular company will still exist in ten years’ time to open your old letters or spreadsheets.

Topping

While the alternatives mentioned – such as LibreOffice, SoftMaker, or OnlyOffice – are highly compatible with Microsoft formats (.docx, .xlsx, .pptx), saving in the OpenDocument format (.odt for text documents) is the most reliable way to avoid “format chaos” in the long run!

We roll our own sushi – and pay for it ourselves! This recipe shows you how to free yourself from U.S. payment giants that sell your data and charge retailers large fees. As a result, commerce and payment transactions in Europe today are also heavily dependent on U.S. sanctions or corporate decisions made in California. If you want to switch to a secure, fair, and completely European system, you can follow this recipe – even if Wero doesn't have the necessary reach yet. But more retailers are gradually joining the platform.

Ingredients

• 1 existing checking account:: a participating bank (currently Sparkasse, Volksbank, Postbank, GLS, ING-Diba. More banks are participating soon – you can see which ones here).
• 1 generous pinch of cost advantage: Wero is significantly cheaper for businesses than PayPal, which helps support fair pricing in the long run.

Preparation

1. Activate the "carrier" (Prepare)
   Unlike PayPal, you don’t need to download a new third-party app for Wero and enter your details there. Wero is integrated directly into your trusted bank’s app (if your bank offers Wero). Open your banking app. Search for “Wero” (often found under “Send & Receive” or “Mobile payment”). Activate the service with just a few clicks. Done!
2. Send money in real time (Serve)
   Wero uses SEPA Instant Credit Transfer. This means your money reaches the recipient in under ten seconds – 24/7, 365 days a year. All you need is the recipient’s cell phone number or email address. The money flows directly from account to account without being “parked” in an intermediary account, and certainly not with a U.S. corporation.
3. Online shopping & retail (Season to taste)
   Online: Look for the Wero logo at checkout. Retailers like eventim are already on board. Lidl, Decathlon, Rossmann or Otto are coming soon. Similar to credit cards or PayPal, Wero can then be used to pay for online purchases. In-store: Starting this year, you'll also be able to pay directly with Wero for more and more in-store purchases. Borderless: Wero is pan-European. The integration of systems from Belgium, France, and the Netherlands creates a real network in all of Europe.
4. What if Wero isn't accepted?
   Payments made via direct debit (SEPA direct debit) or by invoice followed by a bank transfer are also independent of corporate groups. The Consumer Protection Agency sees payment provider Klarna as having both advantages and disadvantages.

Topping

Enjoy your meal! Making payments with Wero is GDPR-compliant, secure, and supports the European economy. So, open your banking app now and activate Wero. Next time you need to make a small payment (e.g. when you have coffee with friends), don't use PayPal – send it directly through Wero!

The web browsers Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, and Safari (Apple) dominate the internet. They are almost all based on the same technology (Chromium) – meaning that Google sets the standards on the web. Firefox is one of the last major bastions (open source, provided by the non-profit organisation Mozilla Foundation), committed to an open web. If you‘d like to switch to Firefox, you can get started:

Ingredients

• 1 computer or smartphone:
• The download link: mozilla.org/firefox

Preparation

1. Download Firefox and start the installation
   
2. The most important step (import)
   The first time you launch Firefox (or later under Settings → Import and Backup), it will ask you if you want to import data from another browser. Select Chrome or Edge.
3. Tick the boxes for bookmarks, passwords, and history
   
4. Click import
   And just like that – everything is where it should be, safe and sound in a loving home.
5. Set Firefox as your default browser
   (system settings)

Dessert

• Ad blocker: Install the uBlock Origin ad blocker as an add-on in Firefox. Chrome plans to technically restrict such effective blockers – Firefox guarantees that you will continue to have complete control over ads.
• Alternatives: Info on other browser alternatives, such as Brave or Tor browsers, can be found in this blog, for example. Incidentally, the author Mike Kuketz also takes a rather critical view of the Vivaldi browser here.

Topping

By default, Firefox prevents “fingerprinting” (the identification of your device by third parties). By using Firefox, you‘re helping to ensure that the internet doesn‘t fall completely into Google‘s hands. Are you already using Firefox? Excellent! But Mozilla is increasingly integrating marketing features and telemetry. For true independence, you can switch to LibreWolf, the Firefox that doesn’t “phone home“. And for those who want to dive deeper into the technical side, there’s the Ungoogled Chromium browser, which uses Chrome’s source code but has been surgically stripped of all Google services, tracking, and phone-home functions. If you want to go even deeper, you’ll find detailed browser reviews here. Important: Where possible, don’t use any of the new AI browsers, as they fail on data protection! Browsers that have AI deeply integrated (such as Comet, Arc with Arc Max, or Edge with Copilot) are based on a trade-off: convenience in exchange for data. The problem: For the AI to summarise your website or answer questions about it, the content of the website (and your context) has to be sent to the servers of the AI providers (OpenAI, Anthropic, Microsoft).

Free? Only on the surface: You pay for using Google‘s Gmail with your data. After all, your email address is part of your digital identity. In contrast to Google, other providers respect their users’ freedom of choice: They charge a small monthly fee (around €1 to €3), but are ad-free, securely encrypted, and operate under strict EU data protection laws. There, you are the customer, not the product. If you’ve made up your mind to go for it, you can get started:

Ingredients

• €1 per month:
• 1 account: For example, with Posteo.de (green, secure, anonymous), Mailbox.org (secure email from Germany), Proton.me (Swiss, strong encryption), or Tuta (consistently encrypted, based in Hanover, Germany). A list of additional trustworthy providers can be found in this blog (Mike Kuketz) or at Digitalcourage.

Preparation

1. Create an account with a new provider
   
2. The relocation service
   Almost all reputable providers offer a “relocation service“. You enter your Gmail details, and the new provider automatically transfers all your old emails and folders.
3. Address book
   Export your contacts in Google (google.com/contacts) as vCard or CSV. Import this file into the webmail section of your new provider.
4. Automatic reply
   Set up an automatic reply in Gmail: “I'm moving! From now on, please email me at [new address].”

Topping

Posteo.de and Mailbox.org use 100% green electricity and are politically committed to data protection. Proton.me offers a free basic version if you are on a tight budget.

Amazon is destroying local businesses and often uses its market power against publishers and employees. But local bookstores can get almost any book to you by the next day – often faster than “Prime” shipping! And book signings and author events only happen at the store down the street anyway. So if you'd like to buy your books there in the future – let's go:

Ingredients

• The title of a book:
• A bookstore or an online platform: You know your local bookstore, right? If not: A platform like buchkatalog.de or geniallokal.de can help you find one. However, both sites only list a selection of independent bookstores in Germany. Major German online retailers also offer good service – the two largest ones are Thalia and Hugendubel.

Preparation

1. Start a search
   Go to buchkatalog.de or genialokal.de. Wholesaler Libri also lets you search for your favourite bookstore.
2. Enter your book and zip code
   
3. Check inventory
   The sites show you which bookstores near you have the book in stock or can order it by tomorrow.
4. Order it online ("Click & Collect" or "For Pick Up")
   or have the bookstore send it to you (many offer free shipping!).
5. Or if you want to be really revolutionary...
   Why don't you visit the bookstore! No algorithm will ever replace the advice of a real human being!

Topping

You are supporting your local economy and paying taxes in your own community instead of funding Jeff Bezos' next space trip. German Books are subject to fixed pricing – so on Amazon they are not a cent cheaper than in the bookstore!

Google Search provides results that aren't tailored to you – but to the needs of Google’s advertisers. To do this, Google tracks what you search for, when you search for it, and what you click on. If you want to break free from this, you can choose search engines that respect you and your privacy (or even plant trees). These have pros and cons, but in our view, they are definitely more focused on the common good than the market leaders. By the way – having diverse search engines is a prerequisite for a pluralist democracy: Only when we strengthen them, can they build their own infrastructure.

Ingredients

• Your browser (whether on your phone or computer):
• Deciding on an alternative: for example: Ecosia.org: A European search engine that uses results from Google, Microsoft Bing, and European Search Perspective (ESP, European search index together with Qwant). According to the company, 100 percent of its profits go toward environmental protection, especially tree planting projects. Some critics have raised concerns about the optional, energy-intensive AI search feature. Qwant, a French search engine that provides Bing and ESP results, has set up a French search index together with Ecosia. Qwant claims that privacy is important and that users are not tracked. Startpage.com/de: Delivers Google results but anonymised. So Google doesn’t know who did the search. MetaGer.de: a German meta search engine (Verein SUMA-EV) that combines results from various search engines, though it now charges a fee. Data protection “Made in Germany” and non-profit. DuckDuckGo.com: the classic search engine from the U.S. It primarily displays Bing results. They don’t disclose the proportion of results from their own crawlers. And there is a strong focus on user privacy. Some view the click-through, energy-intensive AI search feature critically.

Preparation

1. Open your browser settings
   
2. Look for "Search engine" in the menu
   (usually found under “Search” or “Privacy”)
3. Select your new default search engine from the list
   (e.g. MetaGer, Ecosia, Qwant, Startpage, or DuckDuckGo)
4. If it's not listed,
   go to the search engine website – it often asks directly: “Add to Chrome/Firefox?”. Click “Yes”.

Topping

If possible, avoid using any of the new AI browsers as they fall short when it comes to data privacy. More on that in the ‘Chrome to Firefox’ recipe.

Signal offers everything you're used to from WhatsApp – but without any commercial interests and with greater respect for you and your data. A huge number of people are already using Signal. The app is ad-free and doesn't share your data. It is also end-to-end encrypted and is regularly audited by independent experts. If you decide to switch to Signal, you can start right away:

Preparation

1. Sign up using your phone number
   This is for identification purposes only; it won't be visible to others later.
2. See which of your contacts are already on Signal
   The easiest way to do this is to allow Signal to access your phone contacts (address book). Signal will then automatically show you who's already on the app by using a small padlock symbol.
3. That's it! You are now on Signal!
   

Dessert

• It’s very easy to invite friends to join Signal, too: Once you've imported your contacts, Signal creates a message for you.
• Move your groups to Signal: Create a new group in Signal with your contacts, activate the “group link”, and share it in your old WhatsApp group – that makes it easy for members to join.
• Enable ‘Disappearing messages’ for sensitive chats: They delete themselves automatically after a customisable period (5 seconds to 4 weeks). This can be adjusted at any time per individual chat or across all chats.
• Delete WhatsApp when you're ready: First deactivate or completely delete your account, then uninstall the app from your device. This ensures that your account is permanently removed from the WhatsApp servers and your data will no longer be synchronised.

Topping

There are, of course, alternatives to Signal if you are interested: Threema or Element (messaging via the Matrix system). The Initiative Free Messenger and others recommend messengers based on the XMPP standards (and true connoisseurs can host both Matrix and XMPP servers themselves).

Elon Musk has transformed X (formerly known as Twitter) into a platform where (far-right) hate speech and disinformation take centre stage. Mastodon is pretty much the opposite – and better! A network of many small communities (“decentralised”), mostly ad-free, controlled by the users. There's no algorithm designed to make you angry – you see what your friends are posting, in chronological order, and a relaxed way. Start here if you want to switch to Mastodon:

Preparation

1. Choosing a server
   Go to joinmastodon.org or fedi.garden. Choose a home that meets your needs. (It’s not a decision you need to stick with forever – you can switch servers later, but you’ll take your followers and the people you follow with you!).
2. Create an account
   Sign up on your chosen server.
3. Download the app
   Download the official Mastodon app or (even better for pros) apps like ‘Tusky’ (Android) or ‘Ivory’ (iOS). Phanpy.social even works on the web and offers a transparent algorithm to help you catch up if you’ve lost track of your timeline.
4. Find friends
   Your timeline is empty to start with – but don’t worry! Follow accounts that you find interesting: Tools like Fedifinder help you find your old Twitter contacts on Mastodon. You can also find interesting accounts on Fediverse.info. Sorted by topic, you can follow multiple accounts with a single click: Starter packs.
5. Introducing yourself
   Write your first post (toot) with the hashtag #Newhere and briefly describe who you are. The community will be delighted to meet you.

Dessert

• Recipes for every occasion: are available online – for example, from Sascha Pallenberg, in videos by Digitalcourage, or also as a little booklet.
• Deactivate your X account: Leave a pinned tweet on your old X profile with your new Mastodon link. Delete the X app from your phone to escape the addictive algorithm.
• No algorithms: Enjoy the peace and quiet. No sponsored posts, no crypto ads – just a chronological timeline.

Topping

Mastodon is part of the “Fediverse”. This means that from here, you can also follow people who aren’t even on Mastodon, but who post photos on Pixelfed (a bit like Instagram) or videos on Peertube (a bit like YouTube), for example. You’re breaking down the walls of the “walled gardens”! Elena Rossini explains how the Fediverse works in this video.