Facebook, Google, Amazon, Microsoft and Apple. These are the five big tech companies in the world, that pretty much has a lot of influence on our digital lives. Is it possible to have a digital life without these big companies lurking?

This is my question and at the same time my challenge. My expectation is that this should be possible now, with the help of various technologies such as blockchain and other open source/libre software. However, it will not be easy. It won't be as convenient as going to Google for all your documents, for the maps, for the search, etc.

Therefore this will also be my challenge as I try to live without these companies. I'm going to search for alternative services that they provide. For example, Gmail. I've actually started with searching and using a different mail provider.

Mail

The mail and phone number are probably the 2 most important ID's to have in your online digital life. I mean, are there any accounts where you don't sign up with either your email or your phone number? I haven't seen many, that didn't require a mail address. I started my journey therefore with my email. Replacing Gmail with an alternative.

Own mail server

I've actually thought of setting up my own server, where I can have my own mail service. However, this looked too complicated to setup. The cost of setting up and maintaining it, didn't weigh up to the benefit of having it As a result, I decided to just look for an alternative mail provider.

ISP mail

My ISP offers up to 5 mail accounts. I tried to dig in to the privacy specifics. However, I was lost in the legalistic terms quite fast. I eventually decided not to use a mail account as I want it to be independent from where I get my internet. If I decide to change ISP, I wouldn't be able to change ISP as I would be chained to the mail.

Protonmail

After searching with DuckDuckGo, I found a mail service called Protonmail. This looked like a good alternative as it would be encrypted with open source emails.

Features include:

• Swiss Privacy
• End-to-End Encryption
• Anonymous Email
• Open Source
• Easy to Use

The fact that they don't collect anything from me. Privacy is high for this service. Also when a service shows their code, it gives me reason to trust them a bit more. This means people can hold them accountable for whatever they claim. They also offer free accounts without the compromise of privacy.

As a result, this is a service I would like to support and therefore have a paid account.

Other alternatives

I also saw there was Tutanota. This was a Germany based company with the same ideas as Protonmail. I just signed up with Protonmail first, otherwise I would have signed up with them.

I also tried to search for a blockchain technology supported service provider. However, I didn't come further then Cryptomail which doesn't seem to be active anymore.