Google tools are functionally attractive, but can hardly be used in compliance with the law. Data protection laws almost prohibit the use of Google tools. Fortunately, there are alternatives. Many of these solutions are either fully compliant with data protection laws or, in my opinion, far better than Google products.
Search engines
Among the most frequently used Google tools is especially the search engine under google.de or google.com. As is well known, the Google Corporation does not belong to the companies that consider data protection as the highest good. Only as one of many examples, the 60 million euro fine imposed by the French data protection authority CNIL on the operator of the search engine shall be mentioned.
Good search engines that place a value on data protection are for example:
- Ecosia
- DuckDuckGo (the operator seems to take user privacy very seriously. However, it is an American company. Please note: The search engine is mentioned here, not the browser of the same name)
- Tarnkappe has examined other search engines: Link no longer available, if required the search engines can be found without problems!
These so-called Search Engines deliver very good results from my point of view. When searching for something exotic or finding only a few or no hits for a search query, it often pays off to use several search engines at the same time. Not infrequently I was able to find additional hits through the aforementioned search engines in addition to the Google search.
Browser
Instead of the Chrome Browser by Google there are numerous better alternatives, for example
- Tor Browser
- Mozilla Firefox
- Opera: Removed as a recommendation after noting that the browser has privacy-hostile default settings (even though I think Opera is far better than Chrome)
- Ghostery (even if the provider then possibly receives data – still better than Google, I say. Please note: The browser is mentioned here, not the browser plugin of the same name)
I have not investigated the individual browsers in detail, except for the Tor Browser. I am however convinced that every alternative is better from a data protection perspective than giving Google's data octopus information about one's own surfing behavior.
Browser-Plugins
Not necessarily an alternative to Google products, but a way to reduce data transfers to Google are so-called Blocker Plugins.
To avoid advertising and trackers, uBlock Origin is often mentioned. Especially recommended is the Plugin for Firefox. There is also one for Chrome, but Chrome is from Google and therefore to be considered as a Master-Tracker.
Incidentally, the plugin is also suitable for documenting data protection violations on websites. To do this, open the website and take a screenshot of the plugin's analysis results.
There is also a similar plugin from Ghostery. Some say that the Ghostery Plugin collects data for the advertising industry. I haven't checked this. Nevertheless, I assume that with the Ghostery Plugin, which I find functionally better than uBlock Origin, significantly fewer data of a person are passed on to significantly fewer places than if one would not use such a Tracking Blocker. At least Ghostery offers settings that give hope that privacy is taken seriously:
The setting for exchanging usage analyses is probably preset after installing the plugin, which is not good. Manual deactivation solves this problem for the informed user. It is also possible that the second checkmark is pre-selected, but I have not investigated this further. Please take a look for yourself if you use the plugin or would like to give it a chance.
Tools for websites
These tools in particular are frequently used by Google for websites:
- Google Maps
- Google reCAPTCHA
- Google Analytics (now declared non-compliant by several European data protection authorities)
- Google Tag Manager
- Google Fonts
Clicking on the names of the tools leads to the article on the respective tool, in which the data protection problems with the service are explained.
Those interested in the precise legal conditions for Google Tools should look at the Google Terms of Service.
There are specific alternatives for each of the tools just mentioned:
Google Maps
Often no map is needed at all. Instead, use an attractive, specific image with a suitable map of the surrounding area. The image does not have to show the Müller butcher's shop if your own business is to be in the foreground.
A button labeled "Route planner" is ideal for route planning. A link to an online route planner will take you to your destination, especially if the destination address has already been entered. If you still need an interactive map, you will also find what you are looking for.
The most well-known alternative is OpenStreetMap. Here it should be noted that the provider of OpenStreetMap comes from the European Union, preferably from Germany. Therefore, the direct use of OpenStreetMap is not recommended, because the OpenStreetMap Foundation is a somewhat vague entity (imprint and data protection declaration are not consistently given).
Optimal is a self-contained OpenStreetMap Map Server. The installation, however, is not quite straightforward.
My own solution is ideal in terms of data protection. You can use it free of charge. Here you can see a screenshot of my solution:
My name is Klaus Meffert. I have a doctorate in computer science and have been working professionally and practically with information technology for over 30 years. I also work as an expert in IT & data protection. I achieve my results by looking at technology and law. This seems absolutely essential to me when it comes to digital data protection. My company, IT Logic GmbH, also offers consulting and development of optimized and secure AI solutions.
