How to Avoid US-Based Digital Services—and Why You Might Want To
1 min read
Summary
An increasing number of people are concerned that big tech companies are too close to the US administration, and are hence reconsidering their reliance on US digital services.
This is particularly pressing in Europe, where concerns have emerged about the safety of US data services for businesses, governments and societies.
Key examples of US big tech pivoting to the right include Facebook, Instagram and Threads making drastic policy changes to allow hate speech and the promotion of MAGA values, and Google changing its Maps and Search results to rename the Gulf of Mexico following a Trump executive order, and then removing Trump’s “banned terms” from its Google Health product.
MAGA pivots are particularly concerning for countries which rely on services such as Facebook for government communications, official emergency response co-ordination, and small business services.
The solution for those concerned may be to become a “digital expat” - moving digital life off US-based systems - and a range of non-US options for key services are available.
