Embedded Files
Is Google blackmailing schools to push their brand to vulnerable schoolchildren?
There's many alternatives and even our quick fix recommendation to help you self-discover a range of suggested alternatives to the big names including Google, Meta's: Facebook, Instagram, Threads, Whatsapp; Linkedin and X (Twitter).
Many people now worry about powerful and wealthy individuals and corporations controlling and profiteering from the personal and filtered information we both provide and consume.
We recommend you run these alternatives alongside the big names initially to help make up your own mind. You can maintain many side-by-side - even better if you want to be well informed from many sources.
During the 2020s, millions of chats refer to worries about our personal data, of global instability in Trump's USA and the power of wealthy associates such as unelected Elon Musk who has privileged White House access. Mounting evidence, including Defend's points to abuses in the use of algorithms to manipulate free speech or SpaceX communications satellites to determine wars.
Index to topics
Index to topics
Our top tip for alternative social media, browsers and cloud storage
Our top tip for alternative social media, browsers and cloud storage
Check-out the The 'Go European' resource
Check-out the The 'Go European' resource
It gives real-time suggestions not just for search engines, websites and browsers, but also for your existing social media sites such as X (Twitter) plus Linkedin.
The Defend Campaign for Free Speech has found this nifty extension available via the Go European Chrome Web Store or from the BrandSnap - Go European App for iOS.
Everyone and every organisation should be exploring alternatives right now just incase the plugs get pulled or the satellites switched off or your personal data hacked. This includes our friends living in the U.S who are also consumers of monopolistic big name corporations that determine the operation of free speech with very little danction to protect us.
Go European will reveal a host of new brands not associated with these big names. They give a fresh opportunity to compare information and services 'more freely' and away from the AI and search engines of Elon Musk, Meta and Trump's Truth Social. Many claim to operate without exploiting your personal data and making you vulnerable to exploitation.
Defend's preliminary verdict on Go European's web and social media alternatives
Defend's preliminary verdict on Go European's web and social media alternatives
The Defend Campaign already judges it as a good tool to have alongside the usual Apple, Google, Meta and Microsoft services or AI from X's Grok (X as in Twitter).
We note that some of the familiar established (legacy) search engines initially failed to find 'Go European' in favour of highlighting a motor home company of the same name, though at the time of typing (29/09/26), Go European had attracted a 5 star rating when we finally downloaded direct by searching Chrome Web Store for the Go European extension .The extension provides European alternatives for the most used websites and services around the world and should be of interest to open-minded consumers keen to keep free speech and information flows healthy, along with their mental health. .Every time you log into existing sites such as X and LinkedIn or Google, the system can flag to you in real-time, some alternative sites. If the alerts become annoying then you can easily pause, dismiss or stop them once you've found your dream alternative.
If you get a minute please let us know how you get on or if you discover something new and radical. The Defend Campaign for Free Speech is a charity run by volunteers and you can be a volunteer too by dropping a couple of thoughts on the feedback form
Defend's summary of the benefits of Go European :
Defend's summary of the benefits of Go European :
- No tracking or data collection
- It automatically suggests European alternative sites and platforms in real-time as you use your laptop
- You receive unobtrusive live notifications about available alternatives to sites you visit which you can easily dismiss or end on a case-by-case basis if you dont want to be disturbed
- Flexible configuration allows you to choose how to be alerted to alternative sites that may be of interest as alternatives to suggestions from Google or Edge sources
- In early testing, Defend believes it is not pushing one site over another. Defend has had a chance to make some initial reviews of two of the four alternative or supplementary browsers to Google, which Defend finds quite different in terms of capabilities, one of them originating in the UK.
The situation in the USA
The situation in the USA
For the health of their own nation, U.S Citizens themselves should try European or other browser alternatives, especially when Google's independence was questioned with Trump's Lake Ontario renaming debacle, which defend has previously urged caution about. Google has courted further controversy by threatening to turn off search facilities to schools refusing to adopt AI technology which some critics have described as blackmail. Many school districts (such as New York City and Los Angeles public schools) have recently restricted or banned generative AI tools over worries about student cheating, screen time, and declining comprehension. abc News is one of many media outlets covering this story amidst the midterm elections headlines.
Separately, X is recorded to carry very targeted or 'bias' template-style campaigns, that suggest attempts to destableise many elected democracies throughout the world including the U.S. Some key activists helping to drive the disruption are known to receive backing and financial support such as the UK's Tommy Robinson (Real name is Stephen Christopher Yaxley-Lennon)
Europe has a substantially larger population than the USA but is arguably subject to stricter privacy rules designed to protect people from undue exploitation whether commercially, through hatred, through media ownership & wealth or otherwise. These layers of protection enshrined in international legal definitions of free speech is sometimes being cited as undue interference by people who may, on closer inspection, have underlying commercial self-interests.
If we value our freedoms, access to knowledge and education, we should all be auditing these systems from time-to-time, for our own peace-of-mind and mental well-being.We may also want to be proactive on whether or not we allow existing companies to harvest our valuable data without them having paid us the true value of what they use..
Introduction to protecting your personal data and being better informed by the web
Introduction to protecting your personal data and being better informed by the web
There's many conversations currently underway throughout the world regarding American-based communications technology that people across the globe have happily trusted in their daily lives for a very long time. This technology appears to provide endless resources and useful information searches for free but it also stores important personal information about individuals and businesses that is ultimately 'traded' in a way that makes individuals and companies extraordinary amounts of money. Is there a hidden cost to our freedoms including free speech? Does it have control over the extent to which information and 'free speech' gets heard?
The trust in these systems is being quickly challenged by a series of different issues emerging connected with President Donald Trump & Elon Musk's USA involving big names common to most of us such as Google, Microsoft, Apple, Meta, Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, X (Twitter) and more. There's more background on the emerging issues if you tap this section to reveal more commentary or visit Defend's IDN News section.
There's a lot of truth in old expressions such as 'Don't put your eggs in one basket.'
Defend still uses many of the big names in communications, but then again, we also have to be aware of how these major entities and corporations operate. We'd be fools not to try and establish alternative supplementary systems in case a server catches fire or a satellite gets switched off.
"People are wonderfully resourceful and will return to megaphones, fax machines, leaflets, coffee houses and invisible ink to maintain fairer free speech if necessary - and the good people will always win through, despite the struggles we hope they don't have to endure", says Jason Tanner, Founding Director of Defend.
There's been many previous trust issues for communications-related systems originating from China or Russia and even much closer to home, but there's now an increasing spotlight on the USA from both within and beyond Trump's homeland..
This is partly due to what's seen by some as a more 'robust' (at best) or aggressive (at worst) stance being adopted by the Trump administration including key players such as President Donald Trump himself and Vice President JD Vance.
There's similar concern about the conduct of some major wealthy American corporates involved in communications that play a part in free speech and freedom of expression. Much of the focus is the narrow ownership of the media by a very small minority.
These companies include X, (formerly known as Twitter), and now owned by Elon Musk. He is well documented as having worked collaboratively with Trump at the White House. His company Space X is establishing an extensive communications satellite network called Starlink operating in over 160 countries and the emerging use of algorithms and AI on his social media platform X to control what is seen and by whom. In fact we have to admit that the whole reason for Defend emerging was due to unusual activities noticed in the UK regarding Elon Musk.
Defend has previously suggested Governments and consumers should spend a moment reflecting on what powers key communications providers and media owners might be able to wield in exceptional circumstances and would urge everyone to ensure they have alternatives or back-up plans, just incase the unexpected and unthinkable actually happens.
'fake' and 'truth'
When this page was first drafted by Defend in early 2026, other providers of free speech were also under scrutiny for many energing reasons such as child data protection, child safety and the proliferation of inaccurate information designed to confuse and mislead people about free speech and what it really is. References to 'fake' and 'truth' are now deeply suspicious and unhelpful and these once innocent concepts are now part of the problem.
Accuracy
The only measure in achieving fairer free speech is accuracy, and without the use of hate speech silencing the voices of people who should be heard as a right.
The list of companies facing increased scrutiny involves many more familiar and previously loved names from the USA including Meta, the provider of everyday platforms such as WhatsApp, Instagram and Facebook. The world has yet to properly investigate how this corporation may have the abilty to cleverly merge different bits of personal data required to set-up different elements in Meta's basket of offerings which when combined will give Meta a very thorough picture of individuals.
Defend will work with any Government and corporation in an effort to help them improve and explore ideas to strengthen free speech for democracy.
No Government is perfect, but we are concerned about certain tactics seemingly being used used to manipulate the notion of free speech and the extent to which it gets heard and delivered.
We talk elsewhere on this site about the threats to free speech. Defend's preference is to urge people to remember we should ultimately strive for fairer free speech as free speech is in reality, an ideal or a dream that can never totally be reached in its purest form (type 'fairer' or 'dream' into our search to find out more).
Defend is also concerned a rise in the level of attempts by one country to destabilise existing systems of free speech in another country. This is something under surveillance in the UK in particular but has started to point fingers at countries previously thought to be above such tactics such as the USA.
In September 2026, Prime Minister Andy Burnham had highlighted dangers emerging from Russia though his predecessor, Keir Starmer, directly identified a threat posed by Elon Musk to UK stability leading inevitably, in the absence of any sanction, to his associates such as U.S President, Donald Trump. Ongoing research by the Defend Campaign for Free Speech and others increasingly suggests coordinated attempts to try and stir people unwittingly against elected governments in many countries.
We are currently a very new and very small independent but charitable entity but we increasingly realise how big the topic of free speech for democracy is becoming across the world and not just the UK where we started. We will work hard within our means. But we could do so much more with donations and volunteers based anywhere in the world, or in London where we started . All contributions from all sources are welcome as long as given unconditionally to retain our independence according to our Manifesto to protect
Please email Jason at hello@defendUK.uk We can also share ideas and resources with other people thinking about establishing Defend campaigns in their own locations or countries. Working together strengthens the protection we can give each other.
There's more background on the emerging issues if you visit Defend's News section or type in keywords into this website's search facilty (look for the magnifying glass usually at the top of pages).
Defend believes every person or organisation, including Elon Musk has a Right of Reply to anything written about them . Here's more details about that.
Caution: As an independent charity, Defend has limited research resources and should not be relied upon as a definitive source of technical information or advice on alternative or additional systems. Make sure you shop around. Information on this site is intended to help get you review your existing situation. We recommend using the alternative systems suggested below as supplementary and backups to your existing systems initially. Speak to an IT expert if you have any doubts
What alternative search engines & web browsers exist?
What alternative search engines & web browsers exist?
Defend is trying things out and we've downloaded Qwant on to our phones recently to compare alongside Google. We find this European (French) alternative to Google is pretty good to be honest and worth running alongside Google to make comparisons more easily. The choices it prioritises appear less commercial and the selction it comes up with for searches makes a refreshing change as they'renot sponsored or paid for. The options however do not go on for ever and ever as with Google, assuming that's what you want... (?!)
How to Use Qwant on Your PC
Use the website: Go straight to the Qwant Website in any browser to search without downloading anything.
Install the browser extension: Add the official Qwant Chrome Extension or get it for Firefox through Mozilla Add-ons to set Qwant as your default search engine and block trackers.
Turn it into a desktop app: Open Qwant in Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge, click your browser's menu (three dots), and select Save and share or Install page as app to pin it to your taskbar.
Qwant is one of three key suggestions from the guy featured in the You Tube film below. Although we've not had the resource to verify his background or motivation, he makes some striking observations in the film if you are looking to compare and contrast with Google or replace. Defend recommends that people use a variety of sources of information and you may wish to try some of his suggestions alongside Google to achieve this, despite the film's title.
Take a look - but there are plenty of other films to research if you have the time. We'd love to know your suggestions and observations as well as to welcome additional Defend volunteers interested in protecting free speech globally hello@defendUK.uk
What are some of the European browser alternatives?
What are some of the European browser alternatives?
Qwant(qwant.com) France | Defend Campaign Review of Qwant: A refreshing alternative to the Google systems we are more familiar with. We'd suggest loading the browser as an app or accessing it on the web as a way to compare and check information from Google .Although basd in Europe, it presents global information as with Google and has a free AI option for summarising information. It's strength is that it claims to avoid storing data about your searches or selling on your data. This also means that its searches are not filtered by data that is collected and monetised by search engines such as Google or Bing. Our initial findings are that it performs well and gives a refreshing alternative to Google. As a strength or weakness, we note it does not present acres of pages to visit but tend to keep each search result fairly tight.
Ecosia(ecosia.org) Germany | Not yet reviewed by Defend - Please send us one if you get a chance hello@defendUK.uk
Mojeek(mojeek.com) | United Kingdom | Defend Campaign Review of Mojeek: Defend has trialed this but finds its capabilities very limiting compared to sites such as Qwant & Google. Our early impressions are that information can sometimes be out-dated or totally lacking from this site though its search results are often very different and 'quirky' if you seek something very alternative
Mullvad (leta.mullvad.net) | Sweden Not yet reviewed by Defend. - Please send us one if you get a chance hello@defendUK.uk
An alternative or addition to Linkedin?
An alternative or addition to Linkedin?
Go European suggests trying this site:
XING(xing.com) from Germany for Linkedin| Not yet reviewed by Defend. - Please send us one if you get a chance hello@defendUK.uk
Are there European alternatives for Gmail / Outlook email services?
Are there European alternatives for Gmail / Outlook email services?
Go European suggests trying these:
ProtonMail(mail.proton.me) Switzerland Not yet reviewed by Defend. - Please send us one if you get a chance hello@defendUK.uk
Tuta(tuta.com) Germany Not yet reviewed by Defend. - Please send us one if you get a chance hello@defendUK.uk
Infomaniak(infomaniak.com) Switzerland Not yet reviewed by Defend. - Please send us one if you get a chance hello@defendUK.uk
We'd like to have your suggestions, experiences & reviews please hello@defenduk.uk
In the meantime, one of Defend's first volunteers, wrote the following about his experience of trying a less mainstream platform:
Alternative options for X (Twitter) Facebook, Threads & Instagram?
Alternative options for X (Twitter) Facebook, Threads & Instagram?
Preliminary review on Mastodon as an Alternative to X, Threads and Facebook?
Preliminary review on Mastodon as an Alternative to X, Threads and Facebook?
Defend Campaign is at an early stage of trialing Mastodon a European alternative to Twitter, Threads and Facebook It's recently set up a profile on Mastodon for Director Jason Tanner who found the process relatively easy and refreshing The research continues and we'd love to hear your own reviews pleasem
Mastodon(joinmastodon.org Open Source
Thomas Forsyth , a leading London Designer-Maker by trade turns citizen journalist to report on a new way of doing things, courtesy of NOSTR. Control goes back to the user. First published via Facebook on 20th June 2026
Thomas Forsyth , a leading London Designer-Maker by trade turns citizen journalist to report on a new way of doing things, courtesy of NOSTR. Control goes back to the user. First published via Facebook on 20th June 2026
Instagram alternatives from Go European
Instagram alternatives from Go European
Consider using these alternatives:
Defend is looking for volunteers, maybe you(?!) to review any of these if you can give a little time as a real user
What alternatives exist for handling & storing your personal data, messages & photos?
What alternatives exist for handling & storing your personal data, messages & photos?
Storage
Storage
Depending on what you want out of your storage, here are some initial, but by no means exhaustive ideas for people looking to compare or even escape the big players such as Google or Microsoft. You can of course keep them going or use them as a back-up if you follow the mantra of not putting all of your eggs in one basket. We'd love to receive additional ideas to share with others please. hello@defendUK.uk
Depending on what you want out of your storage, here are some initial, but by no means exhaustive ideas for people looking to compare or even escape the big players such as Google or Microsoft. You can of course keep them going or use them as a back-up if you follow the mantra of not putting all of your eggs in one basket. We'd love to receive additional ideas to share with others please. hello@defendUK.uk
Proton Drive: This is one of the biggest competitors to Google /Microsoft etc right now for privacy. It is run by a company in Switzerland, features strict end-to-end encryption (meaning even Proton cannot look at your files), and does not use aggressive upsells or sneaky background syncs.
Mega: Known for being incredibly generous with free space (giving you 20GB free out of the gate compared to Google's 15GB). It is highly secure and very clear about what is online versus what is on your computer.
External Physical SSD (No Cloud): Many people are reverting to local storage. Buying a small, portable external Solid State Drive (SSD) from brands like Samsung or SanDisk costs a one-time fee (around £50–£80 for a massive 1 Terabyte of space). You plug it into your USB port, drag your files over, and you never have to worry about a cloud company or monthly bill again.
Microsoft OneDrive / iCloud: If you use Windows or Apple devices, their built-in systems are often preferred over Google because they integrate much more cleanly into the desktop without creating duplicate "My Laptop (1)" ghosts.
This link describes how to download all of your data stored on Google. - We are still crafting these pages when time allows, but there'll be similar procedures for Microsoft and Apple. And if you want, please volunteer your own expertise to help Defend give advice freely to others to help protect fairer free speech or if you are time-poor then maybe you can support Defend in other ways by helping with resources or by spending a minute to give a top review if we've been useful or if you have some constructive feedback
Why not find out some more about why the Defend Campaign was created and our concerms for the future of free speech, information distribution and personal data storage
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse