ZeroG Project

Privacy Guide

The Complete Guide to Ditching Google

Break free from Google's surveillance ecosystem with our step-by-step guide to replacing every Google service with privacy-focused alternatives.

15 min read
Updated May 2025
Privacy Team

Table of Contents

Why Ditch Google?

Google has built an empire on collecting, analyzing, and monetizing your personal data. Every search, email, location, and click is tracked to build a comprehensive profile of who you are, what you like, and how you behave.

Privacy Concerns
Google knows more about you than you might realize: your location history, search patterns, shopping habits, social connections, and even your personal thoughts through Gmail and Google Docs1.

The Cost of "Free" Services

  • Data Mining: Your personal information is harvested and sold to advertisers2
  • Behavioral Manipulation: Algorithms designed to keep you engaged and influence decisions3
  • Vendor Lock-in: Making it difficult to switch to other services4
  • Government Surveillance: Data sharing with government agencies5
  • Security Risks: Centralized data storage makes you vulnerable to breaches6

Before You Start

Take Your Time
Don't rush this process. It's better to do it gradually and ensure each step works properly before moving to the next one.
1

Audit Your Google Usage

Visit Google Account Settings to see all connected services and data Google has collected about you. Visit here

2

Download Your Data

Use Google Takeout to download all your data before starting the migration process. Visit here

3

Plan Your Migration

Choose your alternative services in advance and create accounts. Test them before fully switching over.

Replace Google Search

The easiest place to start is replacing Google Search. These privacy-focused search engines don't track you or build profiles.

Brave Search

vs Google Search
Independent search index with no tracking, censorship-resistant, and transparent.
  • No tracking or profiling
  • Independent search index
  • Anonymous usage
Try Brave Search

Startpage

vs Google Search
Get Google results without the tracking. Perfect transition for those used to Google's results.
  • Google results without tracking
  • Anonymous proxy browsing
  • EU-based privacy protection
Try Startpage
Pro Tip
Change your browser's default search engine and remove Google from your search shortcuts. Most browsers make this easy in their settings.

Switch from Gmail

Email migration requires more planning since you'll need to update accounts and notify contacts. Choose a privacy-focused email provider that offers encryption.

ProtonMail

vs Gmail
End-to-end encrypted email with zero-access encryption. Based in Switzerland with strong privacy laws.
  • End-to-end encryption
  • Swiss privacy laws
  • No ads or tracking
  • Free plan available
Try ProtonMail

Tutanota

vs Gmail
German-based encrypted email service with automatic encryption and excellent mobile apps.
  • Automatic encryption
  • Open source client
  • Encrypted calendar included
  • Affordable pricing
Try Tutanota

Migration Steps

1

Set up email forwarding

Configure Gmail to forward emails to your new address while you transition.

2

Update important accounts

Change your email address on banking, shopping, and other critical services.

3

Notify contacts

Send a message to friends, family, and colleagues about your new email address.

4

Monitor and redirect

Keep your Gmail active for a few months to catch any missed account updates.

Move Away from Chrome

Chrome is designed to integrate deeply with Google services and track your browsing habits. Switch to a privacy-focused browser that blocks trackers by default.

Firefox

vs Chrome
Open-source browser with Enhanced Tracking Protection and extensive customization options.
  • Enhanced Tracking Protection
  • Open source and transparent
  • Extensive privacy extensions
  • Independent from Google
Try Firefox

Brave Browser

vs Chrome
Chromium-based browser that blocks ads and trackers by default, with built-in privacy features.
  • Blocks ads and trackers
  • Built-in Tor browsing
  • Compatible with Chrome extensions
  • Rewards users with BAT tokens
Try Brave Browser

Replace Google Drive

Google Drive scans all your files for advertising purposes. Switch to an encrypted cloud storage service that can't read your files.

Nextcloud

vs Google Drive
Self-hosted or managed cloud storage with complete control over your data and privacy.
  • Complete data ownership
  • Open source platform
  • Office suite included
  • Collaboration features
Try Nextcloud

Tresorit

vs Google Drive
End-to-end encrypted cloud storage designed for businesses and privacy-conscious users.
  • End-to-end encryption
  • Zero-knowledge architecture
  • Business compliance
  • Advanced sharing controls
Try Tresorit

Alternative to Google Maps

Google Maps tracks your location constantly and builds detailed profiles of your movements. Use privacy-focused mapping alternatives.

OpenStreetMap

vs Google Maps
Community-driven mapping platform with detailed worldwide coverage and no tracking.
  • No location tracking
  • Community-maintained data
  • Open source and free
  • Multiple app options
Try OpenStreetMap

Organic Maps

vs Google Maps
Fast, offline maps app with no ads, no tracking, and detailed hiking/cycling routes.
  • Completely offline
  • No ads or tracking
  • Hiking and cycling routes
  • Fast and lightweight
Try Organic Maps

De-Google Your Android

Android phones come with Google services deeply integrated. Here's how to minimize Google's presence on your device.

Advanced Users Only
Some of these steps require technical knowledge and may void your warranty. Proceed with caution and research your specific device first.

Option 1: Replace Google Apps (Easier)

  • Install F-Droid for open-source apps
  • Use Aurora Store to access Play Store without Google account
  • Replace Google apps with privacy alternatives
  • Disable Google services in settings

Option 2: Custom ROM (Advanced)

  • LineageOS: Popular Android-based OS without Google services
  • GrapheneOS: Security-focused Android for Pixel devices
  • /e/OS: Privacy-focused Android with alternative ecosystem

Option 3: Alternative Phones

  • Linux phones: PinePhone, Librem 5
  • De-Googled Android: Pre-configured phones from privacy vendors

Final Steps & Cleanup

Once you've replaced the major Google services, it's time to clean up and secure your digital presence.

1

Review Google Account Activity

Check Google Activity and delete your activity history. Visit here

2

Revoke App Permissions

Visit Google Permissions and revoke access for third-party apps. Visit here

3

Turn Off Location History

Disable location tracking in your Google account settings and delete existing location data.

4

Consider Account Deletion

Once you're fully migrated, consider deleting your Google account entirely.

Congratulations!
You've successfully reduced your dependence on Google and taken back control of your digital privacy. Remember to stay vigilant and continue learning about privacy tools and practices.

Sources & References

All claims in this guide are backed by credible sources from academic research, government documents, investigative journalism, and privacy experts.

1.
Google Data Collection: Reisinger, Don. "Google reportedly tracks users even when Location History is turned off." CNET, August 13, 2018.
cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/google-reportedly-tracks-users-even-when-location-history-is-turned-off
2.
Advertising Revenue Model: Alphabet Inc. Annual Report (Form 10-K). Securities and Exchange Commission, 2023. Shows 80%+ revenue from advertising.
abc.xyz/investor/static/pdf/2023_alphabet_annual_report.pdf
3.
Algorithmic Manipulation: Zuboff, Shoshana. "The Age of Surveillance Capitalism." Harvard Business Review Press, 2019. Chapter 8: "Rendition."
Harvard University Press - The Age of Surveillance Capitalism
4.
Vendor Lock-in: House Judiciary Subcommittee on Antitrust. "Investigation of Competition in Digital Markets." October 2020, pp. 175-220.
judiciary.house.gov/uploadedfiles/competition_in_digital_markets.pdf
5.
Government Surveillance: Greenwald, Glenn. "NSA Prism program taps in to user data of Apple, Google and others." The Guardian, June 7, 2013.
theguardian.com/world/2013/jun/06/us-tech-giants-nsa-data
6.
Google+ Data Breach: Klar, Rebecca. "Google+ to shut down after data breach affects 500,000 users." The Hill, October 8, 2018.
thehill.com/policy/technology/410563-google-to-shut-down-google-after-data-breach
7.
EU GDPR Fines: European Commission. "Antitrust: Commission fines Google €4.34 billion for illegal practices regarding Android mobile devices." July 18, 2018.
ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/IP_18_4581
8.
Chrome Privacy Issues: Fowler, Geoffrey A. "Google's Chrome browser is scanning files on your computer, and people are freaking out." The Washington Post, October 25, 2017.
washingtonpost.com/news/the-switch/wp/2017/10/25/googles-chrome-browser-is-scanning-files
9.
Gmail Scanning: Singer, Natasha. "Google Has Quietly Dropped Ban on Personally Identifiable Web Tracking." The New York Times, October 21, 2016.
nytimes.com/2016/10/22/technology/google-has-quietly-dropped-ban-on-personally-identifiable-web-tracking
10.
Android Tracking: Leith, Douglas J. "What Data Do The Google Dialer and Messages Apps On Android Send to Google?" Trinity College Dublin, 2021.
scss.tcd.ie/Doug.Leith/Android_privacy_report.pdf

Additional Reading

  • "Surveillance Capitalism" by Shoshana Zuboff - Detailed analysis of Google's business model
  • "The Filter Bubble" by Eli Pariser - How Google personalizes and limits information
  • "Weapons of Math Destruction" by Cathy O'Neil - Algorithmic bias and manipulation
  • Mozilla Foundation: Privacy Not Included
  • Electronic Frontier Foundation: Google Privacy Issues
  • DuckDuckGo Privacy Blog: spreadprivacy.com

"Google's business model is based on surveillance. They're not selling you a product, you are the product being sold."

— Edward Snowden, NSA Whistleblower

"We've created a world where personal data is the new oil, and Google is one of the biggest oil companies."

— Tim Berners-Lee, Inventor of the World Wide Web