Taking control of my personal data was one of my biggest priorities in 2019. The rise of cloud computing and the centralization of the web pose real threats, not just to our economy, but to our personal security.
We have to remember that other actors will always prioritize their own interests over ours. Sometimes it’s a zero‑sum game (even though honest business shouldn’t be), and a few bad actors end up casting a shadow over everyone else in the market.
All that marketing spin about “needing your data for your own good” is one of the biggest lies in modern history.
We can clearly see the huge demand for giving people control over their data, and times are finally changing. Look at the GDPR, the California Consumer Privacy Act, and other legislative moves to rein in the damage done by data‑hungry tech companies, damage often done without clear user consent (and no, a 100‑page user agreement isn’t “consent”).
I believe things will get better in the future, but we don’t have to wait. It’s entirely possible to take back control of most of our data now, thanks to cheap hardware and free, verifiable software.
Raspberry Pi 4
This little beast costs $35 and can do a surprising amount, including serving as a personal data hub. It’s also a perfect learning tool for anyone curious about Linux but not ready to install it on their main machine. With a Raspberry Pi, you can experiment with a full Linux computer without worrying about driver issues, spotty documentation, or other typical Linux hurdles.
Nextcloud
Nextcloud is a great platform for hosting your own data. You don’t need to give Google your contacts, Nextcloud can store them. You also don’t need Dropbox or Google Drive, you can do the same things with Nextcloud for a fraction of the cost, while keeping full control of your files.
It comes with a gallery app, an RSS reader, an instant messenger, and plenty of other tools that normally require handing your data to third parties. It’s a powerful, self‑hosted alternative that can replace most of Google’s services without sacrificing your privacy or security.