Google can be hard to quit, since it’s part of so many tools and products we use on a daily basis, from Gmail to Google Docs to their popular search engine. Using these products is convenient, but it means that this giant company knows a whole lot about you, and as intrusive AI features are integrated without any options to disable them, Google products are becoming less appealing to many users.
This three-session workshop series will guide attendees through the first steps of de-Googling their digital lives, to improve privacy and security. Participants are welcome to sign up for some or all of the sessions, depending on their goals and needs. Please be sure to register individually for each date.
Session 1: July 9 – Web Browsers & Search Engines
The very term “Google” has become synonymous with searching the web, and Chrome is the most popular web browser out there. Learn about alternatives like Firefox, Brave, DuckDuckGo, Qwant, and Kagi, and get assistance making the switch from Google products to other ways that you can browse and search the web.
Session 2: July 16 – Email
Gmail is a free, easy-to-use email platform that is incredibly common. However, Google has a track record of using people’s private email messages for targeted advertising, data brokerage, and training AI models. Learn about more private and secure email services like Protonmail, Tuta, and Mailbox.org, and get help setting up a new account and migrating your contacts and messages.
Session 3: July 23 – Drive & Docs, Maps, & More
In everything from cloud storage to document collaboration to maps, Google dominates the market. In this final session, we will discuss alternatives such as Libre Office for free desktop software, Proton’s document-editing suite, Cryptpad, OrganicMaps, and more, and try to land on the best tools for each participant’s needs.
This series will be hands-on and participatory, so attendees are encouraged to bring their own devices if possible, and ensure they have access to email and passwords. Library computers will also be available to use as needed.
The library offers regular technology workshops on different subjects. All workshops are free of charge, but space is limited, so registration is required to attend. Please be sure to register individually for each date you plan to attend.
For more information, contact Hannah at 922-6055 or hannah.cyrus@bangorpubliclibrary.org.