Hey, what’s up?
Are you trying to host your data in Canada? If so, that’s exactly what I’m going to talk about today. Over the last few months, I’ve been working hard to move all my data to Quebec, but you can apply these same ideas wherever you live in the world.
The goal is simple: ditch the big tech companies from the United States, like Microsoft, Google, Facebook, and Discord, and take back your digital sovereignty.
1 – Why Digital Sovereignty Matters
Most American apps don’t respect your privacy. Whether it’s social media, cloud storage, or productivity tools, these companies often bring vulnerabilities and weaknesses.
I believe countries like Canada are waking up to the fact that we need tech we can actually trust. I’ve spent the last few years removing myself from these ecosystems. Just last week, I finally deleted my Microsoft accounts. It’s an ongoing process, but you just take a little step every day.
2 – The Strategy: Keep It Simple
You don’t have to reinvent the wheel. My approach is pretty straightforward:
- I use free and open-source applications.
- I look for apps using the ActivityPub protocol.
- I host them on a private VPS (Virtual Private Server) located exactly where I want it.
Since I live in Quebec, I use OVHcloud because they have a data center in Beauharnois (QC). This ensures my data remains under Canadian laws.
3 – Replacing Google Drive and Microsoft OneDrive
Instead of giving your files to Big Tech, I use Nextcloud. I installed it on my own server, so all my data stays in Quebec and I am in full control.
Nextcloud is incredibly versatile. It’s not just for files; it’s a whole ecosystem. You can install “apps” from their store to handle:
- Notes
- Contacts
- Calendars
- etc.
It’s the best alternative if you want to get rid of the Google or Microsoft ecosystem while staying in control of your own server.
4 – Privacy-Focused Emails
Email is one of the few things I’m not self-hosting yet because it can be a bit of a headache. Instead, I use a Canadian provider called Typewire. They host everything in Vancouver, which is great if you want a private Canadian email.
If you do want to self-host your emails, you can look into software like Roundcube to install on your VPS.
5 – Chatting and Social Media Alternatives
If you want to replace Discord, WhatsApp, or Telegram, I recommend Matrix. It’s open source and you can host it yourself. I have my own instance, though I’m still waiting for more people to join the network!
For social media:
- To replace X (Twitter): I use GoToSocial because it’s lightweight for a solo user, but Mastodon is the most popular choice.
- To replace Instagram: You can use Pixelfed.
- To replace YouTube: PeerTube is the way to go. It even supports “Shorts” and is part of the Fediverse.
6 – Reddit, Twitch, and TikTok
There are even alternatives for the more niche platforms:
- Reddit: Use Lemmy or the more lightweight PieFed.
- Twitch: Use Owncast for independent streaming.
- TikTok: Use Loops (though I personally just use PeerTube for all my videos now).
7 – Finding Canadian Instances
If you don’t have the technical knowledge to self-host (I studied computer science, so I’m comfortable with it), you can still join existing servers.
A great resource is madeincanada.social. It lists Fediverse servers operated right here in Canada. This allows you to keep your data local without needing to manage a server yourself.
Conclusion
You don’t have to recreate Facebook, TikTok, or anything from scratch. By using open-source tools and hosting them where you live, you can ditch mainstream American tech for good. If you are self-hosting, I highly recommend using YunoHost to help automate the process on your server.
I hope this helps, peace!
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