The most crushing problem with Google type of internet censorship is that you don’t know what you don’t know. If a certain type of information is removed from a search, and you don’t know it should exist somewhere, you’ll never go looking for it.

And, when searching for information online, how would you know that certain websites or pages have been removed from the search results in the first place? The answer is, you don’t. For example, Google has been investing in DNA repositories for quite a long time and is adding DNA information to our profiles.

According to Epstein, Google has taken over the national DNA repository, but articles about that – which he has cited in his own writings – have all vanished. They have the power to manipulate public opinion through search rankings and other means, and the shifts in thinking produced are both rapid and enormous.

For example, Epstein has demonstrated that Google has the ability to shift voting preferences among undecided voters by a whopping 48 per cent to 63 pr cent and the power to determine 25 per cent of global elections. What’s more, this manipulation is entirely undetectable and untraceable.

As a user, there are many reasons to de-Google your life, including the following: Privacy concerns — Google’s services, including search, email and maps, collect vast amounts of personal data, which can include browsing history, location data and more. This collection is integral to their business model, which focuses on targeted advertising.

Other privacy concerns include the following: Tracking of your whereabouts 24/7. In 2022, four attorneys general sued Google for its deceptive practices in collecting location data, as they continue to track location data even after users disable location tracking. By tracking your Google calendar entries, combined with your location data, Google also knows what events you’ve attended, when and for how long.

Your built-in webcam on your phone, tablet, laptop or computer can also be accessed by various apps.

 A lifetime of photographic evidence: Twenty years ago, photos were a private matter, reminisced over in photo albums and displayed around the home. Today, people’s lives are on public display online and Google captures it all. When combined with facial recognition software and other technological identification applications, including metadata detailing the time and place of each snap, your photos are a treasure trove of private information.

A lifetime of communications:  Google also has every single Gmail email you’ve ever sent, received and deleted.

Censoring your email:  Google can also censor your email, and we have evidence that this is happening. While about 50 per centof our subscribers are using Gmail accounts, the delivery rate for Gmail accounts is HALF of all the email providers like ProtonMail — far lower than any other email service. So, if you are using Gmail to receive our newsletter please change it immediately. If you’re using Gmail, understand that they’re censoring your inbox, and you might not even realize it.

Deleted files and information: You probably delete files and information every now and then for the sake of safety, right? You might decide to delete that list of passwords from your phone, for example, in case you lose it or it gets hacked. Well, Google still has all of that information.

Market dominance and monopolistic behaviour:  Google’s dominant position in search, video hosting (via YouTube), and mobile operating systems (via Android) stifles competition, potentially leading to less innovation and choice for consumers.

Data security: Although Google claims to have strong security measures, no service is immune to data breaches or security flaws. Considering the vast amount of personal data collected by Google, a data breach could be potentially devastating.

Echo chamber and filter bubble effects: Google’s personalised search and news results can create a “filter bubble,” where users are more likely to see information that aligns with their past behaviour, potentially limiting exposure to differing viewpoints and leading to an echo chamber effect.

Dependence and data lock-in: Relying heavily on Google’s ecosystem can lead to a form of lock-in, where moving to other services becomes difficult due to the vast amounts of data and integration within Google’s services. To avoid this, diversify your service providers.

The coming social credit system: The ability to surveil and track every conceivable metric, censor and block access to information, and the ability to manipulate opinions also makes Google an invaluable resource for the planned social credit system, and the more information they have on you, the easier they can manipulate you.

If you are at all concerned about Google’s data theft practices, then it’s time you stop using Google services. Sure, Google has convenience covered, but it’s not enough to overshadow its many evils.

If you’re ready to protect your privacy and break free from the manipulation of internet monopolies, here are some basic steps you can take. Also, be sure to share these tips with your family and friends.

Swap out your browser: Uninstall Google Chrome and use Brave or Opera instead. Everything you do on Chrome is surveilled, including keystrokes and every webpage you’ve ever visited. Brave is a great alternative that takes privacy seriously.

Switch your search engine: Stop using Google search engines or any extension of Google, such as Bing or Yahoo, both of which draw search results from Google. Instead, use a default search engine that offers privacy, such as Presearch, Startpage, DuckDuckGo, Qwant and many others.

Use a secure email: Close your Gmail account and switch to a secure email service like ProtonMail. If you have children, don’t transfer their student Google account into a personal account once they’re out of school.

Switch to a secure document-sharing service — Ditch Google Docs and use another alternative such as Zoho Office, Etherpad, CryptPad, OnlyOffice or Nuclino, all of which are recommended by NordVPN.

Delete all Google apps from your phone and purge Google hardware. Better yet, get a de-Googled phone. Several companies now offer them, including Above Phone.

Avoid websites that use Google Analytics: To do that, you’ll need to check the website’s privacy policy and search for “Google.” Websites are required to disclose if they use a third-party surveillance tool. If they use Google Analytics, ask them to switch!

Use a secure messaging system: To keep your private communications private, use a messaging tool that provides end-to-end encryption, such as Signal.

Use a virtual private network (VPN) such as NordVPN or Strong VPN: This is a must if you seek to preserve your online privacy.

Don’t use Google Home devices in your house or apartment: These devices record everything that occurs in your home, both speech and sounds such as brushing your teeth and boiling water, even when they appear to be inactive, and send that information back to Google. The same goes for Google’s home thermostat Nest and Amazon’s Alexa.

Don’t use an Android cellphone, as it’s owned by Google.

Ditch Siri, which draws all its answers from Google.

Don’t use Fitbit, as it was recently purchased by Google and will provide them with all your physiological information and activity levels, in addition to everything else that Google already has on you.

• A Tell report / Originally published by Mercola