this post was submitted on 10 Nov 2023
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DeGoogle Yourself

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alternatives for searching for local businesses (lemmy.world)
submitted 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) by rustyriffs@lemmy.world to c/degoogle@lemmy.ml
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Hi, I am often in unfamiliar locations because of what I do for work and I'm having trouble finding ways to search for businesses that are close by. I'm kind of embarrassed to say that I've let myself become pretty dependent, over many years of phone use now, to just use google maps to search for pretty much everything... I'm no longer happy with this method, and I'd like to eliminate my dependency on them.

What are some of your favorite ways to research new locations you're unfamiliar with? I'm willing to go as far as seeking out phone books if I have to. (I remember the days before the internet, let me tell you...)

Also, I have both organic street maps as well as osmand installed and while I really like using organic street maps it (as well as osmand) is quite lacking in this certain respect.

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[–] MigratingtoLemmy@lemmy.world 8 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I don't think OpenStreetMap is quite there yet. I'd use Google maps if I were you and when I find something I want, I'd make a contribution to OSM.

With that said:

  1. Google maps can be used whilst being signed out (as incognito).
  2. If you're running a rooted device and have access to a work profile, maybe install MicroG in that profile. Then, install the maps apk.
  3. Run a VPN client in the work profile too, so Google associates your traffic with a different IP. Rotate your VPN box/VPS/Public IP of VPN to keep Google out of the loop. Of course, Google does check for your behavioural patterns so this isn't exactly foolproof, but it is the closest one can get without modifying source-code.
  4. Note that from Android 14, you no longer cease operation of the work profile when you hit pause. You just suspend the partition. Which is fine, I suppose, but a detriment of this approach is that most apps have network access. Luckily, one can install a firewall and deal with the problem.

I fully support OSM and would like to contribute when and if I go out, but if you're in a tough spot, I'd rather you use Google maps and be safe rather than using something that may or may not be as reliable and get stuck in a messy situation.

Cheers

[–] rustyriffs@lemmy.world 4 points 1 year ago (1 children)

One workaround that I have found (though, ultimately I don't really know if it's much better and it's certainly not that convenient) is to use mozilla firefox browser to search with duck duck go which seems to pull from apple maps. This way, I can find the business from looking at the map and copy the name or address and then try and use my preferred app to navigate to it (organicstreetmaps preferably, but I'd use OSMand if I had to).

I definitely like the idea of contributing to the open street maps project which osmand as well as organicstreetmaps both pull from. I just don't have a lot of time for that right now. Hopefully that will change over time.

I don't quite understand how to do much of what you mentioned. My technical level with most of that is quite a few steps lower.

My phone isn't rooted yet, but to me, getting all of this in order to go from steps 2 to 3 is quite a bit of effort. I feel like there should be an easier way, which would be more ideal and also be able to solve this issue.

I would honestly rather cut google out completely and use almost any other method even if that means reaching out to people in real life.

Thank you.

[–] MigratingtoLemmy@lemmy.world 2 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

That's a good idea, thanks for pointing that out. I'm going to start using that myself.

You don't need to root your mobile for steps 2 and 3. I mentioned it because most people who do this also happen to root their mobiles, but it's not necessary. You will have to research on how to enable a work profile though.

You will, however, not be able to use a firewall and a VPN at the same time on a device that is not rooted, unless you have a DNS service that blocks malicious domains and other domains which are part of an advertisement network. I believe there are DNS service providers who do this for you for free, might want to take a look.

TBH if you're running a recently updated Android device which is not rooted and de-bloated, there is very little chance that you're being successful in de-googling yourself, unless your definition ends at just not using Google apps (which is completely fine, and I'm sure someone will point out that if such a case is presented, one should cease using 8.8.8.8 or any Google-powered servers/services, a quarter of the internet and maybe even Firefox if we stretch the definition, but I digress). Google is listening to you, tracking your movement through Android, tracking your location through their framework installed by default on most android devices, and knows exactly who you are. With that said, this is a great step forward (better than me already since I rely on Google maps most of the time). Kudos to you for taking steps to regain your privacy from Google.

Asking for directions organically by asking people is probably some of the best decisions I have ever made when I went to the countryside for people actually know the place and a chit-chat happens naturally. In the city, me asking someone directions basically ends up with them pulling up their mobile (which I could have done anyway).

Thanks for reading. Cheers!