BREAK UP WITH GMAIL AT YOUR OWN PACE

So, “Google makes a privacy policy exception to use your Gmail and Photos data for ads,” according to Android Authority:

“This doesn’t mean Google automatically scans your private emails and photos to serve ads. The exception concerns information users choose to share with eligible services. Google also maintains that it doesn’t disclose personally identifying details, such as your name or email address, to advertisers without your permission.”

Everything is seemingly a grey-area when it comes to what Google is doing these days with AI and your beloved email. Oh, and Google cutting down 250,000 trees for a data center. Sure, why not?

As we’ve talked about on multiple member calls, you don’t need to leave Gmail and shut down your account tomorrow, it’s a process. Decoupling from Gmail also means figuring out how to decouple from Google Drive, Calendar, and so much more.

The biggest thing; start small. Sign up and try Fastmail or Proton (get 60% off a 12 month plan, affiliate link), and give is a test drive. Subscribe to a few newsletters and FWD some emails from your Gmail account into your new inbox.

Explore alternatives to Drive with Infomaniak’s kDrive or Proton Drive (affiliate link). There are many options out there!

Again, I’m not telling you which service is the best. You need to start an account with some of these services and see what feels right to you. If you’ve been using Gmail for 15+ years, a lot of these new services are going to feel alien, so remember to break up with Gmail at your own pace.