The contribution of alternatives to US software: 4 search engines from Europe from Fabian Peters first appeared on Basic Thinking. You always stay up to date with our newsletter.
After the take office of US President Donald Trump again, the question arises whether the United States is still a reliable partner for Europe. Due to the tariffs imposed by Trump, many EU citizens want to boycott products from the USA. It’s not easy at the software level. But there are alternatives. Here are four search engines from Europe.
The idea of foregoing software products from the USA is not new. Because companies such as Microsoft, Amazon, Google, Apple and Facebook Group Meta not only have an enormous market power, but also use it-sometimes with contrary practices.
Many also have concerns that sensitive data in the hands of US companies are not in good hands. After the take office of US President Donald Trump again, the topic is gaining in importance again, since the question is increasingly asking whether the United States is still a reliable partner for Europe. Trump’s external and trade policy decisions such as his customs policy at least nourishes great doubts.
US software: alternatives from Europe
Tech-COS such as Mark Zuckerberg (Meta), Sundar Pichai (Google), Elon Musk (X) and Tim Cook (Apple) also seem to be shot in front of Trump. Critics therefore fear a closer interweaving of politics and business – possibly at the expense of user interests and data protection. Against this background, we present you four search engines from Europe-as an alternative to US software.
1. Ecosia
Ecosia is a search engine that focuses on planting trees and protecting the environment. The income from advertisements via the search are used to finance reforestation projects and plant trees where they are needed. With their search queries, users can actively help support sustainable projects to reduce environmental pollution.
Together with the French search engine provider QWant, Ecosia also wants to develop a European search index. The goal of the two companies: more independence from Google, Bing and the USA – also for Europe. Under the motto “A greener planet with every search”, Ecosia pursues the goal of combining search engine and environmental protection.
2. Start page
Start page is a search engine that focuses primarily on data protection and wants to protect the privacy of its users. It enables anonymous searches because no personal information is saved or user profiles are created.
Startpage, however, uses Google’s search to provide high-quality results, but does not save IP addresses. By combining search precision and data protection options, StartPage offers an alternative search solution for those who value privacy.
3. Qwant
The French search engine also primarily relies on privacy. Since its foundation in 2013, the company has been pursuing the principle of not saving or passing on personal user data. All search queries are processed anonymously. This offers protection against tracking and personalized advertising.
With “QWant Junior”, the company offers a child -friendly version of the search engine, which was specially developed for younger users. “QWant Maps” represents an alternative to Google Maps. The company operates its own web crawler that indexes websites and thus creates an independent basis. Qwant also uses Bing (Microsoft) data. However, the goal is a common search index with ecosia.
4. Metail
MetaGer is a German metasa engine that combines search results from different sources. The company attaches great importance to data protection. The search engine is operated by the non-profit association Suma-EV in cooperation with the Leibniz University of Hanover.
Metager does not store any personal data and enables anonymous surfing through an integrated proxy service. Users have the option of selecting the search engines that metar should take into account when asked by the request. The entire service is operated 100 percent with renewable energy. However, the search engine has recently been subject to a fee – but does not contain any advertising.
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The contribution of alternatives to US software: 4 search engines from Europe from Fabian Peters first appeared on Basic Thinking. Follow us too Google News and Flipboard.
As a Tech Industry expert, I believe that exploring alternatives to US software is essential for diversifying the market and promoting healthy competition. Europe has a number of innovative search engines that offer unique features and privacy protections. Four notable options include:
1. Qwant: Based in France, Qwant is a privacy-focused search engine that does not track user data or personalize search results. It also offers a separate search engine for children, providing a safe browsing experience for young users.
2. Ecosia: Ecosia, headquartered in Germany, is a search engine that plants trees with its ad revenue. Users can contribute to reforestation efforts simply by conducting searches, making it a socially responsible alternative to traditional search engines.
3. Gibiru: Located in Switzerland, Gibiru emphasizes privacy and anonymity by not storing user data or tracking search history. It also provides uncensored search results, making it a popular choice for users seeking unrestricted access to information.
4. Mojeek: Mojeek, a UK-based search engine, prides itself on its independence and transparency. It uses its own web-crawling technology to index pages, ensuring unbiased search results that are not influenced by advertising or external algorithms.
Overall, these European search engines offer unique features and values that set them apart from US-based alternatives. By supporting and utilizing these platforms, users can contribute to a more diverse and competitive tech industry while prioritizing privacy and ethical practices.
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