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Building My Own Server: From Mac Mini to Homelab
Blog
10/09/2025
Digital Independence Homelab Self-Hosting
I was already running Ubuntu desktop and a few containers on my old 2012 Mac Mini. But when I bought an 8TB drive, it felt like the right moment to take it a step further. Instead of using it as just a desktop machine, I converted it into a proper Proxmox server.
This way I could start experimenting more seriously with self-hosting my files, media, and apps. And I also wanted to move away from depending on big tech companies that keep adding AI into every service. They decide the rules, they change how apps work, and users have to adapt. Running my own server gives me back some control.
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Chat Control: The EU’s Dangerous Step Towards Mass Surveillance
Blog
27/08/2025
Digital Privacy EU Regulation Mass Surveillance
The European Union is once again reconsidering a law that could change the way we communicate forever. And not for the better. It’s called the Chat Control legislation (formally, the CSAM Regulation). On the surface it is presented as a child protection measure. But if you dig just a little deeper, it becomes clear that this law is a direct attack on our right to private communication.
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I’m Not Against AI; But We Need to Stay Awake
Blog
21/07/2025
AI Alternatives Digital Privacy Tech Ethics
Like many people lately, I’ve been experimenting more with AI tools. Some of them are genuinely useful: they help speed up writing, summarise long articles, or offer creative inspiration. I don’t believe AI is the problem.
But the way it’s being built and deployed by some of the biggest companies? That’s where I think we need to be a lot more careful.
I’m not here to reject AI. I’m here to say: let’s do this with awareness, ethics, and control.
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The False Sense of ‘Free’: What We Pay for With Convenience
Blog
14/07/2025
Digital Privacy Messaging Tech Ethics
We’ve all done it. Downloaded an app, signed up for a service, tapped “accept all” just to get started. It’s free. It’s easy. What’s the harm?
But since stepping away from Meta platforms, I’ve started to see how misleading that word free really is. Most of these platforms aren’t free at all. We’re just paying in a different way.
And often, it’s with something far more personal.
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Messaging Apps Are Changing: And Not for the Better
Blog
26/06/2025
Alternatives Digital Privacy Messaging
In recent months, messaging apps have quietly shifted direction. What were once tools for private, secure communication are now turning into platforms experimenting with AI and monetization and it’s happening faster than most users realize.
Here’s a breakdown of what’s changed, what’s coming next, and why I believe it’s time to seriously rethink how we communicate online.
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Three Months Without Meta: What I’ve Learned
Blog
28/05/2025
Decentralization Digital Privacy Social Media Alternatives
It’s been three months since I decided to step away from Meta’s ecosystem; no Facebook, Instagram, or WhatsApp. It started as an experiment, but quickly turned into something much deeper: a reset of how I interact with digital life, and a reevaluation of what I value in online communication and social platforms.
Here’s what I’ve learned. The good, the frustrating, and where I see things going.
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Leaving Instagram: How I Rebuilt My Photo Timeline Somewhere Better
Blog
20/05/2025
Decentralization Social Media Alternatives
For some months now, I’ve moved away from Instagram. The app isn’t what it used to be, and I’ve started to care more about controlling my own content, privacy, and what kind of platforms I support.
The idea seemed simple: take my old Instagram photos and post them somewhere new — somewhere I feel good about. The reality? Much trickier.
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Rethinking Messaging Apps: A Guide to Secure and Inclusive Communication
Blog
23/01/2025
Alternatives Digital Privacy Messaging
Messaging has come a long way since the days of SMS, evolving into a vital part of our digital lives. In this post, I’ll take a brief look at the history of messaging apps, the current state of popular platforms, and why I’ve chosen to move to more secure and user-respecting alternatives.
If you’ve read my previous posts about leaving Meta platforms, you’ll know privacy and trust are at the heart of my digital decisions. The same applies to messaging.
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Why We Need to Rethink Social Media: A Guide to Better Online Choices
Blog
16/01/2025
Decentralization Digital Privacy Social Media Alternatives
Social media has become a part of our daily lives—it’s where we connect with friends & family, follow news, and share our experiences. But recently, I’ve taken a step back to reflect on the downsides of these platforms. This isn’t just about annoying ads or wasted time; it’s about something bigger: privacy, trust, and how these platforms shape our lives.
In this post, I’ll break down what’s wrong with traditional social media, explain why I’m leaving platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter), and share some exciting new alternatives that I believe are healthier and better for everyone. This is especially for those of you who might be curious or skeptical—my goal is to help you understand why this matters.
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Why I’m Leaving Meta: Embracing a Healthier Digital Life
Blog
09/01/2025
Digital Privacy Social Media Detox Tech Ethics
For years, platforms like Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp have been central to how we connect, communicate, and consume content. As someone who’s used these services extensively, I’ve come to a point where continuing to engage with Meta’s ecosystem no longer aligns with my values or priorities. That’s why I’ve made the decision in 2025 to delete my accounts on all Meta-owned platforms and transition to alternatives like Signal & BlueSky. Here’s why:
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