At large Internet companies, data protection and democracy often play a subordinate role. Hacker associations therefore encourage the use of independent platforms. Here you can get advice in the northwest.
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In the northwest – Mozilla Firefox instead of Google Chrome, LibreOffice instead of Microsoft 365 or Signal instead of WhatsApp: On the first Sunday of every month, the Chaos Computer Club (CCC) and many other organizations encourage people to critically question the platforms they use digitally and switch to “democracy-friendly offers”. According to the alliance, the aim of this “digital independence day” (“Tuesday”) is to strengthen diversity and freedom. This Sunday, March 1st, there will also be several information events for those wanting to change in the northwest of Lower Saxony.
Action for more data protection
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For example, “Di.Day” is intended to encourage people to switch to independent digital offerings that offer better data protection than the tech giants. According to the alliance, these can be data protection-friendly email providers, independent messengers such as Signal and browsers such as Firefox and Ecosia. The campaign was launched at the end of 2025.
According to the CCC, the example of Twitter / Despite the resulting loss of trust, the platform remains influential – for example because politicians are present there and the media quotes from it. The concentration of power is also growing with artificial intelligence. The CCC therefore appeals to users to leave WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, X and Co.
Advice on apps and alternatives
This Sunday there are several free events in the region where people can exchange ideas about digital platforms, the providers they use and possible alternatives. Visitors can bring their smartphone, tablet and/or laptop. Registration is not required. At a glance:
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1st Tuesday in the Wittmund district – Digital changing café, Time: 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., Ort: Bistro KeeKeeBricks, Am Markt 9 in Esens, Organizer: Alliance 90/The Greens district association Wittmund
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Di-Day: Social, free and safe, Time: 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., Ort: Market pavilion, Am Markt 15A in the north (Aurich district), Organizer: DoKa cultural distillery
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Di.Day // Digital Tooltime and Networking, Time: 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., Ort: Art and cultural association freight forwarding, at Handelsmuseum 9 in Bremen, Organizer: Art and cultural association forwarding company
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Digital Independence Day, Time: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., Ort: Hackspace Mainframe, Bahnhofsplatz in Oldenburg, Organizer: Creativity meets technology
