vastnt
Exit to the Open.
Why This Matters
Privacy isn't a feature you buy; it's a fundamental human right. In an era of pervasive surveillance capitalism, our digital lives have become commodities traded without our consent. Every search query, message, and location ping creates a permanent data shadow.
The Trap: Modern technology is deliberately designed to create dependency through vendor lock-in and subscription models that transform ownership into perpetual rental. This is a shift from ownership to licensing, which profoundly impacts our sense of agency.
The Exit: Reclaiming technological agency through open-source alternatives, self-hosted infrastructure, and cryptographic tools that place control back where it belongs: with you.
I'm not selling anything. This is a personal project where I document what actually works when you try to leave Google, Apple, and Meta behind — without losing your photos, your contacts, or your mind.
Everything here is tested on my own devices. Practical privacy for wide open spaces.
Exit Ramps
Every guide here is a step off the surveillance highway.
Leaving iPhone
What you lose, what you keep, and how to get your photos out first.
Getting off Gmail
Moving years of email without breaking every login you own.
Android without Google
GrapheneOS, microG, and knowing when to stop trying.
Your first password manager
The single change that fixes the most problems.
Tools I actually use
| Replace | With | Reviewed |
|---|---|---|
| Gmail | Proton Mail | Sep 2026 |
| Chrome | Brave | Sep 2026 |
| Signal | Sep 2026 | |
| LastPass | Proton Pass / Bitwarden | Sep 2026 |
| Google Photos | Proton Drive / self-hosted Immich | Sep 2026 |
Dates matter. Tools get acquired, breach databases, or change terms. If a date is older than six months, treat it as stale.
Community Voices
Here are a few people and groups whose work I trust and learn from. They offer deep dives into the "why" and "how" of digital sovereignty.
Privacy Academy
A fantastic resource for understanding the mechanics of surveillance capitalism and how to build a privacy-first life. Their content is practical and non-judgmental.
Visit Privacy Academy →Live Free Academy
Great for those interested in the intersection of crypto, web3, and privacy. They offer courses and webinars that help you understand the tools of the decentralized web.
Explore Live Free Academy →Get in touch
Email hello@vastnt.com. Encrypted mail preferred. No forms, no tracking pixels, no newsletter signup hiding in a footer.
I reply when I can. If you're working through a migration and want a second pair of eyes, say so and include what you've already tried.