'Disenchanted by Big Tech' — Why everyday people are switching to Linux to take back control of their privacy
Once exclusive to techy nerds, Linux is increasingly attracting users tired of privacy-invasive choices from Big Tech. TechRadar sat down with some of them to understand why and how they switched and, perhaps, if we all should.
Four individuals from various backgrounds—clinical psychologist Christopher Smith, artist from Atlanta, bio-behavioural scientist from North Carolina, and tech engineer from Hungary—have all switched to Linux within the past six months, citing a desire to regain control over their privacy and data. The shift in public attitude towards Linux began nearly a year ago, following the end of free support for Windows 10 and Microsoft's aggressive promotion of Windows 11, which was accompanied by increasingly intrusive data-collection practices.
The rise of user-friendly Linux desktop environments and installation programs, along with the assistance of language models eager to help with configuration issues, has enabled even the least tech-savvy users to reclaim their digital freedom. TechRadar interviewed these four individuals to learn about their reasons for switching, the difficulty they experienced while changing operating systems, and whether everyone should follow suit to enhance their online privacy.
Christopher Smith, a bio-behavioural scientist, had no prior programming experience when he decided to make the switch. Frustrated by the way Microsoft was forcing software and services upon him, he felt that Microsoft was dictating his digital choices. He initially tried Linux from a bootable USB stick and then a dual-boot system. Smith found a beginner-friendly Linux distribution (Mint with a Cinnamon desktop environment) that offered a familiar "point-and-click" interface, easing his transition.
Imre Lóránt Dévai, a technical engineer from Budapest, transitioned to Linux to limit tracking and reclaim control over his computer resources. He pointed out that software companies collecting data not only invades privacy but may also consume computer resources like CPU, memory, and internet bandwidth. For instance, managing Logitech mouse buttons and firmware on Windows required Logitech software, an account, and an app running in the background.
In contrast, Linux allowed him to write simple scripts for the necessary functions, such as mapping buttons and checking battery levels.
Aaron Frost, a Brisbane-based psychologist, left Microsoft due to ethical concerns and the need to protect his patients' confidentiality. After hearing about Microsoft's Recall feature, which captured screenshots of users' activity for AI analysis, Frost decided that he could no longer use Windows while ensuring compliance with privacy standards.
For those transitioning to Linux, LLMs have proven to be an invaluable learning ally. Dévai explained that AI can serve as a patient, nonjudgmental virtual admin, helping beginners who might otherwise feel intimidated by online forums. While LLMs can be helpful during the initial setup process on a fresh system, it is recommended to use a privacy-focused or local model once private photos or documents are stored on the computer to ensure data safety.
Written by urgent.news from TechRadar's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
