Introduction

We live in a digital world where big tech companies dominate almost every part of our online lives. They control huge amounts of data, critical services, and even the infrastructure we use every day. Their reach is so extensive that some people have compared their ecosystems to a kind of “botnet” a word usually reserved for networks of hijacked devices used for shady purposes. In this intro, I’ll break down why that comparison makes sense and why protecting ourselves from their control has become a privacy necessity.

Some researchers say that "Google has become the main interface for our whole reality". To be precise: with the Google interface, the user gets the impression that the search results imply a kind of totality. In fact, one only sees a small part of what one could see if one also integrates other research tools".--Wikipedia Criticism_of_Google

The Privacy Imperative

The term "botnet" fits because big tech companies control vast networks of devices and services, all connected and managed from the top down. Just like a botnet hijacks many computers to work together, often without users knowing. These companies coordinate enormous amounts of data and user activity across their ecosystems. This massive, centralized control quietly shapes what users see and do online, making the comparison to a botnet a powerful way to highlight their reach and influence.

Getting out of these monopolized ecosystems matters. Here’s why:

1. Google’s entire model revolves around ads, which means tracking practically everything you do online. Apple may market itself as privacy-friendly, but keep in mind its walled garden also benefits from collecting user data to refine its services. In both cases, you become the product. Stepping away from these systems is the first step toward truly owning and controlling your own data.

2. For most people, privacy policies are unreadable walls of text. That’s by design. Both companies collect and share data in ways that remain intentionally murky to the average user. Like a traditional botnet running quietly in the background, this surveillance often happens without you realizing it. Switching to transparent, privacy-focused services makes a big difference here.

3. When a few companies dominate the market, smaller players pushing for privacy-first solutions simply can’t compete. Big tech’s grip on users starves the competition of oxygen, keeping better alternatives from reaching mainstream adoption. Supporting decentralized or independent alternatives not only protects your privacy but also encourages innovation.

4. Centralized power is always vulnerable. Whether it’s hackers, inside abuse, or government pressure, the massive troves of data held by Google and Apple are high-value targets. A botnet is dangerous precisely because of its size and coordination. Similarly, one breach in these systems can expose millions. Distributing and decentralizing your digital life reduces this risk dramatically.

Saying "I have nothing to hide" ignores the fact that privacy is not just for oneself, but protects everyone, including those who may be vulnerable or targeted. Privacy guarantees freedom of thought, expression, and association, which are essential for a just society. When these rights are undermined, history shows that entire populations can be harmed

Throughout privacy-book I will share my research into this deep rabbit hole and will attempt to keep the information up-to-date. For now it's not meant to be read cover to cover, just pick the link/chapter you're interested in and go from there.