Why avoid Russian tech companies?
Russian law mandates that tech companies store Russian user data locally and grant the FSB direct access to communications infrastructure. Independent oversight does not exist.
Data localisation law
Federal Law 242-FZ requires companies to store data about Russian users on servers within Russia, where it is accessible to Russian authorities.
SORM surveillance system
System of Operative Investigative Measures gives the FSB direct hardware-level access to all Russian telecoms and internet infrastructure, without requiring a court order.
Geopolitical risk
Following the invasion of Ukraine, Russia-based tech infrastructure carries significant geopolitical and sanctions risk for European businesses.
Several major Russian tech companies have been used as instruments of state policy. Operational independence from the Russian state cannot be assumed.
Popular products to replace
What to switch, category by category
Twake Workplace
France EU
Open-source collaboration suite developed by French company Linagora. Combines Matrix-based messaging, cloud drive, mail, and calendar in one platform. EU-hosted and self-hostable.
Alternative to: Slack, Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, Dingtalk
Team communication
Olvid
France EU
French end-to-end encrypted messenger certified by ANSSI, the French national cybersecurity agency. Unlike Signal, requires no phone number or personal data to register. Used by the French government, recommended by French Prime Minister for ministerial communications.
Alternative to: Imessage, Whatsapp, Signal, Telegram, Messenger, Wechat
Messaging & chat
Fluxer
Sweden EU
Fluxer is open-source chat, voice and video software from Sweden, built as an alternative to Discord. It began as one student's project and now has a small team. Self-hosting unlocks every premium feature for free.
Alternative to: Discord
Messaging & chat
Tuta Mail
Germany EU
Fully encrypted email based in Germany. Open-source and independently audited.
Alternative to: Gmail, Outlook, Vk Mail
Email
MetaGer
Germany EU
A privacy-focused metasearch engine run by the German non-profit association SUMA-EV. It blends results from multiple sources, hides your IP behind an anonymising proxy, and is open source. No profiling, no ad-tracking.
Alternative to: Google, Bing, Yahoo, Baidu Search, Yandex Search
Search engines
Swisscows
Switzerland EFTA
Swiss search engine founded in 2014 by Andreas Wiebe, hosted in a high-security data center in a former military bunker in the Swiss Alps. No IP logging, no tracking cookies, no user profiling. Family-friendly content filtering built in by default.
Alternative to: Google, Bing, Yahoo, Baidu Search, Yandex Search
Search engines
Qwant
France EU
French privacy search engine founded in 2013. No user tracking, no data reselling. In 2024 partnered with Ecosia to build the European Search Perspective (EUSP), Europe's first independent search index. Acquired in 2023 by Octave Klaba, founder of OVHcloud.
Alternative to: Google, Bing, Yahoo, Baidu Search, Yandex Search
Search engines
Bitdefender
Romania EU
Independent Romanian cybersecurity firm with top-rated antivirus and endpoint protection. A European alternative to Kaspersky, without the geopolitical baggage.
Alternative to: Kaspersky
Cybersecurity tools
ESET
Slovakia EU
Independent Slovak antivirus and endpoint security maker behind NOD32. A long-established European alternative to Kaspersky.
Alternative to: Kaspersky
Cybersecurity tools
F-Secure
Finland EU
Finnish consumer security brand offering antivirus, VPN, and identity protection. A Nordic, EU-based alternative to Kaspersky.
Alternative to: Kaspersky
Cybersecurity toolsStart somewhere.
Switching everything overnight is not realistic. Start where it matters most: your email, your cloud storage, your business tools. Replace one thing at a time.
The European Alternative already exists.
Pick Europe.