What should have been a shared, open space has become a profit machine for a few tech oligarchs feeding on our attention and data, in chase of world domination. Big Tech is infesting the web like digital weeds, choking the internet we once loved.
It is time for a dugnad.
What is a dugnad?
Dugnad is a Norwegian gem of a word and tradition. It’s about coming together when a task feels too big to do alone. Like coming together to deal with overgrowth in our shared garden. It’s friends and neighbours rolling up their sleeves together.
That is a dugnad.
The word is Norwegian but the problem we’re trying to solve is global. Too many rely on Big Tech services that exploit our data and dominate our digital lives. It’s time to whack some digital weeds together.
How did we bring this challenge into motion?
First, we hosted a Digital Dugnad campaign in Norway. 150 volunteers joined us throughout the country and spent a whole day teaching their communities about alternatives to Big Tech.
Then, we took the concept to our browser’s second home: Iceland. Vivaldi has been sponsoring the Grótta football club for a few years. Together with the acting ambassador of Norway in Iceland, we presented this year’s away kit, which will feature the Digital Dugnad campaign. The motto in Icelandic is “margar hendur vinna létt verk” (literally: many hands make light work).
So, what comes next?
Now it’s your turn!
Step one: start with yourself
Taking back control of your digital life does not require a degree in computer science. A few simple swaps are enough to make a real difference, for you and for the open and free web.
- Go to Vivaldi.com, or your mobile app store, and download Vivaldi.
- In Vivaldi, choose your default search engine. Choose a safe and private option, like Ecosia, Startpage, or DuckDuckgo.
- Go to Proton.me and explore their Mail and Cloud services.
Ten minutes have gone by, and you have made a huge difference for your digital independence. You have made it a lot harder to track you and sell your data. You’ve taken back control.
Step two: bring someone with you
This is where dugnad becomes something bigger. Your neighbour, your grandfather, your dentist, your mechanic, your boss. All of them need your help. That makes you the most important person in their digital life.
Help one person make one swap. That is how a movement grows.
Join the dugnad, help reclaim the internet and remember:
PS. Those are some beautiful soccer kits, should we do a giveaway for the community? Let us know in the comments! 🙌🏼
