DIY Data Sovereignty

These days it feels like privacy is at a premium. Data sovereignty is a relatively overlooked concept as we continue to pour our personal data into the well-lined pockets of large companies. Some folks are trying to shift the balance of power but there is a long road ahead.

As I think of my own digital footprint, I was reminded that in addition to not having sovereignty over my data I also don’t have control over the machines that keep and serve it.

Down into the basement I descended to dig up my old Linux desktop that got me through college. After a fresh install of Debian I had the beginnings of a place to fully control my web presence, not to mention saving a chunk of money that would have gone to web hosting with Linode, AWS, or Google every month (instead, I’m donating it to a rotating cause). It’s currently plugged in and humming along next to the fridge.

There are certainly limitations to this approach. When you request adventuresofyou.online, one of my toy sites hosted on this new machine, it certainly takes a little longer to load the page than from an edge computer algorithmically optimized to be situated as close to the request as possible. But then again: who cares? Remember when the internet was slow? I think the content was better. And an extra 300ms is a fine trade for peace of mind.

I’ll continue to post my thoughts, ideas, and tips on how you can improve your #datasovereignty. Let’s do this together!