YSK: You can use Libreddit instead of Reddit for more privacy and no ads (and no traffic/views for Reddit)
YSK: You can use Libreddit instead of Reddit for more privacy and no ads (and no traffic/views for Reddit)
The developer wrote a good post on Reddit, which I will mainly quote here:
10 second pitch: Libreddit is a portmanteau of "libre" (meaning freedom) and "Reddit". It is a private front-end like Invidious but for Reddit. Browse the coldest takes of r/unpopularopinion without being tracked.
🚀 Fast: written in Rust for blazing fast speeds and memory safety
☁️ Light: no JavaScript, no ads, no tracking, no bloat
🕵 Private: all requests are proxied through the server, including media
🔒 Secure: strong Content Security Policy prevents browser requests to Reddit
How does Libreddit enhance my privacy?
Reddit tracks a lot of data but Libreddit logs nothing and uses no JavaScript by default so client-side monitoring isn't possible. There are 35 community-hosted instances that can be used to access Libreddit; one can spread their traffic across multiple for even more privacy. 7 of our instances are .onion hidden services so you can browse Libreddit using Tor.
Can I use it to login to Reddit?
Libreddit doesn't currently support logins but using cookies, users can subscribe to subreddits, follow users, and import their subscriptions from Reddit.
Does Libreddit have any features not offered by Reddit?
On top of the minimalist design, Libreddit is very customizable with:
- 10 themes to choose from
- A toggle to enable Wide UI (for those of you who like to maximize your screen space)
- Filters so you can hide certain subreddits or users from your feeds
Instances: up-to-date table of instances -> https://github.com/libreddit/libreddit-instances/blob/master/instances.md
Not every instance is equally fast for you, similar to Lemmy. Try out a few.
GitHub: https://github.com/spikecodes/libreddit
For PC, I recommend the add-on LibRedirect, which automatically converts a Reddit link to a Libreddit link. This way, Reddit doesn't get any traffic from you, even if you want to access the page via a Google search.
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I have an honest question for all the commenters saying "I'd rather not use reddit": where do you get niche information from other than reddit?
I don't want to give reddit traffic, but I find myself constantly looking for information that would necessarily only be available on a platform like reddit. Examples:
- Product info and reviews
- Niche troubleshooting for odd hobbies (fermentation, video games, diy)
- Travel advice from locals/regulars (do I need wetsuit to swim here? Where are restaurants that won't harass my partner and I for being queer?)
- Advice, when the "official" recommendations on SEO websites were clearly written for a litigation-happy American society (some healthcare, some law, etc.)
I consider myself pretty information-access savvy but a lot of these things require a "crowdsource" aspect that blogs and other websites can't provide.
What do y'all do?
Currently? I just do without it and replace that surfing with other content.
The poignant question is "where did you do those things before reddit?", and it's poignant because, for half of them, you either didn't do it in one place, or didn't do it at all.
Reddit is convenient but not necessary.
I fully agree. I went a few weeks without reddit but decided I don't need to be some noble reddit crusader. I downloaded the reddit app yesterday to visit once a day to check some major subs that I enjoyed and aren't developed here (fantasy football, bourbon, etc). I still spend 90% of my time here, less than 5 or 10 minutes a day on reddit.
Same. And I don't get why you're getting downvoted for this. You're doing the right thing 90% of the time, which is better than doing the wrong thing 100% of the time. "What, you won't leave a platform you used everyday for years immediately without turning back? Shame on you!"
It's the same problem with vegans who judge everyone who isn't 100% vegan, even if they try their best to get there. Guess what, that's gonna drive people away.
I also use this platform for my daily dose of memes and news instead of reddit now, but some subreddits are not active here (yet), so I will visit Reddit from time to time.
Some people I suspect are especially gung-ho to be on the fuck Reddit train and are getting a bit stab happy from inside their “in-group”
Ignore em they’re just kids trying to fit in too hard
For reviews, depending on the product, I check tech websites, Amazon or productreview.com.au (I'm sure there are other local equivalents). For niche hobbies, forums on hobby-specific websites (eg. I sew, and find the forums on the Pattern Review website very helpful) or facebook groups. I don't travel, so I have no personal experience with that one. For health advice, I check sources such as health authorities and universities. I've never had to seek legal advice. I guess I never relied entirely on Reddit exclusively for answers on all of these things, I like to check multiple places.