Learning
Welcome to the MySovereignty.digital learning centre. Here you’ll find documentation, tutorials, and answers to common questions to help you on your digital sovereignty journey. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, our community is here to help.
Documentation Library
Our comprehensive documentation covers everything from basic concepts to advanced implementation strategies. Browse by category or search for specific topics.
Getting Started
Quick Start Guide
- Determine which migration path is right for you
- Follow the step-by-step instructions for your selected path
- Use the tools recommended for your specific needs
- Join our community for support and knowledge sharing
- Track your progress using our downloadable checklists
Understanding Digital Sovereignty
Digital sovereignty means taking back control over your digital infrastructure, data, and online experiences. It’s about reducing dependency on dominant tech ecosystems and creating a more diverse, privacy-respecting technological landscape for yourself or your organization.
Key components of digital sovereignty include:
- Data Control: Knowing where your data is stored and who has access to it
- Privacy: Reducing unwanted tracking and surveillance
- Jurisdictional Considerations: Understanding how laws in different countries affect your data
- Alternative Tools: Using software and services that respect your autonomy
- Infrastructure Independence: Reducing reliance on centralized platforms
Choosing Your Path
We offer four distinct migration paths based on your needs, technical comfort level, and specific circumstances:
| Path | Best For | Technical Level | Time Investment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essential | Casual users seeking simple, reliable alternatives | Beginner | 3-6 months |
| Business | Small businesses and teams needing collaboration tools | Beginner to Intermediate | 3-6 months |
| Individual | Tech-comfortable individuals seeking significant control | Intermediate | 4-8 months |
| Enhanced | Technically proficient individuals leveraging AI | Advanced | 6-12 months |
Each path includes detailed instructions, recommended tools, and practical advice for making the transition at your own pace. Visit our Guide to explore each path in detail.
Tool Documentation
Perplexity Search
Perplexity is an AI-powered search engine that offers an alternative to traditional search engines like Google. It provides direct answers to questions along with citations and sources, helping you find information more efficiently while reducing tracking.
Key Features:
- AI-powered search that provides direct answers to questions
- Citations and sources for fact-checking
- Reduced tracking compared to mainstream search engines
- Conversation-based interface for follow-up questions
- Available on web browsers and mobile devices
Privacy Considerations:
While Perplexity offers improved privacy compared to Google, it’s important to note:
- Perplexity is a US-based company
- Some search data may be retained for service improvement
- Consider using Perplexity without an account for increased privacy
- For maximum privacy, consider using Perplexity through a privacy-focused browser like Vivaldi
Usage Tips:
- Be specific with your queries to get more accurate results
- Use the follow-up feature to refine your search
- Check the sources provided to verify information quality
- Explore topic areas to discover related information
Vivaldi Browser
Vivaldi is a highly customizable, privacy-focused browser developed by former Opera developers. Based in Norway, Vivaldi offers strong privacy features while maintaining compatibility with Chrome extensions.
Key Features:
- Built-in ad and tracker blocking
- Extensive customization options
- Tab management tools including tab stacking and tiling
- Built-in email client, calendar, and feed reader
- Sync functionality across devices
- Compatible with Chrome extensions
- Developed by a European company (Norway)
Privacy Features:
- No data collection or user tracking by default
- Built-in ad blocker and tracker prevention
- Privacy-focused search engine options
- Control over first-party and third-party cookies
- End-to-end encrypted sync
Recommended Settings for Maximum Privacy:
- Enable Tracker and Ad Blocking in Privacy settings
- Set DuckDuckGo, Startpage, or Perplexity as your default search engine
- Configure cookie handling to block third-party cookies
- Disable Google Safe Browsing (sends URLs to Google)
- Enable “Do Not Track” option
- Consider disabling WebRTC or limiting its IP handling
More Documentation Coming Soon
We’re actively expanding our documentation library. Check back regularly for new content.
Step-by-Step Tutorials
Our detailed tutorials will guide you through common tasks and setup procedures to help you implement digital sovereignty practices in your daily life.
Getting Started with Perplexity Search
Perplexity is an AI-powered search engine that offers an alternative to Google with reduced tracking and more direct answers. This tutorial will guide you through setting up and effectively using Perplexity.
Open your browser and navigate to https://www.perplexity.ai.
The Perplexity homepage features a clean interface with a search bar in the center. You can start using Perplexity immediately without creating an account.
Type a question or search query into the search bar and press Enter or click the search button.
For example, try searching: What are the benefits of digital sovereignty?
Notice how Perplexity provides a direct answer to your question, along with citations and sources. This allows you to quickly get information while also being able to verify where it came from.
One of Perplexity’s strongest features is the ability to ask follow-up questions in the same search session. After receiving your initial results, simply type a follow-up question in the search bar at the bottom of the results page.
For example, after searching about digital sovereignty, you might ask: What are the first steps to implement digital sovereignty?
To make Perplexity your default search engine, you’ll need to configure your browser settings. The process varies slightly depending on your browser:
In Vivaldi:
- Click the Vivaldi menu (V icon in the top-left corner)
- Select Settings
- Navigate to Search in the sidebar
- Click the “Add” button
- For Nickname, enter “Perplexity”
- For URL, enter:
https://www.perplexity.ai/search?q=%s - Optional: Add a keyword like “p” for quick access
- Click “Add” to save
- Set Perplexity as the default by clicking the “Set as Default” button
Perplexity offers several advanced features that can enhance your search experience:
Copilot Mode
Enabling Copilot allows for more interactive and collaborative searching. It’s available to signed-in users and provides more context-aware follow-ups.
Collections
You can save search results to collections for future reference. This is useful for research projects or topics you frequently revisit.
Focus Filters
Perplexity lets you filter results by Academic, Writing, or YouTube sources. Use these filters to narrow down results to specific types of content.
Setting Up Vivaldi Browser for Privacy and Security
Vivaldi is a privacy-focused browser developed in Norway that offers extensive customization options while maintaining compatibility with Chrome extensions. This tutorial will guide you through installing and configuring Vivaldi for optimal privacy and security.
Visit the official Vivaldi website at https://vivaldi.com and download the appropriate version for your operating system.
Follow the installation instructions for your operating system:
Windows:
- Run the downloaded installer (.exe file)
- Follow the on-screen instructions
- Choose whether to make Vivaldi your default browser
macOS:
- Open the downloaded .dmg file
- Drag the Vivaldi icon to the Applications folder
- Open Vivaldi from your Applications folder
Linux:
- For .deb packages:
sudo dpkg -i vivaldi-stable_*.deb - For .rpm packages:
sudo rpm -ivh vivaldi-stable_*.rpm - Or follow distribution-specific instructions on the Vivaldi website
When you first launch Vivaldi, you’ll be greeted with a setup wizard that helps you configure your basic preferences:
- Choose your theme (Dark, Light, or System)
- Select tab bar position (Top, Bottom, Left, or Right)
- Choose address bar position
- Configure start page content
- Import bookmarks and settings from other browsers (optional)
To maximize your privacy in Vivaldi, follow these steps:
- Click the Vivaldi button in the top-left corner (or press Alt+P)
- Select Settings
- Navigate to Privacy and Security in the sidebar
Configure the following privacy settings:
- Enable Tracker and Ad Blocking – Set to “Block Trackers and Ads”
- Cookie Handling – Set to “Block Third-Party Cookies”
- Do Not Track – Enable
- Google Safe Browsing – Consider disabling (sends URLs to Google)
- WebRTC IP Handling Policy – Set to “Default Public and Private Interfaces”
- Media Autoplay Settings – Set to “Never Autoplay”
Vivaldi comes with several search engine options, but for maximum privacy, you should configure a privacy-focused search engine as your default:
- Go to Settings > Search
- In the “Search Engines” section, you’ll see a list of available search engines
- To add Perplexity (or another custom search engine):
- Click “Add” button
- Name: Enter “Perplexity”
- URL: Enter
https://www.perplexity.ai/search?q=%s - Suggest URL: Leave blank
- Click “Add” to save
- Find your new search engine in the list and click “Set as Default”
Other privacy-focused search engines to consider:
- DuckDuckGo:
https://duckduckgo.com/?q=%s - Startpage:
https://www.startpage.com/do/search?q=%s - Brave Search:
https://search.brave.com/search?q=%s
While Vivaldi has built-in tracker and ad blocking, you can enhance your privacy further with these extensions:
- Click the Vivaldi button > Tools > Extensions
- Click “Open Chrome Web Store”
- Search for and install these recommended extensions:
- uBlock Origin – Advanced ad and tracker blocker
- Privacy Badger – Learns to block invisible trackers
- Decentraleyes – Protects against tracking through CDNs
- ClearURLs – Removes tracking elements from URLs
Vivaldi offers several other features to enhance your privacy and security:
Private Windows
Use private windows when you don’t want your browsing to be saved in your history:
- Press Ctrl+Shift+N (Windows/Linux) or Cmd+Shift+N (macOS)
- Or click the Vivaldi menu and select “New Private Window”
History and Cookie Clearing
Regularly clear your browsing data:
- Press Ctrl+Shift+Del (Windows/Linux) or Cmd+Shift+Del (macOS)
- Select the types of data you want to clear and the time range
- Click “Clear Browsing Data”
Site-Specific Settings
Configure privacy settings for specific websites:
- Click the shield icon in the address bar when visiting a website
- Adjust settings for cookies, notifications, and other permissions
For users seeking maximum privacy, these additional steps can further enhance your protection:
Disable Autofill
- Go to Settings > Privacy and Security > Autofill
- Disable “Enable Auto-filling of Forms”
Disable Password Saving
- Go to Settings > Privacy and Security > Passwords
- Uncheck “Offer to Save Passwords”
- Consider using a separate password manager like Bitwarden instead
Customize URL Handling
- Go to Settings > Privacy and Security > Advanced
- Disable “Use a prediction service to load pages more quickly”
- Disable “Use a prediction service to help complete searches and URLs”
More Tutorials Coming Soon
We’re actively developing additional tutorials covering all aspects of digital sovereignty. Check back regularly for new content.
Upcoming tutorials will include:
- Setting up ProtonMail for secure email
- Installing and configuring Linux Mint
- Getting started with NextCloud
- Basic security practices for everyday users
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions about digital sovereignty and our resources.
What exactly is digital sovereignty?
Digital sovereignty refers to having autonomy and control over your digital presence, data, and technology choices. It involves reducing dependency on surveillance-based technology ecosystems while maintaining functionality and convenience.
For individuals, it means having meaningful control over your digital life. For organizations, it means ensuring data and operations aren’t subject to external jurisdictions or proprietary lock-in.
Digital sovereignty isn’t just about technical solutions—it’s about making conscious choices that align with your values and priorities.
Do I need to be a technical expert to achieve digital sovereignty?
No. A core principle of MySovereignty.digital is that sovereignty should be accessible to everyone, regardless of technical expertise. Our Essential migration path is specifically designed for non-technical users who want to take simple, practical steps toward greater digital independence.
While more advanced options exist for those with technical skills, meaningful improvements in digital sovereignty are achievable for anyone willing to make gradual changes in their digital habits and tools.
Will I lose functionality by switching to sovereignty-respecting alternatives?
In most cases, sovereignty-respecting alternatives offer comparable functionality to mainstream options, though the user experience may differ. Our recommendations prioritize tools that maintain practical usability while enhancing privacy and control.
There is often a trade-off between perfect sovereignty and convenience. Our guides acknowledge these trade-offs honestly and suggest compromises where necessary to maintain essential functionality.
We believe in progressive implementation—start with changes that have minimal impact on your workflow, then gradually explore more comprehensive solutions as your comfort level increases.
How much will implementing digital sovereignty cost?
The cost varies widely depending on your approach. Many sovereignty-enhancing changes (like switching browsers or search engines) are completely free. Others involve modest subscription fees for services like secure email (typically NZ$5-15/month).
Hardware changes represent the largest potential cost but are entirely optional. Our guides clearly indicate the cost implications of different choices, allowing you to plan according to your budget.
We recommend starting with free alternatives and gradually investing in paid services or hardware as your needs and commitment to digital sovereignty evolve.
Is this project anti-American?
No. This project focuses on technical characteristics and sovereignty impacts rather than geopolitics. We recommend reducing dependency on any single jurisdiction or corporation, regardless of national origin.
We simply acknowledge the reality that certain legal frameworks can impact data privacy, and diversifying jurisdictional exposure can enhance sovereignty.
Our recommendations are based on technical merit, privacy protection capabilities, and accessibility to users—not political considerations.
How do you select the tools you recommend?
We evaluate tools based on five primary criteria:
- Sovereignty Impact: How effectively it reduces dependency on surveillance-based ecosystems
- Usability: How accessible it is for the intended user level
- Features: How comprehensive its capabilities are compared to mainstream alternatives
- Support: How well maintained and documented it is
- Community: How active and helpful the user community is
We do not receive compensation for any recommendations and have no commercial relationships with providers.
How can I contribute to this project?
We welcome contributions in several forms:
- Sharing experiences with specific tools or migration processes
- Suggesting tools or resources we haven’t covered
- Providing feedback on our guides and recommendations
- Contributing technical expertise for more advanced solutions
- Translating resources into additional languages
Use our contact form or the dedicated contribution form on our Resources page to get started.
What is the relationship between AI and digital sovereignty?
AI presents both challenges and opportunities for digital sovereignty:
Challenges:
- Most advanced AI systems are developed by large US corporations
- Training data often includes personal information collected through surveillance
- AI systems can create new forms of dependency and control
Opportunities:
- AI can help non-technical users implement sovereignty measures
- Some AI systems can run locally, reducing dependency on cloud services
- AI assistants can help explain complex privacy concepts and guide users
Our Enhanced migration path specifically explores how to use AI while maintaining digital sovereignty, including strategies for local AI deployment and privacy-preserving AI interactions.
Transparency Report
We believe in complete transparency about how we use the funds entrusted to us and what data we collect.
Transparency Report In Development
Our first transparency report is currently in development and will be published here soon. The report will include:
- Financial information including income sources and expenditures
- Project funding allocation and impact
- Future funding goals and priorities
- Community growth metrics
- Data collection and privacy practices
We’re committed to maintaining complete transparency in our operations. Check back in the coming weeks for our inaugural report.
Community Support
Connect with others on their digital sovereignty journey. Our community members are here to help answer questions and share their experiences.
Community Forum Coming Soon
We’re in the process of setting up our community forum where you can:
- Ask questions and get answers from experienced community members
- Share your digital sovereignty experiences
- Discover tips and tricks from other users
- Stay updated on new tools and alternatives
- Connect with like-minded individuals
In the meantime, you can find community support through these channels:
- r/privacy – Reddit community focused on privacy topics
- r/degoogle – Reddit community for reducing Google dependencies
- New Zealand Linux Users Group – Local support for Linux users
- Contact Form – Direct questions to our team
Need Additional Help?
Can’t find what you’re looking for? Have a specific question about your digital sovereignty journey? We’re here to help.
Contact Us