(Note: there are a plethora of resources at the bottom of this article for reference and education. THIS is what is happening right now in the United States and around the world. So, read, learn, take a deep breath, and then let's organize and starve this movement!)
If you’re wondering who’s really pulling the strings behind Trump’s shock-and-awe tactics, it’s not the old white boys’ network—it’s the new white boys’ network: the insecure, socially inept billionaire boys club.
It might sound like something out of a dystopian novel, but the Neoreactionary Movement is real (think anarcho-capitalists and crypto fascists), and it’s gaining ground fast. The guy behind it is Curtis Yarvin, also known as Mencius Moldbug - which should tell you everything. He’s convinced a bunch of rich tech bros that they’re meant to rule the world, and the rest of us? Well, we’re all supposed to just fall in line and say, "yes, daddy."
These tech bros believe they’re smarter than everyone else. Their worldview is a mix of libertarian fantasy, techno-utopian nonsense, and an unhealthy dose of ego. They think they’re special because they know how to code and make money (or in Elon's case, buy someone elses work). In their minds, that’s all it takes to run the world.
At the heart of it, they believe that being smart (by their definition) is the only thing that matters. And since they’ve made a lot of money, they’ve decided that makes them geniuses. It’s like saying, “I’m rich, so I must be the smartest person alive.” It’s a loop that feeds itself, with no reality check.
Their ideas are built on a mix of Ayn Rand’s “every man for himself” nonsense (go read Atlas Shrugged for educational purposes), the myth that hard work alone guarantees success, and this belief that technology can fix everything. They don’t just think they can rule the world—they think they should. They see themselves as the heroes of history, armed with laptops instead of swords, “disrupting” industries like the world is some video game designed for them to win.
But here’s the thing—they don’t actually understand the world. They just think they do. They dismiss things like history, ethics, and philosophy because you can’t measure them with data or stick them in a spreadsheet. Their arrogance doesn’t come from knowing too much—it comes from knowing too little and thinking that’s all there is to know.
In simple terms: they don’t want to rule the world because they get it. They want to rule it because they don’t—and they’ve convinced themselves that understanding isn’t necessary when you can just tear everything down and call it progress.
And this isn’t just some fringe internet theory. It’s already here. We are watching it play out in real time. Elon Musk is infiltrating our democracy, taking control of the U.S. Treasury, which holds over $6 trillion, giving him unprecedented influence over the nation’s financial systems (an possibly purging it?). He’s not just controlling the money—he’s rewriting the code for our entire economic framework, controlling how resources are allocated and who benefits. Newsflash: it won't be those who need it the most. Meanwhile, Trump works to dismantle democratic safeguards including:
Firing the entire oversigh board of the FAA and purging inspector generals across key federal agencies.
Gutted environmental protections.
Rolled back civil rights protections.
Signed sweeping executive orders consolidating control over federal law enforcement, expanding domestic surveillance, and taking the power away from the DOJ.
And while this is happening, the billionaire tech bros—Musk, Zuckerberg, Pichai, and those controlling TikTok— have control of all corporate owned social media channels and are rewriting the narrative and working to suppress dissent.
Neoreactionary: A History
Elizabeth Sandifer’s "Neoreaction a Basilisk: Essays on and Around the Alt-Right" explains the neoreactionary movement (NRx) and the alt-right in simple terms, showing who’s behind it, what they believe, and how it spreads online. It’s not a dry, academic book—it’s sharp, darkly funny (but honestly pretty terrifying), and tells the hard truths without holding back.
At the center of all this is Curtis Yarvin (aka Mencius Moldbug), a tech bro who basically cooked up the whole NRx movement. His big idea? Democracy is a failure, and the world would run better like a giant corporation—with one CEO in charge, making all the decisions, no questions asked. Sandifer breaks down his thinking and shows that it’s not some groundbreaking philosophy—it’s just the same old authoritarian nonsense, repackaged with a tech-bro twist.
But the book isn’t just about Yarvin. Sandifer connects the dots between NRx, Peter Thiel, and even Donald Trump. Thiel’s got some pretty clear anti-democratic views—he literally thinks freedom and democracy don’t mix—and that fits right into this whole mess. Then there’s JD Vance, who’s taken these ideas mainstream, especially with all his talk about dismantling the so-called “deep state,” and dismantling women's rights.
One of the standout parts of the book digs into Gamergate, which Sandifer describes as the training ground for the alt-right. It’s where a lot of toxic ideas about masculinity, power, and online mob rule were tested out before they exploded into politics. She even dives into wild conspiracy theories like David Icke’s “lizard people” nonsense—not because anyone with common sense takes it seriously, but because it shows just how deep people will fall down the rabbit hole when they’re desperate for simple answers to complex problems.
What makes Sandifer’s book so powerful is her style. She doesn’t just pick these ideas apart like some dry academic—she rips them to shreds with brutal logic and sharp, biting humor. Reading it feels like a mix between a political analysis and a horror story, because honestly, that’s exactly what this stuff is.
She also lays out exactly how we got here—how this Neoreactionary Movement crawled out of weird corners of the internet and ended up shaping mainstream politics. She connects the dots between tech culture, online radicalization, and political power, showing that this didn’t happen overnight. It’s been creeping in slowly, on purpose, right under our noses.
How It Happened:
The Intellectual Roots (Curtis Yarvin & NRx): It starts with Curtis Yarvin, who packaged old-school authoritarian ideas with tech-savvy language. He framed democracy as inefficient, arguing for corporate-style governance with a strong, unaccountable leader—basically, a CEO running a country. His blogs weren’t widely read outside niche internet circles, but they planted the seeds. Yarvin has suggested that implementing his vision could be straightforward: “I think it could be done by, um, anyone with a few billion dollars to spare." (Who do we know who has a few billion to spare? Hmmm...). Important Note: Yarvin popularized the Matrix (yes, the movie) term "red-pill," which means waking up to what they see as the “truth” about politics, society, and power structures—usually tied to anti-democratic, misogynistic, and authoritarian ideologies
The Tech Connection (Peter Thiel & Silicon Valley): Enter Peter Thiel, a billionaire who didn’t just read Yarvin’s work—he put it into action. Thiel’s belief that democracy and freedom are incompatible echoes Yarvin’s ideas. Through funding candidates like JD Vance and influencing tech culture, Thiel helped move these fringe ideas into powerful political spaces.
The Gamergate Effect (Online Radicalization): Sandifer argues that Gamergate was the turning point. What looked like an internet feud over video games turned into a training ground for online harassment, radicalization, and political manipulation. The tactics developed there—doxxing, mob mentality, disinformation—became tools for the alt-right to recruit and organize. Oh, and they hate women - really hate women.
Mainstream Crossover (Trump & Pop Culture): Donald Trump’s rise was the moment these ideas broke into the mainstream. Trump’s authoritarian style, his disdain for democratic norms, and his appeal to internet trolls weren’t coincidences—they were part of the same ecosystem Yarvin and Thiel thrived in. Trump became the charismatic figure who could channel online rage into real-world political power, even though he is the antithesis of these tech-bros.
Billionaire Influence (Elon Musk & Techno-Authoritarianism): Now, with figures like Elon Musk controlling major platforms like Twitter/X, the infrastructure for spreading these ideas is in the hands of people who sympathize with them—or at least benefit from them. Musk’s push for “free speech absolutism” often serves as a cover for amplifying extremist voices, further normalizing reactionary ideas.
Before we move on to the bigger picture, let’s call out the other bad actors—because, yes, all billionaire tech bros are the same. And let's not forget, JD Vance is their agent for this dystopian hellscape, and Trump is their useful idiot. And while we’re at it,we'll highlight their views on women and marginalized communities—because spoiler alert: they’re as vile as you’d expect.
JD Vance: Author of Hillbilly Elegy and Republican U.S. Senator from Ohio, Vance has received significant backing from Thiel. While not explicitly NRx (allegedly), Vance’s populist-nationalist politics, focus on traditional family structures, and critiques of liberal democracy echo some NRx themes. His transformation from a critic of Trump to a loyal supporter reflects his alignment with the broader authoritarian shift in right-wing politics.
Mark Zuckerberg & Jeff Bezos: While not openly aligned with NRx (allegedly), both have facilitated the spread of its influence through the platforms they control. Facebook (now Meta) under Zuckerberg has been a breeding ground for disinformation, radicalization, and the amplification of far-right voices. Bezos, through Amazon’s control over cloud infrastructure and The Washington Post, has played a more complex role—balancing corporate interests while navigating political influence, yet benefiting from the deregulation favored by authoritarian-leaning policies.
Sundar Pichai: As CEO of Google, Pichai represents another critical player in this landscape. His presence at Trump’s inauguration signaled the uneasy alliance between Big Tech and authoritarian power. Google’s algorithms and data infrastructure have inadvertently supported the spread of extremist content, reinforcing echo chambers that fuel reactionary ideologies.
How NRx Views Women and Marginalized Communities
The Neoreactionary philosophy is also deeply regressive and exclusionary views toward women and minorities. While it often disguises these beliefs under intellectual jargon or technocratic language, at its core, NRx is about reinforcing hierarchies—and that means putting certain groups “in their place” according to their worldview.
How NRx Views Women:
Anti-Equality: NRx thinkers reject the idea of gender equality. They believe feminism has “weakened” society and that women should return to traditional roles—submissive, domestic, and dependent on male authority.
Hostility Toward Feminism: Feminism is framed as a destructive force that undermines the “natural order” of male dominance. They view women’s liberation not as progress but as a threat to societal stability.
Objectification: In many NRx spaces, women are often discussed not as individuals but as assets—valuable for reproduction, maintaining family structures, and serving men’s needs.
(Note: women outnumber men in the United States by over 3.5 million and counting. They are also more highly educated than men. Remember that, ladies!)
How NRx Views Marginalized Communities:
Ethno-Nationalism: While not all NRx adherents are openly white supremacist (allegedly), the movement is heavily influenced by ideas that prioritize white, Western “civilization” as superior. There’s an emphasis on “cultural homogeneity,” which is code for excluding immigrants, people of color, and anyone who doesn’t fit their vision of society (think trans community).
Anti-Democratic Racism: Because democracy gives all citizens a voice, NRx thinkers often argue that it leads to “undesirable” outcomes—especially when minorities gain political power. This is why they prefer authoritarian systems, where a select elite (usually white men) make decisions without public input.
Dog-Whistle Language: They often avoid outright racist slurs, instead using terms like “Western values,” “IQ differences,” “cultural decline," or "DEI" to push racist (and sexist) ideas without being immediately obvious.
The Big Picture:
Sandifer shows that this isn’t just about a few bad actors—it’s a systemic shift where tech billionaires, online radicals, and political opportunists work together, intentionally or not. It’s about how niche internet philosophies became part of national policy, reshaping how people think about power, governance, and democracy itself.
This isn’t just a fringe movement anymore—it’s baked into the mainstream.
Think of it like this: Peter Thiel and JD Vance are the “idea guys,” providing the playbook. Elon Musk, Zuck, Pichai, and (and now Tik Tok - more on that later) is the megaphone, blasting their message through tech platforms and media. And Donald Trump? He’s the figurehead and the guy actually putting those authoritarian ideas into practice. Together, they represent different pieces of the same puzzle—a global trend that’s slowly (or maybe not so slowly) dismantling democracy and replacing it with systems where a handful of rich, powerful people call all the shots.
The 2025 Election: The Turning Point
The 2025 election wasn’t just another political contest—it was the breaking point. Trump’s return to power wasn’t some fluke comeback; it was the result of years of chipping away at democracy.
Polarization: The country was more divided than ever.
Disinformation: Lies and propaganda spread like wildfire, especially online.
Voter Suppression: Legal loopholes and shady tactics made it harder for people to vote, especially in marginalized communities.
This didn’t happen overnight. Far-right billionaires and political elites spent years laying the groundwork—pushing anti-democratic ideas under the banner of “populism” and “anti-woke” rhetoric. Their goal? Make authoritarianism sound like common sense. And they constantly use the rhetoric "it's common sense" and it's infiltrated into the language of the every day American that doesn't possess, well, much common sense. (And DO NOT discount the role of neoliberal democrats in this process).
How They Did It: Undermining Democracy from the Inside
Legal Manipulation: They used the courts, especially a conservative Supreme Court, to twist election laws in their favor.
State-Level Power Grabs: By controlling state legislatures, they made it easier to suppress votes and harder to challenge election outcomes.
NRx Influence: In recent years, Thiel and Vance built the intellectual and financial machine behind this shift, normalizing authoritarian ideas within mainstream politics.
The Unelected Power Brokers: Musk, Zuckerberg, Pichai, and the TikTok Takeover
Enter Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, and Sundar Pichai—the unelected power brokers controlling way more than you think. They weren't given front row seats and the inauguration of Trump on January 20, 2025 by accident. These aren’t just tech billionaires running companies, they’ve become some of the most powerful people on the planet without ever running for office. Their power doesn’t come from winning votes—it comes from controlling what we see, what we hear, and ultimately, what we believe.
And it’s not just Musk acting alone. His partnership—both direct and indirect—with Zuckerberg and Pichai has created a tech oligarchy that controls the narrative, shapes public opinion, and influences elections. Add the force of TikTok, now being manipulated through legislative action, and you’ve got an ecosystem designed to amplify propaganda, suppress dissent, and manufacture consent.
How They Control the Narrative
Elon Musk and X (Formerly Twitter): Musk loves to call himself a “free speech absolutist,” but let’s be real—he’s turned Twitter (now X) into an echo chamber for far-right propaganda. It’s not about free speech when the platform actively promotes misinformation while silencing voices that challenge authoritarian power. Under Musk, X has become a tool for controlling the conversation, not opening it up.
Mark Zuckerberg and Meta (Facebook/Instagram): Zuckerberg is the king of algorithmic manipulation. Facebook doesn’t just connect people—it decides what people see, which directly shapes what they think. Their algorithm is designed to keep people angry, divided, and addicted, feeding them content that triggers emotional reactions. Instagram does the same thing but packages it with pretty pictures and influencer culture to make it seem harmless. It’s not.
Sundar Pichai and Google/YouTube:Google controls the internet. What you search for, the results you get, the videos you watch on YouTube—all of it is filtered through algorithms that decide what’s “important” and what isn’t. This isn’t just about search results; it’s about controlling the flow of information. YouTube, in particular, has become a radicalization machine, pulling people into extremist content while burying anything that challenges the status quo.
The TikTok Power Play
And then there’s TikTok, one of the most powerful tools for psychological manipulation (allegedly). Recently, U.S. lawmakers passed the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, forcing TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, to sell the app to an American company—or face a nationwide ban.
Now, on the surface, this looks like a move to protect national security. But let’s connect the dots:
Forced Sale: This law didn’t just pop up overnight. It’s part of a broader plan to take control of TikTok’s algorithm, which dictates what content people see. That algorithm isn’t just powerful—it’s addictive. Whoever controls it has the ability to shape the thoughts, behaviors, and opinions of millions.
The 12-Hour Blackout: On January 18, 2025, TikTok mysteriously went dark in the U.S. for about 12 hours. When it came back online, the platform was flooded with messages praising Donald Trump for “saving” TikTok. Coincidence? Doubtful. This blackout felt more like a calculated move—a ploy to make Trump look like the hero while quietly shifting control of the app’s influence to the people pulling the strings behind the scenes.
The Real Agenda: The forced sale isn’t about protecting us from foreign influence. It’s about making sure American billionaires and politicians control the narrative. If TikTok ends up in the hands of the same people running Meta, Google, and X, it’s game over for independent thought on social media. Note: with the 12 hour blackout, it may have already happened without our consent.
It’s Not Just About Social Media—They Control the Infrastructure
Musk’s SpaceX and Starlink:
Musk doesn’t just own Twitter. He controls SpaceX and Starlink, which handle critical communication infrastructure. That means he’s not just deciding what people see online—he’s got a say in whether people can even get online in the first place. This isn’t about internet freedom. It’s about controlling the very foundation of how we communicate.
Corporate Power + Government Control = Modern Fascism
Here’s where it gets even darker. It’s not just about these billionaires controlling tech. It’s about how their power blends with government authority. Musk’s cozy relationship with Trump’s administration is part of a bigger picture—tech giants working hand-in-hand with authoritarian politicians to protect their wealth and power while pushing policies that silence opposition.
This is what modern fascism looks like. Not tanks in the streets—algorithms in your feed. Not leaders shouting from podiums—billionaires deciding what you see, hear, and believe without you even realizing it.
And if we don’t fight back, they’ll keep tightening their grip until there’s nothing left to fight for.
The Rise of Internment Camps: Yes, It’s Happening
The scariest part? We’ve crossed a line most of us thought was unthinkable. Internment camps are no longer some dark chapter from history—they’re becoming a reality in the U.S.
Targeting Dissent: These camps are framed as “necessary for national security,” but will be used to detain immigrants, political activists, journalists, and marginalized communities.
Legal Cover: They’re using laws and court decisions to make this legal. The Laken Riley Act, which passed with bipartisan support (yes, even some Democrats voted for it - 12 Senate Democrats and 46 House Democrats), is part of what’s normalized this horrifying practice.
Manufactured Crises: Just like authoritarian regimes of the past, they create or exaggerate crises to justify extreme measures. If they are sounding the alarm, they are more likely than not manufacturing a lie. They steal the ignorance of the populace and repackage it as fear and sell it right back to them.
History Is Repeating Itself—Right in Front of Us
What’s happening in the U.S. right now isn’t new. We’ve seen this before—just with different names and faces.
The Reichstag Fire Parallel: In 1933, Hitler used the Reichstag fire to justify seizing absolute power. In the U.S., modern crises—real or staged—are being used to do the same thing.
Cult of Personality: Trump’s loyal following isn’t just political support—it’s a cult of personality, fueled by propaganda and fear. Combine that with Musk’s tech empire, and you’ve got the perfect storm of charismatic leadership mixed with elite power—the same formula that fueled fascist movements in the 20th century.
This Is the Fight of Our Lives
The terrifying truth? This isn’t a warning about what could happen. This is about what’s already happening.
If we don’t recognize it—and fight back—we’re not just watching democracy fall apart. We’re helping them tear it down.
How do we stop this, you ask?
We stop this by fucking STARVING them from what gives them power and ridiculing the shit out of them!
We MUST withdrawal from participation through economic disobedience and collective action. Tech-bro power (and the capitalist machinery it rides on) is built on user engagement, data extraction (buying their products), consumer loyalty, and labor exploitation.
If we starve them of this, their power disappears. At the end of the day, they’re just insecure, impressionable guys who wouldn’t know what to do without the systems holding them up.
Here’s how that disruption works:
Ridicule tech bros publicly: the key is to puncture the carefully curated myth of their self-importance with sharp, unapologetic satire (as Elizabeth does). Call them out for what they are—overgrown dudes with Wi-Fi, pretending they’re the second coming of Einstein because they made an app that delivers tacos faster. The trick is to hit where it hurts: their egos. Point out how their “groundbreaking innovations” are mostly just rebranded versions of stuff we already had—like Uber, which is basically a taxi service with surge pricing and fewer labor rights. Make fun of their look: the Patagonia vests, the “I’m too busy optimizing my life to have a personality” vibe, and that weird TED Talk voice where every sentence sounds like it’s supposed to change the world, but it’s really just another way to sell us back the stuff we already own. Ask them simple questions like, “Wait, so what do you actually do?” Because once you shine a light on it, the whole thing falls apart. They’re not geniuses. They’re just guys with apps.
Economic Boycott: Refusing to buy their products, use their platforms, or engage with their services hits them where it hurts most—their bottom line. Tech empires rely on constant growth; even a small decline can trigger massive ripple effects in investor confidence. We PURGE Meta, Google/YouTube/, Twitter (X), and TikTok and move to alternatives that are open source where no corporation holds power, i.e. BlueSky, Skylight (Tik Tok alternative being developed on AT protocol), PeerTube, and others (see full list of alternatives at end of post).
Digital Disengagement: Social media thrives on participation. Purging accounts, limiting screen time, and disrupting algorithms by refusing to "feed" them with data can destabilize the ad-driven revenue models that companies like Meta, X, and TikTok depend on.
Labor Strikes: Tech giants depend not just on coders but on the invisible labor that supports them—warehouse workers, gig economy drivers, content moderators, even the freelance economy. Coordinated labor strikes and union movements threaten the very infrastructure they rely on. Think of our push for a National Strike (generalstrikeus.com).
Financial Disobedience: Moving money out of tech-linked financial institutions, investing in local credit unions, or supporting community-based economies undermines the centralized financial control they benefit from.
Mass Mobilization: Protest and public demonstration serve as visible rejection—not just of specific policies but of the very systems that enable tech oligarchs to shape society. Occupying physical and digital spaces disrupts the narrative that their dominance is inevitable.
Cultural Resistance: Stop buying into the myth of the 'tech genius.' That’s a form of resistance all on its own. The moment we quit treating billionaires like heroes and start seeing them for what they really are—parasites feeding off the rest of us—their power starts to crumble.
The key is collective action.
Individual resistance can be meaningful, but systemic disruption requires mass participation, coordinated strategies, and sustained effort.
The power they wield isn’t magical—it’s constructed, fragile, and deeply dependent on us playing along. When we stop, it stops.
Here are a few resources that delve into the Neoreactionary Movement:
Curtis Yarvin: Welcome to the Dark Enlightenment" – In this episode of UnHerd with Freddie Sayers, Curtis Yarvin, often considered the philosophical godfather of the neoreactionary movement, discusses his views on anti-democracy and accelerationism.
"NRx: The (underground) movement that wants to destroy democracy" – This episode explores the Neoreactionary Movement, also known as the Dark Enlightenment, which believes that democracy is a mistake and that equality is not a desirable goal.
"On the Unhappy Consciousness of Neoreactionaries" – This discussion delves into the philosophical underpinnings of the neoreactionary movement, examining critiques of Enlightenment values and the rise of anti-democratic thought.
Elizabeth Sandifer's Book Neoreaction a Basilisk: Essays on and Around the Alt-Right At Bookshop.org. (Please DO NOT use Amazon or other corporate owned bookstores. Go independent and STARVE them.)
Vox article: Why the far right is surging all over the world
Decentralized, User-Owned Social Media Platforms
These platforms prioritize user control, open-source development, and decentralized governance, making them resistant to corporate takeovers.
(Please let us know if we've missed anything!)
Most Popular & Likely to Remain User-Owned
Mastodon
Type: Microblogging (Twitter/X alternative)
Protocol: ActivityPub
Why It’s Popular: Large, active user base with thousands of independently operated servers (instances).
Ownership: Fully decentralized—no central authority can own or control the network.
Bluesky
Type: Microblogging (Twitter/X alternative)
Protocol: AT Protocol
Why It’s Popular: Rapid growth since launch; strong focus on decentralized identity and custom feeds.
Ownership: Open protocol ensures no single entity can monopolize the ecosystem.
PeerTube
Type: Video sharing (YouTube alternative)
Protocol: ActivityPub
Why It’s Popular: Federated video hosting with growing adoption among independent creators.
Ownership: Users host content on independent servers, preventing centralization.
Pixelfed
Type: Photo sharing (Instagram alternative)
Protocol: ActivityPub
Why It’s Popular: Instagram-like design with strong privacy controls.
Ownership: Federated; each server operates independently with no central ownership.
Emerging Platforms with High User-Control Potential
Skylight (In Development) (I've been meaning to do a video on this)
Type: Short-form video (TikTok alternative)
Protocol: AT Protocol
Why It’s Gaining Attention: Built on Bluesky’s framework for maximum decentralization and privacy.
Ownership: Designed to remain user-owned through decentralized architecture.
Friendica
Type: Social networking (Facebook alternative)
Protocol: ActivityPub-compatible
Why It’s Gaining Attention: Strong interoperability with other federated platforms like Mastodon.
Ownership: Fully decentralized, community-driven network.
Element (Matrix Protocol)
Type: Encrypted messaging (Slack/WhatsApp alternative)
Protocol: Matrix
Why It’s Gaining Attention: Secure, decentralized communications with growing adoption in activist and privacy-conscious communities.
Ownership: Open-source with decentralized hosting options.
Niche Platforms with Strong Decentralization
Diaspora
Type: Social networking (Facebook alternative)
Protocol: Custom federated protocol
Why It’s Niche: One of the oldest decentralized networks, still maintained by a dedicated community.
Ownership: Fully decentralized, run on independently operated “pods.”
Scuttlebutt (SSB Protocol)
Type: Decentralized social networking
Protocol: Peer-to-peer (P2P)
Why It’s Unique: Works offline, syncing data directly between devices.
Ownership: No servers, no corporate control—true peer-to-peer networking.
Minds
Type: Social networking (Facebook/YouTube hybrid)
Protocol: Partially decentralized, open-source
Why It’s Niche: Strong focus on free speech and privacy, with blockchain integration.
Ownership: Community-driven with transparent governance, though less federated than Mastodon.
Privacy-Focused Search Engines (Decentralized/Non-Corporate)
Searx
Type: Meta-search engine
Ownership: Open-source and self-hostable—no corporate influence.
YaCy
Type: Fully decentralized search engine
Ownership: Peer-to-peer; no central servers, ensuring complete independence.
Mojeek
Type: Independent search engine
Ownership: Built from scratch, no tracking, and no corporate ties.
MetaGer
Type: Meta-search engine
Ownership: Operated by a non-profit organization with strict privacy standards.