Seven months ago, I wrote about my intention to delete all of my Google services. Without a doubt, Google creates some incredible and easy-to-use products. However, their corporate positions on human rights, national defense, and privacy outraged me. I pledged to delete all of my Google services within the year. Yesterday, I closed my Nest account and I am officially out of Google’s orbit.

It was not an easy task. Google has its fingers in many pies, and their products, in many categories, are superior. The Nest Thermostat, for example, is a beautiful product with intuitive design. Their business listings present just the information that I need, when I need it. Waze is Waze. There’s little doubt that their trackers are following me across the Internet, but I’ve made myself a much narrower target.

The alternatives are not as good, but we have a much better values alignment. The themes that Cal Newport highlights in Digital Minimalism continue to reinforce my decision. I recommend the book to everyone. I want to protect my data, my family, and withhold to the maximum extent possible earnings that Google can generate off of me and my profile.

It’s been over a year since I’ve deleted my Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter accounts. It feels great to let Google join that list.