What to Do When You Don’t Want Ads and Eyes: Exploring the Underground Internet

The internet as we know it is dominated by ads, tracking technologies, and data collection. But what if you’re tired of constant surveillance and intrusive ads? What if you crave privacy, simplicity, and a more focused online experience? Enter the underground internet—a collection of technologies and platforms that offer an alternative to the hyper-commercialized web.

In this article, we’ll dive into tools and protocols like the Gemini protocol, bulletin board systems (BBS), and text-based web design. These technologies provide users with a minimalistic, private, and ad-free experience, far removed from the ad-driven, data-hungry mainstream web.

The Gemini Protocol: A Lightweight Alternative to HTTP

The Gemini protocol is a privacy-focused, minimal alternative to the traditional HTTP web protocol. It’s designed for users who want simplicity, security, and privacy without the bloated overhead of modern web pages. Gemini sites (often referred to as “capsules”) are intentionally bare-bones, offering text-heavy pages with limited media support.

Key Features of Gemini:

• No ads, no tracking: Gemini doesn’t support JavaScript or ads, so you’ll never have to worry about invasive trackers.
• Focus on content: With a simplified markup language (gemtext), Gemini strips away distractions, leaving just the content.
• Lightweight: Pages load quickly, even on slow connections, thanks to the protocol’s lightweight design.
• Privacy-first: Gemini emphasizes user privacy, with many servers not logging user data at all.

Gemini might seem like a step back from the media-rich modern web, but for those looking to reclaim privacy and avoid ads, it’s a refreshing change. Some users describe it as a more “human” internet—focused on meaningful interactions rather than clicks and views.

Bulletin Board Systems (BBS): The Original Social Networks

Before the rise of the modern internet, bulletin board systems (BBS) were a popular way for people to communicate, share files, and post messages. While many people today associate BBSs with the pre-internet era, they are still very much alive and well, especially among communities interested in niche topics or those seeking privacy from prying eyes.

Why BBS Still Matters:

• No corporate influence: BBSs are generally run by individuals or small communities, meaning there’s no profit motive driving their design. This makes them free from advertising and data collection.
• Anonymity: Many BBS systems emphasize user anonymity, which appeals to those who want to remain off the radar.
• Offline access: Some BBSs can be accessed via dial-up modems, which provide an alternative when internet access is restricted or unavailable.
• Nostalgia and simplicity: BBSs have a simple interface that many find charming and refreshing in contrast to modern, complex websites.

While BBSs don’t have the sleek design of social media platforms, they provide an intimate, ad-free space for communication and file sharing. For privacy-conscious users, they offer a glimpse into a more community-focused digital world.

Text-Based Web Browsing: A Minimalist Experience

For those tired of endless ads and autoplaying videos, text-based web browsing provides a breath of fresh air. While it may sound like something from the early days of the internet, text-based browsing is still relevant today for users seeking privacy and minimalism.

Benefits of Text-Based Browsing:

• Ad-free: Text-only browsers like Lynx don’t display images, videos, or ads, making for a clean browsing experience.
• Speed: Since you’re not loading multimedia elements, web pages load much faster.
• Low bandwidth: Text-based browsing is ideal for users with limited internet bandwidth or slow connections.
• Privacy: Without cookies, JavaScript, or trackers, text-based browsers offer a level of privacy that’s hard to match in modern browsers.

By using a text-only browser, you can navigate the web without distractions, focusing solely on the content. It’s an excellent option for people who prefer a streamlined experience without the clutter of pop-ups and banner ads.

Why These Technologies Matter

In today’s internet landscape, privacy is often sacrificed for convenience. Big tech companies track every click, search, and page view, while ads seem inescapable. The underground internet offers an alternative for users who value privacy and minimalism over flashy design and convenience.

• Gemini Protocol gives you a simple, privacy-first browsing experience.
• Bulletin Board Systems (BBS) allow for private, ad-free communication with like-minded communities.
• Text-based browsers eliminate ads and trackers, offering a fast, clean browsing experience.

These tools don’t just help you avoid ads; they represent a different philosophy of internet usage—one that prioritizes simplicity, privacy, and user control. For those who want to escape the attention economy and enjoy a more personal, ad-free internet, these underground technologies offer an oasis of calm.

Taking Control of Your Online Experience

If you’re looking for a way to avoid constant surveillance and ads, the underground internet offers plenty of solutions. By embracing protocols like Gemini, exploring old-school BBS systems, or switching to text-based web browsing, you can enjoy a more focused, ad-free, and private internet experience.

It’s all about taking back control of how you browse the web. By moving away from mainstream platforms, you can enjoy a quieter, more private online world where content—not ads—takes center stage.