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>We need these services. If I get lost, I need Google Maps to find the way. I need GPS. These are things that have no other alternative.

No you don't. These services didn't even exist ten years ago and people got along just fine. Get rid of them and I guarantee your intrepid little human resourcefulness will find ways of managing without them. They're first world luxuries, nothing more.

First install optional encryption software. Something like textsecure and redphone. This way you use your phone in the same way, but if there's an option for encryption, you can use it.

Then maybe just use with your spouse . since those conversations are very private, maybe you could Convince him/her. And it does buy you protection from law and inadvertent snooping by friends(if I understand otr correctly).

Now talk about this with your friends. They might want to use the same strategy.

And now some of you're friends have the software, it's just a matter of setting keys. Seems possible.

Minimizing their use minimizes the reason to have any fear or concern over the data NSA or whatever collects.

It's always better to use alternatives to the eavesdropped service, but the benefit comes from minimizing and eliminating the amount of eavesdropped data, so it's always good to minimize the usage. If it means to use Skype only in strictly required cases, I think it's acceptable as long as you realize that whatever you say or imply directly or indirectly or whatever can be gathered through metadata or side-channels, it's a no biggie really.

The best hide is to hide in the crowd and realize the situation and act accordingly.

As an alternative to google maps, try openstreetmap. It's got good coverage, and there are numerous routing engines based off it.

Also, try a map ;-) (semi serious)

On Android I use OSMAnd+ (uses OSM data) and have had good luck with using it to supplement GMaps. The map coverage is fantastic and IIRC you can download as much map data as your device will hold. That really helped me in Europe where my American mobile phone (Sprint network) did not work but its GPS receiver still did.

Not to mention all those who lack the required expertise, yet also deserve privacy.

That's why instead of looking for ways to ditch these services, we need to make sure they are audited on a regular basis, and that government agencies don't feel they are above the law; to remind our masters that only our consent gives them the power they crave.

While I agree with your sentiment, doing that will likely be difficult.

However, the end-to-end encryption is what we need, so that we don't have to rely or expect service providers to change. Things like PGP for sending emails, OTR for IM, Jitsi for video conferencing. All these do end-to-end encryption and this is what we should be moving to. So if you are using Gmail, but you only send PGP emails, great. You are using Google's services while not giving them anything.