Self-Hosting Immich as a Privacy-Focused Alternative to Google Photos and iCloud
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Published on May 22, 2026
Summary
The author describes their decision to self-host Immich as a photo management solution after deleting their Google account and wanting to move away from cloud-based photo services like Google Photos and iCloud. They express distrust of big tech companies using personal media for AI training and advertising, and detail their journey toward self-hosting as a privacy-conscious alternative.
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Key quotes
· 3 pulledTraditional photo libraries like Amazon or Google Photos will sell and use my media to build an AI and advertising profile on my family, and they can refuse me access to my photos.
I get to 'own nothing and be happy.' Well, I'm not happy with that offer—I've used Windows before, so I know when I'm being screwed over.
I deleted my Google account two weeks ago, and the only loose end was to get my wife off of paying for iCloud photos.
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