Sustainable Substitutes for Cloud CDN

A CDN by Google, reinforcing data monopolies.

Reasons to avoid Cloud CDN

Avoid Google Cloud CDN to resist feeding into Google’s data monopoly and surveillance capitalism. As part of Alphabet’s ecosystem, it perpetuates opaque data collection and reliance on non-renewable energy. Its integration with Google’s broader infrastructure also ties users into a system designed to maximise data extraction and advertising revenue.

Go with a more sustainable solution for web content delivery.

Ethical and Sustainable Cloud CDN Alternatives

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  • Feasibility: How easily can the average user switch to this substitute? Higher feasibility results in a higher ranking.
  • Editor's Rating: How sustainable is the substitute? The more sustainability attributes it fulfils, the higher it is ranked.

OVHcloud CDN

OVHcloud is a French cloud hosting provider with a strong focus on privacy and data sovereignty.

OVHCloud provides tools like the Environmental Impact Tracker to help customers understand and reduce their carbon footprint.
OVHCloud targets 100% low-carbon energy (mostly nuclear though) for data centers by 2025, with 92% already achieved.
OVHCloud does not collect or sell user data, ensuring privacy and security.
OVHCloud offers dedicated and private cloud solutions, giving users full control over their data and infrastructure.
OVHCloud commits to data privacy and does not use third-party cookies or trackers.
OVHCloud repurposes industrial buildings for data centers and focuses on circular economy practices to minimize e-waste.
OVHCloud is based in France, ensuring compliance with GDPR and European privacy and labor regulations.
Website
bunny-cdn logo

Bunny CDN

A fast CDN from Slovenia with over a hundred locations worldwide.

Bunny CDN explicitly states that it does not collect, store, or distribute user-identifiable information. They only gather anonymous data for performance optimisation and have a zero-logging policy for certain services like Bunny Fonts.
Bunny CDN is GDPR-compliant and prioritises user privacy and data protection.
Bunny CDN is based in Slovenia and operates data centres in Europe and globally.
Website

KeyCDN

A high-performance Content Delivery Network from Switzerland.

KeyCDN is headquartered in Switzerland and operates data centres across Europe.
KeyCDN adheres to GDPR principles, including data minimisation, lawfulness, fairness, and transparency. They collect only necessary data for security and fraud prevention and allow users to request deletion of personal data.
KeyCDN is GDPR compliant with strong data protection.
Website

The 8 main issues with Cloud CDN

Big Tech - Big Tech companies do not nourish people and planet. This is especially true in times of political tension.

Google Cloud CDN is operated by Alphabet (Google), one of the largest and most influential Big Tech companies, with significant control over digital infrastructure, advertising and data.Source:The Verge: Google Cloud’s Media CDN lets companies build on the network that keeps YouTube running (2022)

Privacy Concerns - User data is likely to be stored and used against users' best interest.

As part of Google’s ecosystem, Google Cloud CDN inherits privacy concerns related to data collection, tracking and the company’s broader surveillance capitalism model. Google’s CDN Interconnect and other services have been used to facilitate data transfer and tracking across the web.

Non-Renewable Energy Use - Reliance on fossil fuels and non-sustainable energy sources, contributing to environmental harm.

Google’s data centers, including those supporting Cloud CDN, are connected to grids that use fossil fuels. Despite renewable energy commitments, a significant portion of the energy used is non-renewable.Source:Wired: Amazon, Google, Microsoft: Here's Who Has the Greenest Cloud (2019)

No Carbon Neutrality Goals - No goals for carbon neutrality is a bad sign as it shows lack of commitment to holding crucial thresholds for global climate warming.

Google recently erased its Carbon Neutrality Goals in favour of massively increasing its use of Gemini in its various products. Source: Toms Hardware: Google quietly removes net-zero carbon goal from website amid rapid power-hungry AI data center buildout (2025)

Lack of Transparency - Opacity in operations, data handling, or supply chains, making it difficult for users to understand practices.

Google lacks transparency in how user data is used and shared. Source: FTC: Google’s Data Privacy Violations (2025)

Tax Avoidance - Aggressive strategies are being deployed to avoid paying taxes.

Google is known for aggressively avoiding paying taxes, so much that taxing it got its own term: "Google tax". Source: Wikipedia: Google Tax

Support of Authoritarian Regimes - Companies actively supporting, financing and legitimising regimes and unethical policies.

Google has kissed Trump's ring by donating $1 million to his inauguration. Google is adapting its products to satisfy the administration.Time: How Google Appears to Be Adapting Its Products to the Trump Presidency (2025)

AI Bloat - Service has unnecessary or harmful AI features.

Google integrates AI features throughout its products. The company's push to embed AI in every service leads to unnecessary complexity and resource use.ZDNET: Don't tell your AI anything personal, Google warns in new Gemini privacy notice (2024)Ars Technica: The hidden cost of Google’s AI defaults and the illusion of choice (2026)

Suggestions and Feedback

If you have suggestions for more alternatives or general feedback, please contact me via email or create an issue over on Codeberg. Suggest Substitute on Codeberg Write an Email