Airplane Mode
Take control of your technology.
Who we are
Hi there, and welcome! We are Airplane Mode, a small firm based in St. Louis, Missouri, home of the free Saint Louis Zoo, the birthplace of T. S. Eliot, and maybe the city that put the ice cream cone on the map. But that's not why you're here, is it?
In a world where every company promises you a moon filled with privacy, transparency, and honesty, those words have lost their meaning. And thanks to artificial intelligence, our data is being analyzed and misused at an alarming rate, with no end in sight.
As you're reading this, a company you rely on is devouring your data. Your location. Your behavior. Your habits. Your preferences. And not only for profit, but to influence what you consume, how much you pay, and how you feel. Right down to what you think.
But there are organizations dedicated to building something better. We would love to say that we are one of them, but in truth, we haven't earned that yet. It's not something you can claim, it's something you must demonstrate. Consistently. Over time.
Our mission is to help you understand what your technology is doing, make deliberate choices, take ownership where possible, and reduce your dependence on dominant technology providers. We call this digital autonomy.
What we do
We're not here to convince you that digital autonomy is important, but when you decide to pursue it, we're here to help. As little or as much as you want.
- Technology Guidance
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Maybe you're in the Apple, Google, or Microsoft ecosystem from head to toe and want to diversify. Or you're wondering what your phone, computer, or internet-connected device is doing that you're not seeing. Or your entire life is in the cloud and you want to bring it home.
Let's put it all on the table, determine what, if anything, can be improved, and make small, calculated changes together.
Whether it's learning how to approach technology, switching to privacy-respecting providers, or hosting your own data and software, each step brings you closer to digital autonomy.
- Software Development
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Web applications have gotten too complicated. They bite off more than they should chew, carry uncountable third-party dependencies, require knowledge in various technologies to run, and are riddled with code no human has reviewed.
Our apps do one thing well, preferably with just our code, and should be straightforward to set up, manage, and use. They are written by humans for humans, free of dark patterns, and simple to comprehend. If we ever drift off course, we trust you to tell us.
Whether you need a little tool, a larger replacement, or something more unusual, we'll give you an app you can understand and maintain.
What we believe
It bugs us when people act like robots, dance around the truth, or think they can do no wrong. We don't want to be like that, so let's put this in writing.
- Stay Personal
- Regardless of how much technology sits between us, we'll treat you as a person.
- Tell the Truth
- If there's no problem to solve, or we're not the right fit, we'll be the first to tell you.
- Fix Mistakes
- We won't get everything right, but when we make a mistake, we'll own it and fix it.
You have a right to privacy. And just like the muscles in your body, the neurons in your brain, and the relationships in your life, your privacy will wither away when neglected.
I used to give my name and SSN to any company that asked. Always registered an account on websites to claim my identity—I know. Connected every smart device to each other and the internet. All of which was feeding into a system I didn't understand or control.
Then I decided to exercise my right to privacy. It has been overwhelming, time-consuming, and inconvenient to say the least. Just ask my wife. My kids aren't old enough to complain, yet.
Instead of waiting until I have all the answers, I created Airplane Mode to share what I've learned, guide others toward digital autonomy, and build web applications that scratch my own itch.
How to reach us
If you're concerned about any of the technology in your orbit, or you want to explore this topic further, here's how you can reach us.