Imagine a world without free access to knowledge. SUMA-EV and MetaGer stand against that. This is the story of a Hanover-based organization fighting for your right to know.
SUMA-EV, the Association for Free Access to Knowledge, operates the MetaGer search engine. They champion unrestricted access to information. Commercial or political interests should never dictate what you find online. That’s their core belief.
Founded in 2004, SUMA-EV was initially named “Non-profit association for the promotion of search engine technology and free access to knowledge”. In 2009, it was renamed SUMA-EV. Its founders included Wolfgang Sander-Beuermann, Karlheinz Brandenburg, Wolfgang Ertmer, and Rainer Appelt. These visionaries saw the need for unbiased information.
MetaGer, a privacy-focused meta-search engine, has been running since 1996. It is a project in cooperation with the University of Hanover. SUMA-EV took over running MetaGer to ensure its continued independence.
SUMA-EV’s goals are clear. They want to make knowledge easily accessible. They fight for your right to privacy while searching. They promote transparency in how information is presented. Pluralism in knowledge access is crucial. They also strive to improve everyone’s ability to find information.
SUMA-EV actively supports the Open Web Index. This initiative seeks to create an independent index. This index can support services like maps and search engines. It ensures no single entity controls online information.
MetaGer embodies SUMA-EV’s principles. It does not save unnecessary metadata. Data protection is a standard. User profiling is strictly avoided. Your searches remain private.
SUMA-EV funds its work through membership fees. Donations, online shopping shares, and advertising links also help. Every contribution supports their mission.
SUMA-EV also offers Linux migration advice. It started after Edward Snowden revealed PRISM. They provide free help switching to Linux. This empowers users to control their data.
The SUMA-EV congress addresses societal issues related to search engines. They also award scholarships. These scholarships support students researching search engine technology. The goal is to promote free access to knowledge.
MetaGer allows open and transparent Internet searches. SUMA-EV guarantees this. Their free software makes their promise verifiable. They only process data essential for operation.
SUMA-EV believes that digital knowledge must remain free. States or corporations should not control it. Their guidelines promote the findability of knowledge. They also ensure access while protecting privacy.
As Benjamin Franklin said, “Those who give up freedom to gain security will end up losing both.” SUMA-EV lives by this. They fight against monopolies in the search engine market. They know diversity is essential for freedom.
So, remember SUMA-EV and MetaGer. They are your allies in the fight for free and open knowledge. They work tirelessly to ensure a future where information remains accessible to all.