Are there modern alternatives to HTTP for better privacy?

HTTP itself isn’t inherently insecure, but many privacy issues actually stem from how data is handled in web browsers today. A more secure browser can really help with that, though there's no alternative to HTTP or HTTPS. You might want to explore using tools like curl or wget for more secure interactions instead of a standard browser.

Have you considered using HTTPS instead? It’s like an upgraded version of HTTP that encrypts the data for better security.

There’s also HTTP/2 and WebSockets out there, but if you’re worried about privacy, using Tor could be an intriguing option. Just be ready for slower speeds and the lack of JavaScript support, since it still runs on HTTP.

There are flexible protocols, like FTP, which could serve your needs if you're just transferring files. But if you're looking for up-to-date information, you might want to check out NTP. Just keep in mind, different protocols come with their own sets of features and limitations!

I get where you're coming from—modern web has its issues. Some folks are even toying with the idea of a Markdown Transfer Protocol focused solely on reading and minimal tracking. Sounds like an interesting project! But, it’s also worth noting that if you want a different browsing experience, old-school options like Usenet or IRC might bring you more of that nostalgia.