Oof, if Lemmy started selling data, I'd be downtrodden. It has been a godsend to me that this place took off ever since Reddit shit the bed. I had an account from a while back and was able to essentially resume seamlessly.

I do all sorts of craziness to avoid my data being sold, but like most here, I do have some exceptions.

I keep my Google account for work, but use protonmail, invidious with/sponsorblock and yt-dlp, ddg lite/teddit for search, librewolf, ublock/noscript/etc. All on a Linux desktop with Mullvad VPN for when I need extra privacy (argh, matey).

Phone is Pixel with GrapheneOS and as much Fdroid over sandboxed Google Play as possible.

Exceptions made:

• Google: Account for work and edge cases, (ie buying Pixel directly from them to leave OEM unlocking available).

• LinkedIn: It's just too prevalent for job hunting in my area, and Microsoft owns it and my data.

• Github: Not much to say here, if you write/pull code, you use it, and Microsoft takes some data.

• Steam: Again, not much to say, Id prefer offline, but triple A titles don't do that as much on PC no more...

• Meetup: Similar reason to LinkedIn, networking platforms.

• Waze: I try to use OSM as much as possible, but Waze has better adjusting based off of Google owned traffic data.

• Amazon: I actually use them less and less these days, but some things are just easier to get through.

Given Up:

• Instagram: I've given up Instagram, which was hardest as many old friends and online acquaintances are on there. But I wasn't posting any more and interaction was less and less.

• Reddit: Gave up reddit for all the reasons for you've heard already. I actually used the official app and didn't have a problem with it. But the politics of it rubbed me the wrong way. I'm still hoping the fediverse becomes the standard for social media online.

• Microsoft Windows: Oh man, and Linux is king. MUCH better experience.

• ios: Yeah, GrapheneOS drives me back to Google in a way, but it's just a better experience for me than my old iPhone which is just far less customizable and limiting.