In some ways reading your post felt like describing my past hahaha. I took a ham licence to communicate without spyware. In some sense with ham waves I am being monitored constantly since encryption is forbidden by law but at least it doesn't go to a server storing all data about me.

Totally agree that in the long run we feel some sacrifices. For example to call a taxi or order food in a foreign country, without their particular app it is not possible. I looked for alternatives and I found some but it is not developed at all.

At least now I don't have a sudden quizz from the State asking for my health. Even though the coronavirus story is over.

I use Photoprism for photos, but Immich looks good too!