This is also very problematic for people who disagree with the terms of free email providers (like you already mentioned ""free" isn't really free"). Of course, if one is in financial trouble, then they probably have larger problems but it's still worrying to me how privacy is becoming a luxury good instead of the default.
It should be seen as a "hidden cost" to any digital service that requires an email address (either monetary for a trustworthy enough email account or in the form of privacy).
As an aside, this sort of forcing people into using digital services with terms they don't agree with has become widespread during the pandemic and it kinda makes me angry how no one is thinking about any of this.
It should be seen as a "hidden cost" to any digital service that requires an email address (either monetary for a trustworthy enough email account or in the form of privacy).
As an aside, this sort of forcing people into using digital services with terms they don't agree with has become widespread during the pandemic and it kinda makes me angry how no one is thinking about any of this.