[Paul-ish]

> However, between Gmail and Google search, they already have all of my data.

I think we need to change our attitude here, because I don't think this is right. I think it is a self fulfilling prophecy. There is a certainly middle ground, and we are giving it up if we assume that companies already have everything. It is a false dichotomy to believe we either give all our information up or we go live in a cabin in the woods somewhere. Data minimization with an eye for the actual trade-offs in each situation is key.

[cheath]

You raise a good point. I guess my frustration is that there basically is no good way to have truly private/encrypted email-Google aside. Ironically, having your own email server in your closet (a la HRC) might be the most private option.

[ianai]

You highlight that people devalue other peoples' privacy compared to their own. HRC lost an election for having a mail server of her own. (Sure, she was a government official at the time.)

[ianai]

I think people do generally take it as a 0 or 1. Either their personal data isn't so valuable that they discount its value to 0. Or, they recon that google is too large an entity to avoid, so they effectively discount their data down to 0, again. It may also be a time sensitive matter. You only have so much life to live - how much do you want to spend customizing what you share with google?

I definitely feel google tech, phones included, should be much cheaper for the data their users give them. Their flagship devices are generally price-parity with Apple's - and Apple's not mining your data the way google is (to my knowledge).