Not sure if the average tech person is switching (from what I see in my environment) or if it's the vocal minority on HN. I'm happy for their success although the number is still not very significant
If it helps offset the echo chamber, I’ve been much happier with Google search than DDG (after setting it as my provider for a year). I’ve got no plans to move away from Google services, because I don’t think they actually pose some huge moral or privacy threat.
I've been exactly where you are until very recently... It might be a general cynicism towards the world at large recently, but I've found myself finally honestly considering that Google might do some actual evil, and if they really wanted to it could get ugly... Removing "don't do evil" from their company motto may have been a self-fulfilling prophecy?