[matt4077]

I’ll actually use this as an example how that saying is wrong.

ISPs may be better in some regards because they are smaller. Some of them may also just not be competent enough to seriously harm you.

But not for a second do I believe they care about my privacy.

That tired saying is also full of holes: paying doesn’t stop you from being the product as well as the customer if the company can pull it off. That’s why they show you ads in cinemas even if you paid for the ticket. Conversely, not paying really does not change the incentives for Google and others to retain you: if everyone switches to some other search and email, they are done for no matter what.