[obviouslynotme]

Apple is just as sleezy as Google but doesn't have as much power and reach. If I don't want to, I don't have to interact with Apple at all. Google is much harder to avoid, impossible in some domains like email.

[AlchemistCamp]

You have plenty of non-Google email options, including iCloud mail from Apple.

[kelnos]

I use Fastmail, but nearly everyone I send/receive email to/from has an @gmail.com address.

Google still has the content of all of my email. Well, I guess except for the transactional stuff that comes from automated sources.

[rurp]

Good luck only emailing people who don't use Gmail.