[BobbyTables2]

Very good point.

Everyone I knew while growing up was in the white pages (parents) with home address, not just phone number.

The early “FreeNet” and ISPs like Compuserve used anonymous usernames. Personalized email addresses came later…

Oddly, because we can’t even pay for privacy today, it appears as if nobody cares. Sure, still desirable but not even an option at any cost.

How we got from there to here is troubling.

[Hnedelin]

What do you mean we can’t pay for privacy and it’s not an option at any cost? Just don’t use big tech services, you pay for them with your data. Use Threema instead, or similar. It is a paid service with focus on privacy.

[BobbyTables2]

One would nearly have to live like the Amish to avoid all online services.

Both free and paid online services make extensive use of 3rd party tracking services.

Sure, if one has a flip phone and lives as one did in the 1980s…