The effect is opposite - things get fixed only when you get enough social noise and that is not good.

This has always been true. The difference today is that if you are able to craft a powerful message, distribution isn’t a problem anymore.

Many companies are getting only bigger and more global so it is easier for them to ignore the complaints until it catches the media. Since the scale is getting so big, complaints do not risk the revenue until it hits the media. Ecosystem wasn’t so global and instant in the past.

Isn't that like saying "Yay, rich people get to bend the law", certainly useful to some, but kind of a weird thing to cheer for?

So, if you have sufficient influence, you can get things moving.

What about those of us nobodies with no influence?

well, you can't get the same stuff done that the folks with influence can. like they're working with a better toolbox.

Which is all cool until Google rug-pulls your influence and you’re back to zero… in which case it doesn’t sound like a tool anymore.

Maybe a tool with DRM embedded would be an appropriate analogy?

One of the reasons why I don't use my personal Google accounts for stuff like Firebase.

Sadly, Proton was, until now, a serious and perhaps leading contender for where I might migrate my email as I reduce my dependence on Google. They felt more credible then Tutanova, and less mainstream corporate than Fastmail. Not sure where to look now.

> Not sure where to look now.

Maybe take a look at https://posteo.de/en