Privacy-focused apps not only respect your data, but they usually respect your time and money. Some apps in recent years have fallen from grace by adding AI and other automations that make them more overwhelming and distracting. Some communication services, like Gmail or Discord, have even implemented ads in faith that their large userbase will tolerate it.
The Creeping Cost of “Free”
The bargain we strike with most mainstream services is simple; the service costs $0 at the point of signing-up, but we pay through attention and data. These are ventures, they're businesses that attempt to gain majority share of the market and figure out the money problem later.
- Gmail’s inbox is busier than ever — Google already sprinkled “promoted” emails at the top of the Promotions and Social tabs; in 2023 it started inserting ads smack in the middle of message lists on both desktop and mobile. The company framed it as an “experiment,” but the placement has quietly stuck around. (The Verge)
- AI side-bars add still more visual weight — Gemini, Google’s generative-AI assistant, now lives in a collapsible panel inside Gmail, Docs, Slides, and Sheets. While powerful, that panel squeezes the primary workspace and can trigger subtle tracking if you leave “smart features” enabled. (Google)
- Discord, once proudly ad-free, is rolling out Video Quests to mobile — Starting June 2025, users can opt to watch a full-screen ad in exchange for avatar decorations or in-game items, yet another slot in your day that must be guarded. (The Verge)
Just Follow the Money
Contrast that with services whose business model is subscriptions or donations. Because revenue doesn’t depend on maximizing “engagement minutes,” the interface can stay calm and the feature set purposeful.
- Proton’s ecosystem is maturing — The 2025 summer update added NetShield malware blocking and 950 Mbps VPN Accelerator speeds, all funded by optional paid tiers, not behavioral ads. (Tom's Guide)
- Browsers like Mullvad are outright allergic to telemetry — Built with the Tor Project, Mullvad Browser blocks fingerprinting by default and keeps zero usage logs. Its rise is part of a broader European push for sovereignty-minded tech. (Privacy Guides)
- HEY & Basecamp — subscription-funded email and project-management duo that’s 100 % ad-free and “will always be” that way; 37signals’ privacy policy flat-out states “We never sell your data.” Both services require or strongly encourage 2-factor authentication, and Basecamp encrypts traffic in transit with role-based access controls for projects. (37signals)
The Risk of Paying
Paying doesn't guarantee respect, but it does shift the incentives. When a business survives on your subscription, and not reselling your data, then they have a financial reason to keep you happy rather than harvested. A venture like Discord is trying to find money between the cushions now, because they didn't ask for your money to let you in. However, let's take a look at Steam.
Steam is an example of respect at scale today, but unknowns tomorrow. I'd like to think Steam is too big to fail, but under the Steam Subscriber Agreement you never really own the games you buy; you license them. If a publisher yanks a title, then Valve can legally remove it from your library, no refunds required. That setup protects developers and streamlines the lawyers’ work. This license haves to exist as games usually rely on the Steam API to operate in the first place, so you will never really own the game without Steam or the agreement.
Steam is an example of respect at scale today, but unknowns tomorrow. I'd like to think Steam is too big to fail, but under the Steam Subscriber Agreement you never really own the games you buy; you license them. If a publisher yanks a title, then Valve can legally remove it from your library, no refunds required. That setup protects developers and streamlines the lawyers’ work. This license haves to exist as games usually rely on the Steam API to operate in the first place, so you will never really own the game without Steam or the agreement.
Privacy and Respect is a Luxury
Your perpetual license will go with the company, and so will the user agreements. Spend your time and money with services that respect it. The market listens to churn more than complaints. Your favorite privacy-first app may never become a hyperscaler, and that's probably a good thing.