This was posted here two days ago:

https://lemmy.world/post/2182610

Oh, definitely. I know it’s an unpopular opinion, but there’s room for a middle ground between selling your soul to Google and avoiding their services like the plague.

Maybe an unpopular opinion, but you can use Google Maps without GPS and in Incognito mode, and you can watch YouTube without being logged in and/or not saving your watch history. You’re in complete control over the info you give Google. You can fully enjoy their services without the ickyness you described.