One potential solution is to use an old phone and keep accounts/apps that you HAVE to deal with solely on that device. Dont use the device for anything else. Use it only on wifi. Keep it at home.

Honestly its fucking annoying literally had to make several user profiles just for my work life and my other invasive activities

I use the work profile via Insular/Island, and certain apps I don't like but do want I put in there, and freeze whenever not in use.

The thing I really can't understand, and a likely consequence of the ubiquity of apps, is all of the people who can't seem to function without them.

Like when the Reddit exodus to the threadiverse happened, people started immediately crying for Lemmy apps. And it doesn't seem to matter that much how bare-bones or unstable one might be - the important thing is that it's an app. That's all that seems to matter to them.

It's as if they aren't even aware of the fact that these are all websites, so they all work in a browser - as if to them, an app is a necessity and they can't figure out how to accomplish anything otherwise.

I've moved mostly to progressive web apps that truly stop when you close them. For sure they will try to use trackers when they're running but you can stop that with pihole or NextDNS if you're on the move with your mobile. You can regain some control if you have the motivation to do so. If you have to install an app, you can still block tracking via these methods and more.

I'm totally sure all these shithouse apps adhere only to the strictest standards in regards to data security also...

Feels like we're in a TechnoFuedal society

Wait until you need an app to visit your child's grave

Lol. This is how I know I'm old.

From 2013. https://www.reddit.com/r/web_design/comments/1e5acw/ha_i_dont_want_your_fucking_app/

Similarly I hate that everything requires an app when a webpage works absolutely fine.

Nothing more infuriating than sites that have a fully (or half) working mobile version but then force you to use the app (stars eyes at reddit)