The controversy is that you don't get to choose. It is extremely hard to avoid giving your data to Google if you don't want to make that trade. You can't use an Android phone, you can't use ubiquitous services like Google Search, Youtube, GMail, or Google Maps, you can't use any website without being sure to block Google Analytics, Adsense, reCaptcha, and whatever else they own.
It's possible, but it's very hard, and requires constant vigilance. It is not a free choice in any meaningful sense.
The controversy is that you don't get to choose. It is extremely hard to avoid giving your data to Google if you don't want to make that trade. You can't use an Android phone, you can't use ubiquitous services like Google Search, Youtube, GMail, or Google Maps, you can't use any website without being sure to block Google Analytics, Adsense, reCaptcha, and whatever else they own.
It's possible, but it's very hard, and requires constant vigilance. It is not a free choice in any meaningful sense.