but the reality is that nothing is free and somebody has to pay somewhere.

Youtube gained its market share and stopped any competitors arising by offering a free video platform. Now that there isn’t much hope for competition they have enshitified, plastering ads and demanding money. They endured massive loses for years just to kill competition. So boo fucking hoo when I continue using a monopolists products on the terms they originally offered.

Google throws a heap of apps and ideas at a wall to see what sticks. Then it periodically hoses down the wall. Never come to rely on a google app or service. It’ll be hosed off eventually.