Well, if framed like this, you are right, I don't need convincing, I should just go ahead and switch to freedom tech

However, is it a "complete authority over me" if I simply keep my pictures on Google photos and use Gmail?

In one sense, yes, it is, in that, they could easily delete my pictures (I have a backup), and for sure they know a lot about me (but unfortunately they know it already, but yes, better to move out for the future)

Yeah, I guess, as I'm writing these words, I'm convincing myself to move more fully

Thank you