In case you weren’t aware, Lightning invoices reveal the receiving node pubkey, node pubkeys reveal node IP addresses, clear net IP addresses are owned by known entities, and individuals who hold accounts with those known entities to use those IP addresses can be identified.

It is disingenuous at best, perhaps even dishonest, to pretend and suggest that the average person is better off from a privacy standpoint running their own Lightning node for making payments/zaps. The real issue is custody of funds. “Not your keys, not your coins.” If you are at risk of financial disaster from losing $50 worth of anything, including bitcoin, then you have bigger problems than learning how to run a Lightning node.

Self-custodial solutions are good and necessary for maintaining control over your funds. Larping about a level of privacy that few, if any, can achieve, is a waste of time. Get over yourself, go have a drink with a friend, and make someone’s day by making them smile.