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A big part of getting you to use their app is to data mine EVERYTHING about you. Unlike a web browser with an ad-blocker, an app can collect your location, location history, your call logs, your contact list and serve up unlockable ads.
There's better phone operating systems around, I can firewall apps completely or lock them to use VPN only. And with android finally getting better permission controls, I can individually approve all of those datapoints you listed.
That's great and everybody should do that, but it's beside the point that an app running code on your device is there. It's even better to do all of the above and still not use the bullshit apps when there is a website available.
I use GrapheneOS and I still don't install anybody's app. Discounts on hamburgers with an app? Fuck that. No app for you.
Actually yeah I do install some apps, but most are open source from F-Droid.
google ads can easily be dns blocked, about reddit ads.... yeah.
there's a reason why I've been using an unofficial client.Revanced
NewPipe with Sponsor block, autoskips intros, in-video ads, promotional segments, outros.
I mean Reddit revanced.
Oh. Well, can I recommend NewPipe with Sponsorblock for your video perusal then? It also supports PeerTube instances, so it's also a Fediverse video client! :D