Many of us leapfrogged the desktop age and instead skipped straight from CLI apps to WWW apps. Most of the computers I've used don't have desktops because they're in a datacenter somewhere, or inside something like a Docker container. It's easier to get the backing of big corporations when you've created something that can be part of automated backend infrastructure. Those are the people who want privacy the most, since protecting confidential information is a big concern. Backend systems also usually have the necessary tools in place that make sure programs don't do anything evil. That's a feature where most desktop operating systems leave much to be desired, and it therefore means that desktop apps still require a similar level of trust as a web service. But the automation aspect is probably most key to getting support, since desktop apps are better for consumers, and consumers want convenience more than privacy. If you're really passionate about privacy then backend CLI is something worth pursuing, since that's where you're most likely to find people who share your values.