I want to know if there is a way to design an alternative that isn't controlled by a single entity which allows gatekeeping.

Right - do I want them getting some info from me, or do I want my IP address exposed?

Besides CloudFront, which still costs money, what other option is there for semi-privacy and caching for free?

As the old addage goes: If you're not paying for it, you're the product.

Lots of nuance, but generally: pay for things you use. Servers, engineers, and research and development are not free, so someone has to pay.

Lots of services don't even let me pay if I wanted to, so I am forced to be the product. (Donating typically does not un-productify myself).

Or I pay and am still the product. Just with less in-my-face ads.

> Or I pay and am still the product. Just with less in-my-face ads.

Yes, this is enshittification. You pay for Amazon something or other, and they STILL show you ads. Horrible.

fwiw, I have been convinced to look at other options

Cloud front is pretty much free for your first TB. Fastly has a free plan.

Though why should it be for free?

Multiple people have brought that up. I pay for everything else, why not one more.

Although bunny.net won't take ANY of my credit or debit cards

bunny.net has some options

I will have to check them out I guess