Which is all cool until Google rug-pulls your influence and you’re back to zero… in which case it doesn’t sound like a tool anymore.

Maybe a tool with DRM embedded would be an appropriate analogy?

One of the reasons why I don't use my personal Google accounts for stuff like Firebase.

Sadly, Proton was, until now, a serious and perhaps leading contender for where I might migrate my email as I reduce my dependence on Google. They felt more credible then Tutanova, and less mainstream corporate than Fastmail. Not sure where to look now.

> Not sure where to look now.

Maybe take a look at https://posteo.de/en