For every "OMG, internet is filled with ads", people are conveniently forgetting the real-world impact of ALL COMPANIES (and not just Apple) btw. Either you should be upset with the system, and not selectively at Google.

Even 25 years ago people wouldn't even believe Youtube exists. Anyone can upload whatever they want, however often they want, Youtube will be responsible for promoting it, they'll provide to however many billions users want to view it, and they'll pay you 55% of the revenue it makes?

I think a lot of the harms you mentioned are real, but they're a natural consequence of capitalistic profit chasing. Governments are supposed to regulate monopolies and anti-consumer behavior like that. Instead of regulating surveillance capitalism, governments are using it to bypass laws restricting their power.

If I were a google investor, I would absolutely want them to defeat ad-blocking, ban yt-dlp, dominate the ad-market and all the rest of what you said. In capitalism, everyone looks out for their own interests, and governments ensure the public isn't harmed in the process. But any time a government tries to regulate things, the same crowd that decries this oppose government overreach.

Voters are people and they are moral entities, direct any moral outrage at us.

And what of the people that ravenously support ads and ad-supported content, instead of paying?

What of the consumptive public? Are they not responsible for their choices?

I do not consume algorithmic content, I do not have any social media (unless you count HN for either).

You can't have it both ways. Lead by example, stop using the poison and find friends that aren't addicted. Build an offline community.