> my belief (without proof) is that in a world of big data, we're all likely on some sort of govt database with a note about what we do or dont do but as a privacy enthusiast I'll continue making it as difficult as possible for anyone to syphon off my data easily and for free.

Almost certainly true! Clearview AI is being sued because they scraped the internet for all our faces. Ever posted a picture of yourself attached with your name ANYWHERE, EVER? You are now in the database. I realized that a talk i held at a software conference was posted on the internet and that meant that of course i'm now forever in all AI Databases anywhere.

There's a reason the NSA build yottabytes of storage for metdata and connections: Save now, decrypt later when Quantum Computers are ready. Every App, website, even your OS is spying on you. Ever google "Tor" or "Tails OS"? Congrats you are now in the NSAs Database as a potential extremist[0]

That being said: The least we can do is make surveilance more expensive. Use Tor, throwaway browser sessions, encrypted cloud storage etc. Your average normie is an open book with everything readable in the cleartext.

[0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/XKeyscore