> Storing data in any application results in some restrictions in how that data can be transformed and/or used in the future.

And not all applications are equal in that regard. I store plenty of data in Dropbox, never run into any problems. Same with git, mutt, Shotwell, Rhythmbox... Usually, exporting doesn't involve any action. All the data is just stored in files that can be used by any application.

There is a strong correlation between free software and convenient data formats. Why pretend that all software has those same problems to a similar degree?