Ah yes..., the things nobody really cares about except for a tiny (vocal) minority.

Things nobody cares about such as privacy and freedom? I don't think this one is a very hard sell. It's just an education problem.

If users cared about privacy no one would use Google/Android. If they cared about freedom they wouldn't use Apple/iphone. Frankly those issues, important as they may be to you, are low priorities for most users.

You just eliminated the two most popular smartphone platforms. What choice do they have?

I think that was his point.

So how do you "care" about privacy if you have no choice?

You assume most users are actually aware of the extent that these platforms abridge their freedoms and privacy.

Nobody ever lists any alternatives. I've used some of the most popular and they are halfway to discord's levels in terms of tech and 1% the way in user base.

> they are halfway to discord's levels in terms of tech and 1% the way in user base.

We're comparing 20 unpaid volunteers (IRC, Mumble), a dozen employees of a small business (Teamspeak) to a several million dollar large VC funded team able to run at a loss (Matrix) and a couple billion dollar large VC funded team able to give away stuff they don't even have (Discord).

You can't compete with free beer. Especially not as a bunch of unpaid volunteers.

In the end, the VC money will dry up and these companies will end, as they'll either have to increase prices, reduce services or sell out their users.