I disagree.

The number of Android phones in existence is evidence of how important it is to have affordable tech.

Indeed. Second, most people don't actually realise how bad it really is.

How bad it really is?

(assuming you are on Android)

Google's algorithm knows you opened your browser. They almost certainly know what page you opened and how long you have been on it [on chromium, everything typed in URL bar is sent to them]. They probably know that you asked the above question.

If it is a cheap android phone (or even if not, if it uses Rockchip chips, if it is a Xiaomi and likely if it is a Oppo) then at least one Chinese corporation, with ties to a very sophisticated gov apparatus knows it as well.

Considering how many permissions they allow each app to receive (esp. on older versions, which are the majority of users) other apps likely know it as well.

I have a Samsung, and there are lots of clues that they know everything I type and a lot of what I say as well.

Probably other actors as well, since a porous pail will leak...

Good burn, the difference between what permission modals say and what Apple and Google allow you to do with the hardware you paid money for is a valid point in 2022.

I think people are mostly concerned with what they can experience. Building on this, these systems make sure that the breach of privacy is experienced in the least amount possible. When something happens that upsets this surface, like Apple suddenly telling people that an app looked at their clipboard, suddenly privacy is cared about again.

Also, look at other things that are made invisible to the people, and when made visible, people react negatively. Treatment of animals in the various industries, treatment of workers in countries where labour is cheap, issues with waste and its environmental effects.