The point is Apple was already reacting to an external pressure. They don't make up the rules. They were attempting to be open about it, and also give the user options to avoid it (don't use iCloud).
It's great that you've found an alternative that suits you but I think it's disingenuous to argue that Apple is the culprit.
Apple's Plan to "Think Different" About Encryption Opens a Backdoor to Your Private Life.
"That’s not a slippery slope; that’s a fully built system just waiting for external pressure to make the slightest change."
https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2021/08/apples-plan-think-diff...