considering a smartphone has become somewhat a necessity.

Hard disagree. Computers? Internet access? Sure. Those are very difficult to live without. But a smartphone is still a convenience at best and an expensive toy at worst. The only reason that people think that is such an indispensable part of our lives is because people (especially in North America) will happily give away their freedoms in the name of convenience, and corporations will gladly profit from that.

have no sympathy for that kind of person

My lack of sympathy does not mean animosity. It just means that I do not submit to the idea that people can “play the victim card” when talking about the evil corporations if they are not willing to put anything on the line.

There are plenty of people who will say “I accept the ads because that is what allows me to have so much content for free”. I may disagree with that, but at least it is consistent. What is hard to swallow is to see a bunch of Gen Z privileged people “protesting” against spez without giving up on anything of material substance.