lostforever
SasqWatch
I don't have an answer other than financial restraint and telling them you won't buy their product with their launcher. They do it because they can.
Sadly I think the ship has sailed on this as well. I think "launcher" or really data collection is here to stay if want the internet. Like you said before, most people have accepted this (50 or so apps on mobile and hence now PC) so the companies can get way with them and financial restraint is not going to hurt them at all.