First thing you mention is such a fun and useful exercise. But as you point out, way overkill. Might even be dangerous to expose it. I got mine to 20kb on top of busybox.

There is something that tickles the right spots when a complete container image significantly smaller than the average js payload in “modern” websites.

What do you suspect the issue can be? Some sources not syncing causing multiple divergences?

If the purpose of collecting the data by private companies is to somehow make money, do you think that sharing this data, or conclusions based on this data, somehow manages to exclude access of governmental agencies? I’ve never gotten the impression that CIA/NSA would ever willingly play nice.

What’s the problem with it being local-only? Just backup the secrets, and you’re good? Or is backing it up the “online” element?