They never actually said this. Some MS Engineer did and the press ran with it.

I would classify them as full democracies but if you want hard numbers I would check your countries score here

Mailbox.org is great! Has many benefits and can be fairly cheap. (A few € a month)

Just make a proper threat level analysis. Are you a journalist or politically exposed person in a non-democratic or semi democratic system?
No?
Are you in a key position of a company or agency providing (for) critical infrastructure?
No?
Are you just a little shit, trolling on the internet?*
Yes? Maybe just dial that back.

Verdict: You are of no interest for a state sponsored Spy Software or some script kiddy trying to wreck your day.

*Hypothetical situation. Does not necessarily apply to the OP.

As long as you only see it from the side, it looks really promising. But front and back are hideous

A Cinema in Vienna still play “The third man” as their last showing of the day

All the examples you have brought forward apply to private individuals. This is about cooperations and companies. Those very different legal entities.

I can’t wait to finally have a fucking hiking emoji! Fucking mandela effect