I am confused. What "Linux"? There are many distributions. There is the kernel (many versions). Maybe even today they are some distributions that are as you described, used in certain companies or states or whatever. But you can choose another one and you will still be fine.
Yes and no. There are many distros, but they all use the same components. If outside entities only allow you to run specific distros or configs, you're done. Some examples:
* My jobs VPN only runs on Ubuntu. There is code in there that checks your OS.
* My bank wants the chrome browser. Messing with headers makes it work on firefox. But that's for now and needs me spending time fighting them.
* sssd is starting some light GPO enforcement on my laptop.
* systemd slowly moves towards encrypted home dirs and a fully validated boot chain. That's a golden cage with a lock to which we have the key. Microsoft can take the key away, and governements can make them do this.
* Android is also theoretically multi distro, but Google is the only one that matters. And they just decided they want developers identity.
* Most if the big sites make you jump trough hoops for non-chrome browsers. Facebook, cloudflare, Teams...
Computers are now part of networks, a bit like their own societies. These will force you to use their rules or isolate you. And that's assuming you can keep buying machines that are open or legally jailbreakable.
> If outside entities only allow you to run specific distros or configs, you're done
For many years the only thing "allowed" was Windows. There was a big effort done by some people to push back against that.
> My jobs VPN only runs on Ubuntu
Does your job allow a personal device? For many jobs I got a company laptop and that was it. No choice of OS/distro or anything. And to be honest, I find this reasonable considering how "careful" are people with their devices.
> My bank wants the chrome browser
From the banks I tried (I ended up with 6 accounts) in the last 3 years, only one had some issues with Firefox. So, for me, there was (still) plenty of option.
> Most if the big sites make you jump trough hoops for non-chrome browsers
And whoever cares should push back (I mean Facebook? I stopped using it because is crap ignoring any browser/os behavior). It was much worse, I am honestly amazed that we managed to arrive were we are.
Just as an example: in the 2000 I had to wait one month to get a laptop without Windows pre-installed, and need to travel one hour because they would not deliver at home, then install a Linux distro myself. Would you have said then "but we have no option, everything that comes to my doorstep tomorrow is Windows" ? You can say "but not everybody can do that", sure, but if people that can, don't, then wo will?
