Hey,
In the past I used Duolingo to study languages, but now I’m more privacy-conscious and looking for better options. And their recent data breach only solidified that intention.
I recently saw someone posted a comparison table for privacy policies of Duolingo and a number of competing products. Unfortunately I cannot find it now.
Can you give any suggestions? I’m not opposed to paid services, btw
Yeah, I see many suggestions to do just that. Might be a good time to go check a local library.
If you're lucky, your library may have a language lab. They'd be far less common now that we all carry access to tutorials in our pockets, but those that existed are unlikely to have been ripped out.
Then, some countries run language learning institutes abroad with classes at all levels, group or individual, from basic conversation for fun through to examined courses in specialised language for people who are fluent or near fluent (medical French, engineering Spanish, business German, etc.). These would also have decent libraries if the idea of a course doesn't appeal.
For online study, EDx hosts a lot of language courses run by leading universities. These are typically free unless you wish to sit a proctored exam to obtain certification of the level you attain.