Try giving RSS reader a fair chance. Most website do have a functioning RSS or atom feed, its often not advertised. Switch the view to page source and search for RSS or atom or feed. It might be tedious to setup but the end result is worth it.
Not all websites send full articles over RSS, but you can always open those in a browser.
Use Mastodon or any decentralised platform responsibly is the way, in my opinion. If you can run your own instance, that will likely lead to better control over your data but does't mean others servers won't see it. that is the nature of these platforms by design.
Don't put trust in anyone for it. When you make an account, go through the settings and adjust them based on what you are comfortable with. Use an alias name and email, of course. opt out of search engine appearances, or even social graph. Hide people you follow and that follow you. Adjust the settings of each post based on what it is as well.
End of the day, you will need to trust the person running the instance to do good enough management of the infrastructure. Use a server with active and transparent admin and it's not too large to manage for them.
I had a good hearty laugh thanks to your comment.
If having browser history on helps you use it, I think it shouldn't be a huge issue. I have been using mullvad browser the way I use Firefox focus on the phone. Quick searches for stuff or just browsing casually.
I have a separate Firefox browser for personal stuff.
I'm currently using RSSGuard. I also have used and liked using NewsFlash and Akregator. I recommend trying all three if you can. Fiddle with the settings to get the desired look and experience, they are flexible apps.
Only RSS option that is on web and android/iphone is either through nextcloud news. Or try host your own tiny RSS or fresh RSS instance or find a public one you can use? Most RSS reader will let you login with them.
I prefer to read news and blogs on my computer so I have not tested mobile apps in any way.