Actually my mom and stepdad use something similar... I chuckle about it every time I have to help them because they "lose" their email... (Their homepage in the browser gets reset.)
I also have 2-step verification activated. My account has been a premium account for a long time and is basically used for social/family. I have other email accounts for use with business and government.
I actually had to reset every thing on my Yahoo account around that time. I now know why. As far as big brother reading my mail, any public email host can provide that kind of info and is usually compelled to do so.