Let's call them anti-competition services since there's nothing in these increasing security.

> Well… you can run android without google?

You can only run LineageOS on smartphones that allow unlocking the bootloader (which is more and more rare), and properly release the kernel source-code (many still don't, especially low-end MTK-based phones...)

You can run GrapheneOS on Pixel phones, and soon Motorola :-).

Yet on LineageOS you're not affected. It seems you can build Android that isn't affected by Google, at least if you're willing to personally adjust the code to do what you want. You'd have to get exceptionally busy before it's not recognisable as an Android distribution anymore

How’s LineageOS compatibility these days? And besides F-droid, is there a place where mobile apps are plentiful without being full of malware?

Also, how’s isolation on LineageOS for mobile apps? I think I’m getting to the point where I’m thinking of ditching Apple again

> I think I’m getting to the point where I’m thinking of ditching Apple again

I would wholeheartedly recommend going for a Pixel with GrapheneOS. I have been an /e/OS user on a Fairphone for 5 years before reading a lot about GrapheneOS and switching to GrapheneOS. It's honestly so much better!

If you go from iPhone to GrapheneOS, you get better security. If you go from iPhone to anything else, you get worse (to extremely worse) security.

Aurora 'Store' is a client for Google Play that lets you filter on apps without ads or in-app purchases. My experience is that that's be a decent proxy for "don't show me all the bullshit".

It's also a good proxy for "no results" but then at least you know there is no free app that does what you want just yet :)

Anyway that's what I use to get the proprietary government and other societally required apps, and while I'm not on Lineage right now, it's meant to work there

So true.

Maybe a case for the EU? I mean, they like creating laws limiting the power of big tech. Maybe there should be a law that requires all services that are used by public institutions and commercial transaction providers to be transparent to the public and therefore open source. And as a platform provider, they should be required to offer APIs to let users install alternative implementations.

Might require some fine-tuning, but you get the idea.

You are right. I feel much safer now! /s I really need to look into those other versions of Android or even Huawei. I have a feeling they might not quite work in Canada. Part of the reason I am incensed about this, is that right now there are all sorts of measures globally, under the guise of safety, that seem to be about something completely different.