I noticed GNU has a statement regarding GrapheneOS on their non-free distros page.
https://www.gnu.org/distros/common-distros.html
GrapheneOS is a version of Android which is described as “open source,” but it seems to include software that isn't free software or even “open source”. For instance, it comes with firmware programs for installation and it appears that at least some of them are binaries without source code. It is said to be “de-Googled,” but includes a way to download and install the nonfree Google Play program.
I don't really care whether GNU considers GrapheneOS a "free system" but I want to clarify if their claims are even correct.
I thought it's been said that the firmware is in fact open source for Pixels, but perhaps not free software. But I can't find a source for that.
Also the degoogled comment is odd, because that is not a stated goal of the project. Even if it were, degoogling seems unrelated to GNU's criteria for an OS being free software. Play Services are also not part of the OS even if you choose to install them. They're just apps.
What are your thoughts?