DeletedUser478 There are settings and features on stock Android that you cannot disable, which are not optimal for privacy.
Features like forced AI, the inability to remove many apps, and so on. In many cases, you’re forced to do what Google wants.
Some might mention removing these features via ADB, but that’s not for everyone, it can be risky, and a future update could bring them back.
With GOS, you don’t have someone imposing things on you from above, and it doesn’t steal your data all the time. Of course, the apps you use matter, but OS level tracking should not be underestimated.
With GOS, you already get more privacy and security out of the box, with a simple and very safe installation. Apart from some limitations, in most cases you can use it like a normal phone.
You have security settings like auto reboot, automatically turning off Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, limiting USB-C connections, and other settings that, even if not strictly needed for your threat model, are “set and forget” or have no real downsides.
You have more control over your phone, and that’s significant. Privacy isn’t all or nothing; it’s more like a scale from 1 to 100.
Better to have 70 out of 100 than 60 out of 100, every improvement that doesn’t cause major convenience sacrifices, like with GOS, is welcome.
Having GOS on your phone doesn’t prevent you from using other less privacy-friendly services. You don’t have to live without a SIM, use only Qubes or Tails, or abandon everything that isn’t open source.
Otherwise, you risk going crazy and abandoning this world. If your threat model requires it, that’s one thing, but most people can afford to make gradual changes.
If someone wants a lot of privacy and anonymity, at the cost of convenience, that’s their choice. The important thing is that they are aware of the advantages and disadvantages of their decisions.
Every small victory is a step forward and should be celebrated.