guser I recently became aware of the changes that google has coming down the line. Such as:
Developers will need to verify their identity.
Sideloading of apps will no longer be possible.
And there's a fear that in future google will simply lock the bootloader of pixels, or that AOSP will no longer exist.
A fear about something is not the same as that thing "coming down the line". It is always possible to bundle together all imaginable fears, but maybe not productive. Maybe tomorrow the Sun will suddenly flare in an unexpected way, and the Moon's orbit will start to decay... ok, but maybe not, and even if that is "coming down the line", what would one want to do differently today?
guser This morning I searched this forum and I may have read most of the posts on the subject - I'm not sure. But I have not found a statement from grapheneos on the subject. Is there one?
I doubt there is or would be a statement from the project on a bundled mass of fears. I believe there was already a statement on the sideloading issue (won't affect GrapheneOS).
guser Does anyone know how much of a threat all of this actually is.
Nobody can know. Google may have plans, but also various government regulatory agencies can make plans. And plans can be opposed.
guser It sounds like a major threat and with the way things are going I would say that it's very likely that the powers that be will want to get rid of all non trackable phones - if they can.
The Moon crashing into the Earth also sounds like a major threat. Today there's not much an individual could do about that. Likewise maybe there's not much an individual could do about a mass crackdown on open communication technology.
That said, one might join and donate to groups opposing that sort of thing, such as EFF and/or the Signal Foundation (not to mention the GrapheneOS project). One might invest in encouraging one's friends and family to pay attention to these issues and to adjust their behavior over time.
Assuming the GrapheneOS project works out a partnership with an OEM, one possible thing to do would be to buy one of those devices right away (before waiting to see exactly how well they work) and also to avoid complaining if they "merely" are secure and private but don't have 120 MP cameras and removable batteries (etc.). Jumping in early might require investing some actual money, but it would be something one could do as a member of a group.