Hi!
I recently bought a Pixel phone for the sole reason that I wanted to install GrapheneOS on it, which I did. Now I am trying to decide on the setup while trying to reconcile privacy and usability in some way.
I was wondering one thing more than anything - If I use Google Play Store (with a dummy account created in the Play Store app, no phone number) and Google Maps, do I gain anything in terms of privacy compared to - say - using the stock Android my phone came with?
I have not used Google Maps in years since I have been trying to de-google as much as possible, so it would feel strange going back to using it on GOS. Still, I am aware of the sandboxing mechanisms and the rerouting of the location services which makes me assume that it is, in fact, more privacy respecting than using it on just another phone.
I would also like to avoid having to switch profiles when I just need to quickly look up an address. What is the general recommendation from the community?
I also read on the forum that there is no privacy gain installing applications via Aurora Store with a dummy account versus just doing the same in the Play Store. I personally don't care if notifications work or not, so do I have a privacy advantage using Aurora over the Play Store in my case?
Thank you in advance.