Android is AOSP, it has no Google at all. Don't confuse OEM ROMs and Android Open Source Project. As someone with GrapheneOS I can only laugh when someone calls iOS more private
Exactly, but it's inexcusable when a tech discussion happens. You either know it, or dare to shut up (not you precisely, though). Don't be a hypocrite, only facts.
Except for the ridiculously powerful permissions you need to give most system-type apps in order for them to function (i.e. read and paint over all screen content) because the accessibility APIs are shit, and password manager APIs too fragmented to be useful.
Sometimes the policy of “you will use our API and you will be happy” is actually beneficial for users.