I installed NetGuard about a month ago and blocked all internet to apps, unless
they’re on a whitelist. No notifications from this particular system app (that
can’t be disabled) until recently when it started making internet connection
requests to google servers. Does anyone know when this became a ...
Buying something does not mean you control it. You might have bought an Amazon Ring doorbell but if Amazon does not like your behavior they can (and will) render it dysfunctional.
No amount of money you pay for your phone up-front will make that malicious code magically go away. You can pay cash, and you can even tip the seller. The code that reduces your control remains in that device. If you don’t control it, you don’t own it.
Lolol, nobody is using the API on my phone. Its existence doesn't harm me in the last bit. You should stop using Linux if the existence of remote management bothers you.