I read it and I think I understand why people are using it, but just to clarify your Google play example: you still can’t use it without being signed into Google account, right? Is your concern what the app does while it’s not running? Because it feels like they’ll still collect the same amount of info once your sign in to install the apps.

Do you you try to use F-droid for most things?

Does anything related to money work on GOS? Bank apps, check deposits, credit card apps, nfc payments? Any other apps/features disabled by Google?

Seems like a huge sacrifice for perceived privacy improvement.

How is this significantly different from using vanilla Android without signing into any Google accounts?