Techbros don't understand or care about consent

If you don't want this stuff on your phone, lemme point you to:

GrapheneOS (Pixels only, has Most Security at Tinfoil Hat level while also providing compatibility for Google Play (optional, sandboxed) and SafetyNet)

CalyxOS (Pixels, Some Moto G 5G, Fairphone 5, 4, SHIFTphone 8, less Security than GrapheneOS but has Security)

LineageOS (Many older devices, runs unlocked boot so least Security but still can run sans google)

Interestingly, the same mentioned article from Android Police sells it as a "privacy win". I've tried to read it as a positive spin, and I seriously don't understand what these guys have been smoking.

https://www.androidpolice.com/upcoming-gemini-for-android-change-privacy-settings/

We use Chromebooks at my work (along with the whole Google suite), and we are bound by the rules of HIPAA. Without a way to opt out of this AI crap, I increasingly worry about what all of this means for our clients' privacy. Especially with this administration, with RFK deadset on targeting people with disabilities.

This makes me so happy I'm using Graphine OS. Also the entire idea that there "not storing my history" I don't trust them. They have already been sued multiple times over keeping ingogneto data.

Living the good life over here:

So a system-wide wiretap?

That's why degoogle community have more users recently !

No, it's really not. Primarily, because I'm using LineageOS with absolutely no Google services at all installed.

Just disable Gemini completely.

I believe most people who care about privacy don't trust Gemini or Google in general. So it's not an issue if you already not using Gemini app. It can be uninstalled (at least for now) even without going alternative ROM way

I went outside my comfort zone and installed Lineage on my old Pixel, only to find out I couldn't get wi-fi calling, so I reverted to my Google OS. Oh no. Any options other than Lineage or a new phone? This 6 year old phone works great except for the lack of updates, and except for the upcoming Gemini updates :( I'm struggling.

Edit: Ubuntu Touch, anybody?

Edit 2: Looks like VoLTE isn't supported on Ubuntu, either. Any idea why?

So what happens if I have Gemini disabled overall on my phone?

Gemini now has a second set of toggles buried in its settings menu. You can go to Profile → Apps inside the Gemini app and manually disable access to Phone, Messages, WhatsApp, or Utilities. But these are turned on by default, even if you’ve disabled tracking in the past.

So I just went to the app in my neighbor's phone, and it asked me to switch. I said no, and it won't let me do anything else. So will this need to be done next week?

Alright, is there some super-populated center for enthusiast nerds who make Androids less 1984 and shit? Like, the fdroid sub or something? I’m still on the ol’ Tim Cooker but when this thing croaks I’m switching teams. I don’t need Google getting sloppy seconds, though.

I mean, feels like everyone has a phone these days. Surely some niche sect of Internet nerds has a cutting edge solution for this shit.

Is it just GrapheneOS with FDroid apps? What about Google Play Store apps, can I use those without getting fucked? Can I retain nearly every stock feature on an Android without selling my soul to Google? Which Android phone should I buy if I want things to run smoothly with the modifications I need to make? (Are those new touch flip-phones on the menu? Are they more durable now? I fantasize about DS emulation, and slapping my phone together to hang up on people. I just remember hearing all about the highly scratch-able screens and hinge problems.)

Graphene, Lineage, Calayx OS are all there. Pick one and never worry about this no control over your phone thing. Personally only used graphene OS but I heard the others are similar.