Eh, kinda. It’s not quite as easy to escape from GApps as it is to install Linux, though, so it’s understandable.

My advice is to look into LineageOS, DivestOS, and GrapheneOS and see if your device is supported by anyone. If not, it’s possible to remove GApps using ADB, and you can use NextDNS to block tracking.

Well, that explains how the NSA keep getting in every so often.

I’ve seen this enough times that I laughed without watching it. Funny stuff.

Alpine, mainly. It’s not bad on desktop.

Pepperidge Farm remembers

Yeah, I wouldn’t trust anything these guys publish: https://mediabiasfactcheck.com/mint-press-news/

That possibly counts as gore, regardless of whether the drugs are recreational or medicinal. However, there will be exceptions.

I quite like 4get, but SearXNG is probably closer to what you want.

Since you’re using Edge, I’ll assume you’re running Windows. In that case, I’d recommend either Librewolf or ungoogled-chromium.

I, myself, use Mullvad Browser and Links2, but they’re not quite as good for new users.

LineageOS ftw!

I’m…not?

I’m not vegan

I’m not vegan, and the posts aren’t aimed at me. Just have a look at c/lemmyshitpost

Here are a few (non-personal) phone numbers I have memorised:

If you want a Macintosh in the 1990s:

1-800-MY-APPLE

Homer Simpson from The Simpsons:

(939) KL5-3226

Barney Gumble from The Simpsons:

(939) KL5-4796

Hastings Direct Insurance:

0800 001066

The Emergency Services in The IT Crowd:

0118 999 881 999 119 725 3

Some of them eat oysters, or so I’m told. They lack a brain and centralised nervous system.

Huh, neat.

“Know” is a stretch. Plants respond to attack by releasing chemicals (e.g. nettles and grasses), curling or retracting their leaves (e.g. acacia), or by changing their morphology (e.g. holly); but they have no nervous system - let alone a brain - so it’s not like you’re killing an animal.

Guess it’s time to either get a new pendrive, or enter the void.

1. You don’t need an account, and there is no such thing as a GrapheneOS account. Most of your apps should be able to be installed through either F-Droid, Obtainium, or the sandboxed Play Store. Some apps require Google Play Services, however, but LineageOS has an alternative called microG which works most of the time, and GrapheneOS containerises apps.
2. GrapheneOS, I believe, uses the default gallery and SMS apps from stock Android; and they also have their own camera, PDF viewer, and web browser (Vanadium), which are developed in-house. However, cloud syncing and note-taking apps are not included. I would suggest either having a look on F-Droid, asking on this sublemmy, or checking out Privacy Guides to find some apps you’ll like.
3. GrapheneOS doesn’t have a “cloud”, as such. This is a good thing, and it lets you choose your own provider if you must. I would personally recommend Filen for files and photos, and Cryptee for notes.
4. It is completely possible to use multiple app stores. If you use GrapheneOS, I would say use F-Droid or Obtainium when possible, and the Sandboxed Play Store for everything else.
5. We like to use things like NextCloud because it gives us full control over our data, among other reasons. However, it is not essential. I, personally, use Filen for my cloud sync needs; but I also tend to use physical storage a lot because of my shitty internet and cheap hardware. You also don’t necessarily need to pay for these services, but it’s polite and it can improve your experience.

Good luck on your privacy journey, and don’t hesitate to ask more questions. In addition to Lemmy, here are a few good resources:

• Privacy Guides
• !privacyguides
• Techlore
• Techlore Forum
• The New Oil