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From: Andrew <andys@nospam.com>
Newsgroups: comp.mobile.android
Subject: Re: What can't you do on Android WITHOUT a Google Account set up in the OS?
Date: Thu, 2 Jan 2025 05:50:04 -0000 (UTC)
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Carlos E.R. wrote on Wed, 1 Jan 2025 19:52:44 +0100 :

> So no, I'm not interested in finding out what I can do without a login 
> to google.

Hi Carlos,

The question has absolutely nothing to do with "a login to google".

The question is about replacement functionality with inherent privacy.
  YouTube ====> replaced by ====> NewPipe
  Chrome ====> replaced by ====> Ungoogled Chromium (or Bromite)
  Google Play Store ====> replaced by ====> Aurora 
  Gmail app ====> replaced by ====> FairEmail MUA (or similar)
  etc.
  
I have plenty of Google logins. This question has nothing to do with Google
logins per se - as it has to do with a Google Account set up as an integral
component deeply ensconced in Android. That's a very important distinction.

They're completely different things, Carlos.
Especially in terms of their privacy implications.

Because people forfeit their right to privacy the instant they define a
Google Account as an integral part of the Android operating system.

But IMHO, Android works just fine WITHOUT that parasitic Google Account.

Luckily most Google apps do NOT create a Google Account on the phone.
For example, Chrome doesn't. Neither does YouTube. Nor does Google Maps.

But some Google apps do infest Android with an integral Google Account.
1. GMail app (which is easily replaced with the FairEmail MUA)
2. Google Voice app (which can be replaced by another VOIP app)
3. FitBit app (which Theo informed us also infests Android settings)

Anything else, Carlos?

It is my premise that there is no useful Google app that doesn't have an
equivalent (usually FOSS equivalent) that avoids the privacy issues.

The purpose of this thread is to find out if that premise is correct.
What can't you do on Android WITHOUT a Google Account set up in the OS?