I think you can only simplify things so much without making the entire thing pointless. As others have already said, install GrapheneOS yourself — it’s almost as easy as making an online purchase. And remember the phone is inherently a tracking device no matter what — especially if the cellular/radio stack is active.
I don’t think there’s any more shortcuts that can be taken if security and protection from surveillance are actually important.
My struggle is to not get bitter/angry at these situations. I have to keep reminding myself that there are about a billion other ways in which I am ignorant of things that are equally important. And that just a few years ago, I too, was completely on the big tech bandwagon (but only reluctantly so).
Your pain is so very relatable, pal 😢
Back before 7cups went to shit I used to volunteer there as a listener, taking chats from peers about their mental health.
A few lines into the chat I’d often get asked if I’m human. “Barely”, I’d think to myself, and then I’d reply with a simple “Yes”.
Sometimes the person would go on to request that I chat with them as a friend, and not as a professional. Which, of course, I’d struggle to accommodate as much as possible while simultaneously trying to explain that that’s just how I communicate 🫠
Faaaaark, I hate how much this speaks to me