AOSP (Android Open Source Project) lies at the heart of the mobile operating system’s ecosystem. Keeping the ecosystem free and open doesn’t seem to be Google’s goal, unfortunately.

For an extensive overview of the current topics, read through keepandroidopen.org.

Note
 This post is supposed to raise awareness.

My coping mechanism

I’m not willing to give up my digital liberty just yet. I’ve been using CalyxOS for the past few years on a Pixel 4a and Pixel 8. I’m also using various open source Android apps such as NewPipe, Aegis Authenticator, K-9Mail/Thunderbird, Librera and many more. CalyxOS is not actively maintained right now, so I had to switch.

Now I’m running GrapheneOS on a Pixel 9 Pro and I’m also quite happy with it.

Using a non-vendor operating system seems to be the only certain way to avoid Google’s attempt to disallow unsigned third party apps in the future.

Tip
 Please consider giving the free software a try and spread awareness of what’s happening. I have not encountered any real issues aside from the extra time you have to spend to take control of your phone.