[codedokode]

Google could provide easy ways to control Internet traffic and to gain root access. For example, they could grant access to builtin linux iptables which doesn't cost anything to implement. And Google is easier to influence than noname chinese company.

Or they could not to sell Android license to companies not repecting consumer's privacy.

Even if I got refunded, what would I buy instead? Free market doesn't work here and all major manufacturers have some form of tracking and preinstalled software built in. It looks like the only way is to buy a backdoored proprietary device and replace a ROM (and then solve all kinds of problems with hardware not working properly or battery getting drained).

[hx87]

> Google could provide easy ways to control Internet traffic and to gain root access. For example, they could grant access to builtin linux iptables which doesn't cost anything to implement. And Google is easier to influence than noname chinese company.

And the manufacturer could simply unroot the phone and lock its bootloader. At the end of the day it's the phone manufacturer that controls the product, even if Google tries to prohibit such practices in its contracts.

[codedokode]

My phone has an option to unlock a bootloader. But it would take time to find or build a custom ROM and install it and solve all kinds of problems with drivers and hardware.

And generally it is pretty decent model. It sends some data home but at least it doesn't have preinstalled adware like another chinese tablet I saw (that displays an ad over browser window and tries to disguise it as a part of a web page).

[whyagaindavid]

Then do not buy such hardware. Do your homework or search or ask xda before buying phone/tablet. Or just get nexus or see copperheadOS