[fullstop]

I use LineageOS which has something called PrivacyGuard. I can give the app permission to access my contacts but then deny it at the PrivacyGuard level. I'm pretty sure that it just returns an empty contact list in this case.

[climb_stealth]

Interesting, I thought the PrivacyGuard and permissions were the same thing, except that the former gives you more control. I'll try that next time.