[Mediterraneo10]

This is not limited to just those with Google Play Services installed. Even nearly pure AOSP builds like LineageOS still default to Google’s DNS servers, wifi gateway checks, and SUPL server, and replacing those defaults with privacy-respecting alternatives has been made harder due to changes that Google pushed into AOSP.

[bad_user]

Google Play Services provides valuable services that need a backend component.

I asked for evidence that Google tracks you in nefarious ways via Android.

Am I being tracked when using their DNS servers, which are otherwise very valuable for people suffering from DNS-level banning of websites?

And what do you mean by "privacy respecting"?

Words are cheap. I hope the privacy respecting apps and services you use can guarantee that either via technology (encryption, open source, reproducible builds), or via contract (and a ToS that can be changed on a whim for a free service isn't a contract that can protect you).

[Mediterraneo10]

> I hope the privacy respecting apps and services you use can guarantee that either via technology (encryption, open source, reproducible builds)

This is what the F-Droid repository is all about. But again, Google has insisted on changes to AOSP that will shortly make it much more difficult for ordinary users (i.e. those who cannot use the command line) to make use of such free and libre offerings.

[lern_too_spel]

You can replace them much more easily than you can on iOS, and you don't even need to install a third party ROM. You can turn SUPL off entirely on any Android phone out of the box, while you cannot on iOS.