[preisschild]

> Not having root prevents me from taking proper backups that include app data

You can handle this better without root. GrapheneOS includes SeedVault per default for example.

> Have you ever had to work on a locked-down machine at an office?

Fortunately I'm the admin at work :)

> I don't need Google or Graphene to play IT department for me.

GrapheneOS is security+privacy first and "enabling root" compromises on this. Thats why its not recommended.

[ForHackernews]

As I'm sure you're aware, SeedVault won't backup app data if the app authors have opted out of it. Again, this is an example of a system serving masters other than the device's owner.