[bornfreddy]

Sorry for late reply, just noticed your post.

We are talking about different threat models. I trust Google not to hack my phone, but I don't trust them not to spy on me. So yes, running a Google binary blob in privileged mode occasionally is preferred to running non-privileged Google binary blob all the time (otherwise push notifications do not work on GrapheneOS, IME).

I never used App Lounge but always F-Droid directly, or Aurora Store, so I can't comment on that.

But more importantly, you seem to confuse my rant against GrapheneOS not supporting MicroG as an endorsement of /e/OS. I know they have their set of problems, some of which you outlined. However if my goal is to limit communication of my device with Google as much as possible, then they (/LineageOS) still win. Which is a pity, I like GrapheneOS security focus otherwise, but my primary priority is degoogling my phone as much as possible (and no, it is not possible to do it completely without serious tradeoffs I am not willing to make).