Safest measure, from what I understand, is to completely replace the system for a vanilla one - that is, without any software from Google or related - and then install alternatives unrelated to the datahoarding companies.

In case it's already available, and to those that have Spotify, are the downloaded musics playable only through Spotify, or do they come in a format that can be played in the user's player of choice, such as the formats flac, aac/m4a and mp3?

I think that, if you have the resources to support that niche, which the savings from cheap offers hopefully allowed for, and you want to see it grow, it's worth paying more.

Source: https://deviantart.com/view/423772917

Thanks! Will check it.

Adding to this comment, the OP may want to be cautious about Firefox specifically. The Mozilla team has been pushing more and more anti-privacy "features" for some years now (perhaps due to Google's influence). Its forks, however and thankfully, try to fix those issues.
And regarding Mull specifically, and this may be an issue with my specific environment but I think it's worth noting, from my tests, downloading it from Aurora Store makes it crash on launch, while downloading from F-Droid store's default repository works just fine, so also beware where you get your browser from.

[Copypasta of the other repost] While I know the situation described in the article can set a precedent, the title feels misleading at best, given the article describes a single case, and not (yet) a widespread practice.

Sim.

Mostly rotating between the likes of Nightwish, Sabaton, Feuerschwanz and Plumbo.

Entendo.

Outra coisa que pode fazer também é baixar as músicas que gosta e deixar tocando num VLC da vida. Além de ferramentas para baixar de serviços como do youtube, também existem serviços que vendem as músicas, tipo o já mencionado Bandcamp, o ITunes da Apple, e a loja japonesa Ototoy. Acaba saindo mais caro, mas pelo menos você não depende da boa vontade da empresa toda vez que quer acessar a música, e depois de baixar, pode continuar usufruindo mesmo se a empresa deixar de existir.

Se não me engano, tudo no Youtube Music tem no Youtube normal, então talvez poderia usar o Grayjay? Ele agrega alguns serviços de vídeo e música, como Youtube, Spotify, Soundcloud, e por extensão de terceiros, Bandcamp. Só, especificamente quanto ao Youtube, direto a Google está tentando quebrar a usabilidade de ferramentas não oficiais, então paciência se a ferramenta que você for escolher começar a ter problemas com a compatibilidade com o Youtube.

On the joke, define "sane". 😬

On a serious note, I think there are valid reasons to have several VMs other than "I was bored". In my case, for example, I have a total of 7 VMs, where 2 are miscellaneous systems to test things out, 2 are for stuff that I can't normally run on Linux, 2 are offline VMs for language dictionaries, and 1 is a BlissOS VM with Google programs in case I can't/don't want to use my phone.

As for consoles improved by emulation, PS Vita, although I'd argue it benefits from modding in general, with how much it can then run.

As for the OG being preferred, the 3DS and possibly the PS1. Both to me have a charm to their graphics that work better on the screens they were originally meant to run on.

I don't make many calls, but I have observed the custom ROM I use, ArrowOS, has native screen and audio recording, so perhaps it also has call recording functions, and even if not, I imagine the screen/audio recording could be used for that purpose too.

VPN maybe?

Samsung's been around for a while, some of their devices even have locks on hardware features if the bootloader is unlocked, e.g. the camera in those fold phones, so I ask, what devices exactly?

Step 1. Get your unique unlock code
(...)
Go to the dedicated page for the bootloader code.
Enter the IMEI 1 and serial number in the text fields of the form.
Click the blue button Get your unlock code.
You will then get your unique unlock code with further details.
Write down the code somewhere. You'll need it later.

That sounds a lot like a form of external validation, so not really independent of third parties, and therefore not really an option for what I asked.

One thing I find interesting about the game is that its plot it cryptic not just because it is as tattered as Hallownest, but also because of the way characters talk, almost like their dialogues were written in a different language and then converted to English. In fact, it only clicked for me when I got to the Grey Mourner, with how differently she speaks even from other NPCs.

My current phone is a 2019 model, and it handles my demands decently.

Sadly it's still a dependence on a 3rd party.

User over_clox commented here in the post that apparently a device known as Blu B131DL allows for the bootloader to be unlocked independently, so I'll keep an eye for that.