Comment by other8026

Sandboxed Google Play isn't installed by default, so users have a choice if they want to use it or not. Many don't.

GrapheneOS is more deGoogled than alternatives, so if you're thinking privacy = deGoogling, then GrapheneOS is a good option.

But you seem to be under the impression that microG improves privacy. That's not the case when you look at the big picture. Consider why people need microG in the first place. It's basically there to pretend to be Google Play Services for apps that rely on Google Play Services. Which apps are those? Apps with Google libraries in them.

So, pretend apps with Google libraries are an "app & mini Google Play Services", and the breakdown is like this:

---

App & mini Google Play Services = access is restricted, like other regular apps.

App & mini Google Play Services + Sandboxed Google Play (unprivileged) = virtually the same access as above

App & mini Google Play Services + microG (privileged) = Google has the same access as the situations above, but with worse app compatibility, worse security (especially because of privileged access), and worse privacy (leaks).