this post was submitted on 23 Sep 2023
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If you sniff your network, you will notice whenever your network changes (wifi or data, doesn't matter) android will send tracking data to firebase servers, so you can receive push notifications (even if you didn't opt in to any). also your DNS is probably set to googles DNS, so they can see any domain your device looks up (most apps will at least try to ping something, so google will know when you used them). also Android will try to test your connection quality in order to display an exclamation mark or so in the status bar. depending on version, it will be using further google services for that.
What can we do without rooting
I'd probably think about switching to Graphene OS at that point
i used this once https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=dnsfilter.android . there are similar apps. they can block a lot, but it will lead to things not working, for example push notifications probably won't work, if you block firebase servers.
Use rethinkDNS, basically it'll use your VPN slot and will set a custom DNS of your choice+filter lists. It has more features tho like wireguard integration.
Without rooting, you can switch to Firefox, install an add blocker, and use a VPN set to an exit node in Europe or California. Alternately, live in Europe or California.