Regardless of the distribution, would it be possible to have a phone that can be simplified to include only the features you want? For example, I would only want a calendar, notes, a calculator, calls and messages. I wouldn’t want a browser, an app store or any other way to easily install them. Is this possible on a Linux mobile distro? Does it require a lot of work, like making a specific distro for it?
Linux feels like a great option for this because it can leave enough freedom to dumb down what you don’t need while also keeping a big level of customization, not everyone needs are the same regarding to dumbphones
I’m currently using a Pixel with GOS on it. But I “went away from Google” (stopped using their services) because I don’t trust them to keep the telemetry about me they store safe. (Or use it in a way I’m fine with).
And altering the physical hardware in a way to spy on a phones users, irregardless of the operating system, isn’t a reasonable concern (I believe you can think of a fair few reasons).
There are very few phones that actually have open firmware, which is unfortunate, but in most peoples cases (like when you don’t trust Google to use your data responsibly) they can accept that risk. They have done it with every other phone they used as well. And those were (probably) a lot less open than Pixels are.
You can also make the more meta-argument that since the police in Catalonia and French law enforcement saw those phones as a threat, you can be sure you have secure phone in your hands.
p.s. This was a lot less concise than I expected. Sorry for the text wall :)