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 :)