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America isn't the reason I don't use Google Play Services... Google is the reason for that specific choice for me.
In my world it’s the same thing, but I get what you mean. I have an android phone and the only reason I haven’t switched to something else yet is because it’s a relatively new phone (bought it in 2022) and I’m the type to keep my phone until it dies of old age or it breaks beyond repair. Until this one croaks, I’ll be stuck with android for awhile, but good on you for switching.
Sadly I'm not completely switched away yet, I'm doing the best I can with the sacrifices I'm willing to make and accepting what I can't. I run GOS on a pixel, it has GPS but severely locked down, most apps get denied the network permission and pretty much nothing has access to any data outside of limited storage scopes or the minimum contacts (i.e. Android Auto can only see two contacts in my phone and can't see any SMS/messaging.
Beyond that I do the usual Google replacements (Nextcloud for files/seedvault backups, immich for photo backups, CoMaps instead of Google Maps, etc).
I yern for the day I can have an old flip phone with a hotspot built in for a few apps on other devices (or bt tethering).
I mean, I'm a tech retard, but it does sound to me that you're doing your best and no one can ask anymore or you or anyone else who has started their journey away from American tech and influence.
I, myself have made some the low-tech changes such as gtfo'ing all the mainstream social media platforms and boycotting streaming of all kinds (even European ones, but that's more because I find streaming to be peak depravity when it comes to modern day consumerism) and I have stopped using American search engines and browsers (with the occasional exception of DuckDuckGo). Besides that I don't buy American products at the store if I can avoid it. I know it's not gonna affect America in any way that I no longer buy raisins from California, but to me it's a matter of principle, and while they won't feel it, local competitors definitely will. There's a cola brand in my country that has absolutely exploded in popularity since Trump threatened to annex Greenland. This brand had such a big demand that they ran out of indregients for production and had to upscale.
This has become part of my joy and excitement for the future, because it's not really about hurting America, it's about building up Europe and nothing motivates me more than to realize that my shopping priorities and me joining communities like Lemmy and switching to Ecosia etc is me supporting alternative that will give a voice and/or financial growth to people who actually deserve it.
But yeah, I think you're doing a good job with the initiatives you've been taking. It's inspiring to me! And oh man, what I would give for a good old button phone xD I was planning on getting one of those after my current phone dies, but my spouse made some very good arguments for why I will need a smartphone in the future so I'll have to figure out how the hell I'm gonna do that once my phone dies. Because there are plenty of European alternatives, but I run into the same issues as the picture posted above haha. There are alternatives, but those are made to accommodate the elderly generations in my country and as my spouse said: once they die off, these low tech alternatives will be phased out too and we will all be expected to use smartphones for everything. 🤪
We all do our best to navigate this tech-jungle. I can't poopoo anyone doing their best and having to use American tech or services here and there. It's hard to fully escape it right now, but it will become easier in the future! ❤️