Pixel 7 Pro here and on the latest update, and I have it. Mine is from factory, so no payment plan at all.

I'm of the strong opinion that this ought not to be a thing. Even if you stop paying rent, they can kick you out, but there's a process they need to follow (in Australia anyway).

These software locks means they can do whatever they want, even if they're in the wrong, and then you're shit out of luck until you can take them to court, if you even have the time to do it...

It's so wrong, because of the power imbalance I really think this kind of thing should be railed against at all costs.

Google should not install this shit by default, and sneakily as well.

I own the phone outright, never on any payment plan or have any creditors.

A lot of these system apps, while updated via the play store, won't show up if you search the play store for them. They also won't have reviews. An easy example, on my phone at least, is something called "Android System Intelligence".

Same, I bought my pixel outright and use mint and this system app is not installed.

I don't have a carrier in that sense. I bought it directly from the Australian Google Store outright, and pay prepaid plans for mobile coverage.

It's 100% mine, unlocked to use with any network it's compatible with.

Hey man, quit repeating that. Each time we do it becomes closer to truth. Reality is what we make of it and we if tell these fucks no means no, it'll stop.

We'll own things, and we'll be unhappy about people trying to take away the things we own and paid for.