You can manage Flatpak permissions with Flatseal.

This. It isn’t the same as having search built nativly into the launcher, but I’m not using any other assist app and therefor that usage slot is open.

Of couese. I have been deliberatly more engaged here than I was there.

Yeah IDK if you are even able to get the bootloader onlocked for your version. Regardless, there is still a lot that you can do with stock. You can disable most of the Google stuff through ADB and install F-Droid. Neo store even has backgroud updates for Andrpid 12+ IIRC. Here is a short guide: https://www.reddit.com/r/degoogle/comments/jqxe1u/tutorial_how_to_degoogle_any_android_phone/

I can’t vouch for performance or update breakages though.

Definitly hurting for engagement and content, but seemingly improving.

I use Neo launcher and then have KISS launcher for searching.

It will really depend on use case. The most straight forward one is using LineageOS and F-Droid. With more specifics, I can give you a better fitting setup.

Getting into technology in general and realizing just how powerful data made me start caring about these things. The constant abuses coming to light over the years have just reenforced my convictions.

Like the Equifax hack that nobody cares about anymore?

I still lecture people on the correct detergent to use and to do a prewash because on him. 😂