I really can't agree with Google in this particular case.
I grew up when computers didn't babysit me and tried to act like the good old GDR, knowing every thing better than their citicens.
Nowadays, I feel more and more hindered by computers, not enabled. Computers used to be a production device (I could create things with them).
Phones are not a computer - phones are a just "consume like we want you to" device.
The problem is, I want my phone to be a creation device. A device that allows me to create content, text, to do lists, shopping lists, ideas and store them. And(!) sync them using the tools I decide to use. And not force me to use tools I friggin hate, because they just don't get the job done.
Almost by definition, the people who argue strongly for free use of their hardware and software are almost never the same people who argue strongly for safety and security restrictions. You seem to be frustrated by a contradiction or inconsistency that doesn't exist.
It's true that Google can't win the hearts of both sides, but they surely know that -- you don't need to get so personally frustrated on their behalf. It's just a company with a product in a market, and the market is never going to be uniform.
There's very few permissions on android that are system/privileged/preinstalled.
I'm not saying that's a good thing, but it's not exactly a secret when you bought it.
There really is: https://puri.sm/products/librem-5.
And it's my daily driver.
Flash your favorite open firmware, enjoy and let regular users who cannot do that avoid permission extortion. The world has needs and issues, it is not spinning around your skillset.