> But from an "I own my hardware and should use it" perspective, Google continue to allow OEM unlock on Play Store purchased Pixel phones, and the developer console will allow self-signing arbitrary APKs for development on an enrolled device [...]

But that's not really using it, is it? If the process of getting access to do whatever I want on my smartphone makes it cease to be a viable smartphone, can you really count that as being able to use it?

It's like if having your car fixed by a third party mechanic made it not street legal. It is still a car and it does still drive, but are you really still able to meaningfully use it?

And before anyone jumps on my metaphor with examples of where that's actually the case with cars, think about which cases and why. There are modifications that are illegal because they endanger others or the environment, but everything else is fair game.