I don’t make many calls, but I have observed the custom ROM I use, ArrowOS, has native screen and audio recording, so perhaps it also has call recording functions, and even if not, I imagine the screen/audio recording could be used for that purpose too.

VPN maybe?

Samsung’s been around for a while, some of their devices even have locks on hardware features if the bootloader is unlocked, e.g. the camera in those fold phones, so I ask, what devices exactly?

Step 1. Get your unique unlock code
(…)
Go to the dedicated page for the bootloader code.
Enter the IMEI 1 and serial number in the text fields of the form.
Click the blue button Get your unlock code.
You will then get your unique unlock code with further details.
Write down the code somewhere. You’ll need it later.

That sounds a lot like a form of external validation, so not really independent of third parties, and therefore not really an option for what I asked.

My current phone is a 2019 model, and it handles my demands decently.

Ooooooh

I’ll keep an eye to that phone. Thanks!

User GodlessCommie commented here in the post that Pixel phones use an online check, so maybe OnePlus is the same indeed.

Sadly it’s still a dependence on a 3rd party.

User over_clox commented here in the post that apparently a device known as Blu B131DL allows for the bootloader to be unlocked independently, so I’ll keep an eye for that.

Afaik most such Reddit alternatives support RSS feeds, so a RSS reader could be an option.

Look for games that are sold DRM free. Those can’t be taken from you by devs or the store after backed up. And usually devs and/or stores that deliberately sell such games also make it clear people can keep their games.

Found something: Apparently Recochoku occasionally sells music videos, but the store is blocked outside of Japan.

Yeah, things like interest of the right holders, contractual limitations and availability of a given media do play a part on getting published on a given platform.

Other than GOG’s withering “movies” section, I only remember of two that aren’t overly niche, DLsite and Fakku (both mainly porn stores). Maybe Itunes’ videos are DRM free, but I haven’t tested and still it would break the “no app” condition since it’s required for payment and download. Also maybe Itchio and Gumroad have something on videos too, since they don’t limit the types of media allowed there, but I have yet to confirm.

GOG tried, but either gave up or wasn’t able to keep supporting it (their communication is bad so hard to pinpoint). Now their movies section is just collecting dust, like Humble Trove was in the months before the old model was axed.