I installed NetGuard about a month ago and blocked all internet to apps, unless they're on a whitelist. No notifications from this particular system app (that can't be disabled) until recently when it started making internet connection requests to google servers. Does anyone know when this became a thing?
Edit 2: I bought my Pixel 6 phone outright, directly from Google's Australian store. I have no creditors.
Were the courts not enough control for creditors? Since when are they allowed to lock you out of your purchased property without a court order?
I don't even live in the US, so what the actual fuck?
Edit 1: You can check it's installed (~~stock~~ Pixel 6 android 14) Settings > Apps > All Apps > three dot menu, Show system > search "DeviceLockController".
I highly recommend getting NetGuard, you can enable pro features via their website if you have the APK for as low as 0.10€, but donate more, because it's amazing. You can also purchase via Google Play store.
To install a custom ROM you need to unlocked the boot-loader. I believe doing so requires fetching a code from the manufacturer in order for them to verify that your particular phone is not actively on credit, among other things. Those other things are left undefined. If you are unable to unlock the boot-loader, you are left in the complete mercy of the manufacturer, as is the case with OP.
Manufacturers should not have such control of such widespread and important gadgets, it is dangerous.
According to OP he's not running GrapheneOS because it's a "high barrier of entry" (I promise, it is not). He also claims that GrapheneOS also has this problem, based on another comment which mentions Device Lock Controller. Device Lock Controller doesn't work on GrapheneOS. So he is misinformed, DLC does not work on Graphene. He made a mistake by not flashing his phone with Graphene. It is very likely that he would've evaded this problem had he done so.
It is very unfortunate, and I do feel sympathy for him. These things do need to be regulated away ASAP.