Not sure where your getting your information but the Pixel 5 has not gotten Android updates or security updates in over 7 months.

There are tons of examples of exploits being used to target EOL phones as its common for people to not care about these updates, or be misinformed, so they are easy targets.

If OP or anyone else wants to use an EOL phone that's fine but, don't pretend its a smart security practice. Although even if I were to use an EOL phone, LineageOS doesn't have the greatest background and isn't really degoogled

I am not sure if there is an example of that specific situation as it would be pretty odd for a phone to be receiving security patches but not firmware updates.

Anyway its not super relevant as the Pixel 5 does not receive firmware or security patches anymore.

OP also seems to be inferring he suggested to his friend to use a very specific security / privacy OS that does not recommend using that model phone anymore for the exact reasons I mentioned. Plus the model is only receiving partial support as a stop gap for users to have time to get a newer model and won't be supported much longer anyway.

Its always better to try and get firsthand knowledge through the FAQ then rely on, possibly inaccurate, Lemmy users. I would also seek answers on their official forum over Lemmy as well.

Did you try reading through the FAQ?

Pixel 5 is end-of-life and shouldn't be used anymore due to lack of security patches for firmware and drivers.

I understand if your friend is on a budget and simply can't afford a non EOL phone but, they should really consider a 6th gen Pixel or better if they care at all about their data security.

That's not how end to end encryption works.

Your scared of a slide to the right but already falling for their propaganda to undermine privacy by destroying encryption.

My problem with these lists is they never provide any sort of evidence as to why these suggestions should be trusted. No discernable criteria that a suggestion in a category has to meet, no evidence the site fact checks its suggestions.

Here you go:

"Google makes the most secure phone. Including for securing your phone against Google."

Its better then explaining you rather risk your data security then buy a phone from Google.

I like grapheneos the product.

The staff is super abrasive and they constantly attack other privacy projects. See the recent attacks on Jonah from privacy guides, or the attacks on calyx, or the bs with rossman that forced micay out of the spotlight.

They need to hire an outside professional to manage their PR. The way they communicate is their biggest flaw.

FYI- Its not a ROM.

EDIT: for the person down voting a fact - https://x.com/GrapheneOS/status/1588599635337445377

Problem for me is a lot of news and journalists are still only on Twitter.