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You're right in that a binary blob may just contain a backdoor and analyzing it is very hard.

There is Replicant ( http://www.replicant.us/ ), a version of Android that aims to get rid of all binary blobs. There is also CopperheadOS ( https://copperhead.co/android/ ).

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Replicant got rid of all the binary blobs (for the main OS, that is), is not just aiming. The effects are of course that you can't use wifi, unless you're using a USB dongle. Not only that, but Replicant is only ported to devices where the GSM chip can be securely turned off (in other words, it's a separate chip, under the control of the main proccesor); Also, the GSM and GPS chips should be separate. The baseband OS if ofcourse still proprietary, but it can be considered an acceptable tradeof, given that it's only connected to the main processor via a USB-like connection (HSIC).

Shameless plug: we sell preinstalled Replicant phones at https://tehnoetic.com/

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