> Shouldn't there be a "Chromium-Privacy" project that branches Chromium and reviews code changes, to keep it aligned with such goals?
Maybe Iridium is what you're looking for. From their fp:
> Iridium is a free, open, and libre browser modification of the Chromium code base, with privacy being enhanced in several key areas. Automatic transmission of partial queries, keywords, metrics to central services inhibited and only occurs with consent. In addition, all our builds are reproducible, and modifications are auditable, setting the project ahead of other secure browser providers.