Because they are not releasing sources, it’s really hard to install alternative Android distributions on their devices.
Last I looked (which was 1-2 years ago), there were no alternative firmware for their devices.
Given the GPL violations in the wild, we should maybe try and not encourage them.
Edited for clarity
I can understand not being ideologically aligned with Stallman and Co.
I also agree that there must be lots of violations of the GPL out there. Software is often invisible.
That said, I don’t think there’s many big companies out there openly doing it. If get caught, they comply with the minimum effort possible, but they comply. I don’t see them being blatant or cavalier about it.
Two main reasons for me to avoid them:
1. The attitude makes them untrustworthy. If they are blatantly violating this, what else are they willing to ignore? They have obligations towards me as a consumer, for example. Will they respect those? Will they sale my data to others?
2. There’s no guarantee that they will continue being able to operate in my country. A judge could theoretically force them to close shop. So I’d rather not put my data on their product.
"You bought tickets to Avatar 2? Given the number of pirated copies online, I refuse to believe that anyone but the idiots among us are willing to pay for content."