At least a while ago you could skip setting up an account. But that means you need to use an alternate app store. Or you get a device that is supported by line

At least a while ago you could skip setting up an account. But that means you need to use an alternate app store. Or you get a device that is supported by lineage. Then you're even freed from all the Google related services that would otherwise still run in the background and do who knows what. You'd still need an alternate way of getting apps, and even if you sideload them, some might not work since they rely on Google play services. Or you get a Chinese phone, since Google is banned there they all have alternate app stores, plus a crap load of shovelware that spams your notifications with ads and you share all your personal data with a different government agency than you would with the Google variant.