Arkenfox is simply a set of configuration you can (and should) apply yourself onto a clean Firefox installation.

A fork means taking the source code and modifying it directly, not providing an alternative configuration file.

Arkenfox is not a fork FYI

Hosting data yourself wouldn’t be required, but it would become an option.

You’d have the option of leaving your identity on your home server, or a separate domain/website, or host your data and identity but use another instance to federate.

Though, designing UX for this will be an interesting challenge.

I think Whoogle does that?

Sorry for the late reply, that shadow is present in most launchers as a default option to create contrast between the wallpaper and status icons.

Things like Nova Launcher and Lawnchair have options to disable it.

Awesome to see that Sony development is still kicking <3

use Tor Browser.

If your concern is fingerprinting, that is undeniably the best there is out of the box.

If you want Tor Browser without having to use the Tor Network, Mullvad is basically just that; Tor Browser without the Network.

What exactly does Google have left that people like? Gmail?

Nope, not GMail either, even GMail has ads now.

I’d love to slap LineageOS on a modern sony

Loved their devices back then, especially because they offer an extended range of updates specifically for developing on-top of AOSP, even including (Major) Kernel Updates

That on a modern device? Count me in

is this everywhere on the device?