On my mobile I use a pixel 4, I tried Graphene OS but my banking failed so back to stock Android
Here in Australia I just use a physical card for tap and go for payments etc or use cash. No need for Google Pay or bank payments app. Can log in via my bank via a web browser to move cash about or check spending.
I think you demonstrated the entire point, people prefer invasive convenience over privacy., along with flimsy justification. Not having a go, it's exactly what most people say when I query them about privacy, "It's so much eaaier and how I manage" etc etc.
Then we have your FB messenger thing. Dead lord, stop that. If they don't want to chat to me on Signal, they're obviously not my friend.