Try PassAndroid. It hasn't been updated in more than a year, but...it works

I haven't tried it, but having tried Perplexity, I can say that it's difficult to have something that's worse than it!

or even pinging GPS satellites (because that leaves a log)

What logs does it leave and where? Satellite is a one way communication system, the devices just receive the satellites signal and calculate the position by themselves.

I've been sending my position to my server (with Traccar and GPSlogger) for years and I haven't had any problems with the battery. It sends out the position every 5 seconds (excessive, I know!!! 🙈) and every 69 seconds when the battery is below 25% and only when it's not connected to a WiFi network.

But I'm with you about the new Google tracking system. I haven't had the chance to check: does it work like Apple and can track devices that have been turned off?

I'll have a look at it. In the meanwhile, I've been using Tasker for that: if an SMS from curtains numbers is received with the text "POSITION", it will reply back with an OpenStreetMap link of the smartphone position.

For Android it's the default from V10 (if I'm not mistaken)!

Oh, I see! I missed that. Is it possible to block the Internet to Google Play Services?

From what I've seen, it can block the Internet for all the OS, not for single apps. But I'm not using that app, so I may be wrong.

Mmm...ok. Do you think that there is a way to hide one of them based on the season?

there must be a horde of MSFT employees holding back the urge of saying “told you so” to their boss right now lol

🤣