Google Collects 20 Times More Data on Android Than Apple Does on iPhone: Study

Google and Apple both collect data from Android and iOS every 4.5 minutes on average.

Advertisement
By Vineet Washington | Updated: 31 March 2021 14:29 IST
Highlights
  • Researchers users a Pixel phone and an iPhone for comparison
  • Google and Apple collect data every 4.5 minutes on average
  • With 10 minutes of startup, Google collects around 1MB of data
Google Collects 20 Times More Data on Android Than Apple Does on iPhone: Study

Google does not agree with the research methodology

Google collects more data from Android users than Apple does from iOS users, a new research report states. Researchers from Trinity College Dublin, Ireland, compared the data that a Pixel phone shared with Google with what iPhones share with Apple and found that Google collects 20 times more handset data than Apple. The research also found that even when “minimally configured” the Pixel and iPhone models shared data quite frequently, on average. According to a report, Google disagrees with the methodology behind the research.

The research conducted by Douglas J. Leith and his team from Trinity College Dublin on mobile handset privacy pit a Pixel phone made by Google against an iPhone made by Apple against each other to see which manufacturer collects more user data. It found that both Pixel and iPhone models shared data with their respective manufacturers every 4.5 mins on average. The data collected includes IMEI, hardware serial number, SIM serial number and IMSI, handset phone number and more, as well as telemetry.

When a user inserts a SIM in either of these smartphones, both Google and Apple are sent details. It was found that iOS sends the MAC addresses of nearby devices to Apple as well as their GPS location. iOS users cannot opt out of this and there seem to be almost no realistic options for preventing this. When not logged in, while both phones send IMEI, hardware serial number, SIM serial number, and phone number to the manufacturers, Google collects Android ID, Resettable Device Identifier or Ad ID that is used for measurement and ads (RDID/Ad ID), and DroidGuard key that is used to device attestation. In comparison, Apple only collects UDID and Ad ID.

Apple was found to collect user's location even when not logged in, as well as the local IP address whereas Google did not. Google also collected Wi-Fi MAC address while Apple did not. Both operating systems send telemetry data even when the user opts out of it. Within 10 minutes of startup, Google collects about 1MB of data while Apple collects about 42KB. When left idle, Google collects about 1MB data every 12 hours while Apple collects about 52KB.

Advertisement

A report by Arstechnica, who first spotted the research, cites a Google spokesperson who states that Google disagrees with the methodology of this research.

“We identified flaws in the researcher's methodology for measuring data volume and disagree with the paper's claims that an Android device shares 20 times more data than an iPhone. According to our research, these findings are off by an order of magnitude, and we shared our methodology concerns with the researcher before publication.” It goes on to say, “This research largely outlines how smartphones work. Modern cars regularly send basic data about vehicle components, their safety status and service schedules to car manufacturers, and mobile phones work in very similar ways. This report details those communications, which help ensure that iOS or Android software is up to date, services are working as intended, and that the phone is secure and running efficiently.”

Advertisement

The report adds that as per the representative, saying that an Android user can opt out of sharing telemetry data is “inaccurate”. Google considers this data crucial for the Android device to operate normally and that telemetry data is not covered under Android Usage and Diagnostics.


Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast, has a double bill this week: the OnePlus 9 series, and Justice League Snyder Cut (starting at 25:32). Orbital is available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts.

Affiliate links may be automatically generated - see our ethics statement for details.
 

For the latest tech news and reviews, follow Gadgets 360 on X, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads and Google News. For the latest videos on gadgets and tech, subscribe to our YouTube channel. If you want to know everything about top influencers, follow our in-house Who'sThat360 on Instagram and YouTube.

Advertisement

Related Stories

Popular Mobile Brands
  1. OnePlus Could Unveil a Compact Flagship Tablet Alongside the OnePlus 15T
  2. Oppo K13 Turbo, K13 Turbo Pro With Inbuilt Fan, 7,000mAh Battery Launched
  3. Redmi Note 15 Pro+, iQOO Z10 Specifications Tipped Ahead of Debut
  4. Vodafone Idea (Vi) Gives Extra Benefits With These Prepaid Plans: Report
  5. Vivo Y50m 5G, Vivo Y50 5G With 6,000mAh Battery Launched: All Details
  6. Oppo K13 Turbo, K13 Turbo Pro Specifications Teased Ahead of Launch Today
  7. Lava Blaze Dragon India Price Range Tipped, Chipset Details Confirmed
  8. DuckDuckGo Will Now Let You Hide AI Images From Search Results This Way
  1. Algae-Grown Bioplastic Passes Mars Pressure Test, Boosting Hopes for Red Planet Habitats
  2. NASA Tests Modular Satellite Tech to Cut Launch Costs and Speed Missions
  3. NASA’s Twin TRACERS Satellites Will Monitor Space Weather to Shield Earth from Solar Storms
  4. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Might Not Feature Upgraded Titanium Backplate Included With Galaxy Z Fold 7: Report
  5. Samsung Galaxy Tab A11 LTE Version Reportedly Surfaces on FCC, IMEI Certification Websites
  6. Asus Vivobook 14 Launched in India With Snapdragon X Processor, 14-Inch LCD Screen: Price, Specifications
  7. Meta Says It Won't Sign EU’s GPAI Code of Practice Due to ‘Legal Uncertainties’
  8. OnePlus Teases Launch of New Tablet in India on July 23; OnePlus Pad Lite Expected to Debut
  9. Redmi Note 15 Pro+, iQOO Z10 Tipped to Feature Snapdragon Chipsets, 1.5K Resolution Displays
  10. Ubisoft's Upcoming Launches Include a New Ghost Recon Game, CEO Says
Gadgets 360 is available in
Download Our Apps
Available in Hindi
© Copyright Red Pixels Ventures Limited 2025. All rights reserved.