Android phones have default settings and applications that allow Google to control how the user uses the phone for different purposes. According to Google’s data policy, data generated from user activities can be used by the company in a variety of ways.
Collecting data via Android mobile phone by Google is not necessarily a concern. Most of this data is eventually used to provide better services to the user. However, the user has the right to be aware of the information that is sent to Google.
Location tracking
Android uses the user’s location to provide related services or display locations close to him. When you enable your device’s location service and give Google access, your Android operating system will start tracking you.
For example, where you go, which route you take, and the important places you visit are tracked. You can view location history in your Google Account and Google Maps app.
There are ways to disable location history from Google Account settings, but eventually, Android phones will continue to send anonymous location data to Google to improve their services.
Google Assistant
Google Assistant or Google Assistant is the default Android voice assistant provided by Google. This voice assistant provides features to control the device and perform various tasks through voice commands.
Since it can manage almost the entire mobile phone via voice commands, Google Assistant also tracks a significant amount of data. This data includes voice patterns, popular applications, repetitive actions, location to display weather and related news, and more.
Google Assistant can perform most of the functions of the device and run applications. Hence, it can access almost all the data related to these applications and functions, which it uses to monitor and analyze how the device is used by the user.
Passwords
Android offers a useful feature for storing passwords in the Google Password Manager. This is in a situation where the user has the right to choose to use this feature. Google analyzes user passwords and provides security and privacy recommendations.
When you enter a password in the Chrome browser or into an app, such as Instagram or LinkedIn, your Android phone will offer to save the password. Android controls these passwords, and Password Manager offers suggestions on which ones to reuse or which ones are weak.
Google SMS, Contacts and Dialing apps
Google SMS, Contacts and Dialing apps are installed by default on most Android phones. These applications are one of the best free examples due to various features and integration with Google account.
Contacts and Dialing apps monitor important user data such as contacts, call history, frequently used contacts, and more. Similarly, Google’s SMS application tracks frequently used text messages and contacts.
Because these apps sync user data with their Google Account, Android uses them to monitor their activities. But this sync is useful most of the time because it acts as a backup for important user data.
Adjacent Wi-Fi networks
The Nearby Wi-Fi Networks feature allows the Android device to search for a Wi-Fi network within a certain area of the user. This feature allows the device to connect to Wi-Fi networks, especially those stored and open Wi-Fi networks.
Your Android phone uses location services to track your area and search for Wi-Fi networks throughout. This way, it can monitor the device to access nearby networks.
Google Photos
Google Photos is a photo and video storage and sharing application provided by Google. Google Photos backs up user photos and videos on Google servers, where it uses user media to improve its systems and artificial intelligence.
Google does not share user photos for advertising, but uses the data to train its AI system, such as Google Scan, Face Recognition, and Album Creation, to improve it.
Google Photos also uses GPS data to tag photo location. In this way, Google Photos indirectly tracks the user’s location.
Google Calendar
The Google Calendar app is installed by default on most Android phones. This application has strong privacy features, but it should be noted that Google services and applications use calendar data to analyze how the user uses.
Android mobile phone synchronizes Google Calendar data with the company’s servers. In addition, Google Assistant also has access to the user’s apps and events, so Google Calendar becomes an app that Android uses to monitor the user.
Chrome browser history and settings
Google Chrome needs no introduction and is the most widely used web browser in the world today. This browser has evolved significantly and offers good privacy features to users.
On an Android device, Google analyzes Chrome history and settings to provide relevant suggestions to improve the user experience. In this regard, URLs, images, cache, and other resources are saved from the browser history to improve its performance.
By default, all user history and browser activity are synced to your Google Account. If you do not want to share this information, you can use Incognito Mode in the Chrome browser.
Google Analytics tracking in applications
Google Analytics is an SEO and marketing tool for analyzing the performance of an application or website. Google monitors Android apps, usage patterns, and user history to collect and send data from apps to Google Analytics.
Google Analytics is often set up to track the use of a particular application by creating a unique tracking ID. The monitored data can be collected in the form of statistics by artificial intelligence agents and Google’s advanced machine learning. Almost every app you install may have Google Analytics code embedded in it.
Back up data and application settings
Whenever you back up your Android phone, data and app settings are stored in the cloud. This backup data is stored on Google Drive and Google servers and allows Google to monitor it.
According to Google policies, the company can analyze data and application settings to keep backups safe and to monitor any malicious data. The Android security system also scans the backup before uploading it to the cloud storage to ensure security.
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