Consumer Rights Wiki - User contributions [en]

Insta360

2025-09-01T11:24:55Z

Jimbo: Add section about overreaching user service agreement

{{InfoboxCompany
| Name = Arashi Vision Inc.
| Type = Private
| Founded = 2015
| Industry = Technology, Consumer Electronics, Videography, Photography
| Official Website = https://www.insta360.com/
| Logo = Insta360_Logo.png
}}[[wikipedia:Insta360|'''Insta360''']] is a Chinese technology company headquartered in Shenzhen, Guangdong, China, with offices in Los Angeles, Tokyo, and Berlin. Founded in 2015 by JK Liu, Insta360 specializes in designing and manufacturing 360-degree cameras, action cameras, editing software for mobile and desktop, and stereoscopic 180-degree cameras for virtual reality (VR) content creation.

==Consumer impact summary==
===Freedom===
Same as with some [[DJI]] products, this manufacturer's devices require an initial connection to a proprietary app in order to be usable. DJI allows only five power-on cycles before requiring activation through their DJI Mimo app for cameras like the Osmo Action series and Pocket 3.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Activating Your Handheld Products |url=https://support.dji.com/help/content?customId=01700006759&spaceId=17&re=US&lang=en&documentType=&paperDocType=ARTICLE |url-status=live |website=DJI Support}}</ref>

In contrast, manufacturers like AKASO and SJCAM maintain more consumer-friendly approaches, allowing their cameras to operate without app activation. Their apps provide remote control and advanced features but remain optional enhancements rather than mandatory requirements.

Please check if the activation via the Insta360 APP can be bypassed via manual firmware update, as supposedly this is the case with GoPro cameras. For manual firmware updates for your camera, please check the Insta360 manual.

=== User Service Agreement requiring promotion of Chinese interests regardless of user country ===
As of writing in 2025, the current version isn't as different compared to similar agreements by other digital companies, but it cannot be ruled out whether under the current user service agreement they would still enforce the aspects of prior user service agreements and disable user accounts and applications if those were considered as breached. Since an user account and an application was/is required for continued use of the products, termination of such would effectively terminate the hardware too.

As with many other digital hardware purchases, the buyer is required to accept privacy policies and user service agreements ''after'' the sale has taken place. It is up to the seller or retailer whether the buyer can return the product if they consider the terms of software unacceptable. Additionally the buyer must potentially deal with return postage fees and extra hassle, so the company is essentially forcing the user service agreement with the cost of the hard to return product as leverage.

==== Insta360 user service agreement during 2023 ====
In the user service agreement, under section 7. which was about intellectual property, the user agreed to comply with "''the Law of the People's Republic of China on Keeping Confidentiality of State Secrets, Copyright Law of the People's Republic of China, Regulations of the People's Republic of China for Safety Protection of Computer Information Systems, Regulations for the Protection of Computer Software, Regulations on the Protection of the Right to Network Dissemination of Information and other laws and regulations relating to computer and Internet regulations''". In further sections of the agreement the requirement is further expanded to cover any and all laws and regulations that may be relevant to a region or situation.

It was mentioned that if either agreeing party of this agreement breached it, "''the breaching party shall compensate the defending party for the damage''".<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Insta360 |date= |title=Insta360 User Service Agreement |url=https://www.insta360.com/support/supportcourse?post_id=9146&locale=en |url-status=deviated |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230720011823/https://www.insta360.com/support/supportcourse?post_id=9146&locale=en |archive-date=2023-07-20 |access-date=}}</ref>

In the same document under section 8. titled "''User behaviour specification''" it was mandated that any content you may transmit trough their application does not contain content that:

(2) ''endangers national unity ...'' [of China]

(3) ... ''damages national honor and interests'' [of China or any country]

(5) ''undermines national religious policies, promoting cults and superstition'' [of China or any country]

(6) ''disturbs social order'' [of China or any country]

(8) ''infringing on'' ... ''legitimate rights and interests of'' [any] ''others''

And if these were breached, they have right to terminate services and to report to relevant govenrment departments.<ref name=":0" /> Effectively bricking the hardware as a result.

In the document under section 12. titled "Special agreement", it is mentioned that the services are delivered from China and it is up to the user to make sure it complies according to their local law.

Even if it was considered unreasonable to require agreement of those above mentioned aspects according to the users local jurisdiction, it is entirely reasonable to assume that if a Chinese law was breached, they could still terminate the products.<ref name=":0" />

===Locked Features===
Some of advertised features of the [[Insta360 X5]] cannot be used outside of the mobile app.

For example the Starlapse mode, which is available on-camera. In this mode the camera does indeed shoot a timelapse with long exposure frames as expected, but the actual starlapse with star trails as advertised on the official page cannot be created outside of the mobile app. Even in the desktop official insta360 app, the starlapse is not available at all. If the user wants to create a starlapse, then they must keep all the photos on the microSD card and use the mobile app to frame and export the video. If at a later date the user wants to export another angle of view from the same timelapse, then they must copy all the individual frames back to the microSD card, insert it into the camera and use the mobile app once again.

===Embedded advertising===
Certain Insta360 devices, such as the [[Insta360 X5]], feature a persistent notification bar button in the camera's interface that promotes Insta360+, a paid cloud service, even for non-subscribers. This promotional element cannot be disabled or hidden, representing what critics call an unprecedented level of advertising intrusion in hardware that users have already purchased.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ried |first=Erwin |date=30 Apr 2025 |title=I bought the X5... the cloud360+ stuff is getting out of control! It's destroying the app and the firmware, why it needs to be everywhere? I get it, I see how it can be useful but CAN I PLEASE HIDE IT OR DISABLE IT? Instead of a sync to cloud button, can I have something useful there? 🥲 I moved away from GoPro because how annoying and slow they made their apps... But now I am starting to think on DJI when they release their 360 if insta360 continues messing the app so much |url=https://www.facebook.com/groups/Insta360OneCommunity/permalink/9513988438690999/ |url-status=live |access-date=1 May 2025 |website=[[Facebook]]}}</ref>

===User complaints===
Common user complaints include:

*Cameras becoming unusable when smartphones are incompatible with the app
*Inability to activate cameras in areas without internet connectivity
*Missing critical filming opportunities due to activation failures
*No alternative desktop activation method
*Forced acceptance of data collection and advertising policies<ref>{{Cite web |title=Insta360 Reviews |url=https://www.trustpilot.com/review/www.insta360.com?page=10 |url-status=live |website=Trustpilot}}</ref>

==Mandatory app activation requirements==
All recent Insta360 camera models require mandatory activation through the Insta360 mobile app before they can record any video or take photos.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Activation - X3 Support |url=https://onlinemanual.insta360.com/x3/en-us/camera/firstuse/activation |url-status=live |website=Insta360}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Activation - X4 Support |url=https://onlinemanual.insta360.com/x4/en-us/camera/firstuse/activation |url-status=live |website=Insta360}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Activation - X5 Support |url=https://onlinemanual.insta360.com/x5/en-us/camera/firstuse/activation |url-status=live |website=Insta360}}</ref> This activation process demands:

*An active internet connection
*A compatible smartphone (iOS or Android)
*Account creation with Insta360
*Agreement to data collection policies<ref>{{Cite web |title=Insta360+ (U.S.) Privacy Policy |url=https://www.insta360.com/support/supportcourse?post_id=20791 |url-status=live |website=Insta360}}</ref>

Without completing this activation process, cameras costing hundreds of dollars are non-functional for their primary purpose of recording video or taking photos. No desktop activation alternative exists at the time of writing, leaving users with incompatible smartphones or those in areas without reliable internet unable to use their purchased devices.<ref>{{Cite web |title=ONE R won't work without activation |url=https://forums.insta360.com/section/14/post/6990/ |url-status=live |website=Insta360 Community Forum}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=How to activate Insta360 One R without App? |url=https://forums.insta360.com/section/14/post/7916/ |url-status=live |website=Insta360 Community Forum}}</ref>

===Activation process===
The activation requirement goes beyond simple registration. Users must:

#Connect their cameras via WiFi and Bluetooth
#Confirm the connection on the camera's touchscreen
#Maintain an internet connection throughout the entire process<ref>{{Cite web |title=3 Activation - ONE X2 Support |url=https://onlinemanual.insta360.com/onex2/en-us/camera/activate |url-status=live |website=Insta360}}</ref>

This has led to widespread complaints from professional videographers who have missed critical filming opportunities and travelers who discovered they couldn't activate their cameras while abroad.

===Historical context===
This requirement marks a fundamental departure from how digital cameras have operated since their inception. From the first Kodak digital prototype in 1975 through the sophisticated DSLRs of the 2010s, cameras functioned as completely standalone devices. Users could unbox a camera, insert a memory card, and immediately begin shooting without any external dependencies or internet connections.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Digital camera - Wikipedia |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_camera |url-status=live |website=Wikipedia}}</ref>

The shift toward app-dependent cameras began around 2018-2020, primarily with action cameras and 360-degree cameras. This change wasn't driven by technical necessity but rather by evolving business models that prioritize:

*Recurring revenue through cloud services
*Data collection for analytics and advertising
*Ecosystem lock-in

==Incidents==
===Data collection during activation===
The mandatory activation requirements involve extensive data collection, including:

*Device identifiers and serial numbers
*Location data
*Usage patterns and statistics
*Personal information including email addresses

The Insta360 privacy policy acknowledges that personal data may be transferred to servers in Hong Kong and other countries, subject to different privacy protections than users' home jurisdictions.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Insta360 Connect Privacy Policy |url=https://www.insta360.com/support/supportcourse?post_id=20779 |url-status=live |website=Insta360}}</ref>

===Insta360 ONE X2 security vulnerability (''Jan. 2022'')===
A critical security vulnerability was discovered in the Insta360 ONE X2 in January 2022 that allows anyone to access the footage stored in the camera. The camera broadcasts a WiFi signal with a hardcoded password of "88888888" that:

*Cannot be changed by users
*Is identical across all Insta360 ONE X2 devices
*Allows anyone within WiFi range to connect and download all photos and videos

Security researchers described the flaw as having "more holes than Swiss cheese," noting that attackers could:

*Perform "drive-by attacks" to steal content
*Inject malware onto SD cards that would later infect users' computers
*Potentially create "wormable" attacks where one compromised camera could attack others

Despite Insta360's claims in August 2022 that the issue had been addressed, independent testing in September 2022 confirmed the vulnerability remained exploitable on firmware version 1.0.59_build1.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Petkauskas |first=Vilius |date=2022-08-31 |title=Insta360 vulnerability allows unauthorized access to user photos |url=https://cybernews.com/news/insta360-vulnerability-allows-unauthorized-access-to-user-photos/#:~:text=A%20software%20flaw%20discovered%20seven,X2%20device%20in%20January%202022 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Spadafora |first=Anthony |date=2022-08-31 |title=Own an Insta360 camera? This flaw could let anyone access your photos and videos |url=https://www.tomsguide.com/news/own-an-insta360-camera-this-flaw-could-let-anyone-access-your-photos-and-videos |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Limer |first=Eric |date=2022-08-29 |title=Vulnerability in Insta360 Cameras Lets Anyone Download Your Photos |url=https://petapixel.com/2022/08/29/vulnerability-in-insta360-cameras-lets-anyone-download-your-photos/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Haile |first=Allen |date=2022-09-06 |title=ScrewX2 and the Insta360 WiFi security hole |url=https://subethasoftware.com/2022/09/06/screwx2-and-the-insta360-wifi-security-hole/ |url-status=live |website=Sub-Etha Software}}</ref>

===Content Creator controversy (''2024'')===
In 2024, Insta360 faced backlash for allegedly asking content creators not to disclose sponsored content. PetaPixel's investigation described this as "a severe violation of trust and, no less, a crime." The company later admitted to inadequate training that led to these practices.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hilliard |first=Jaron |date=2024-05-06 |title=Insta360 Under Fire: What the Company Did to Lose Trust and How It Hopes to Win it Back |url=https://petapixel.com/2024/05/06/insta360-under-fire-what-the-company-did-to-lose-trust-and-how-it-hopes-to-win-it-back/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

==Products==

*[[Insta360 X5]]
*Insta360 X4
*Insta360 X3
*Insta360 ONE X2
*Insta360 ONE R
*Insta360 Ace Pro 2
*Insta360 GO 3S
*Insta360 Flow 2 Pro
*[[Insta360 Evo]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External Links==

*[https://consumerrights.wiki/Insta360_X5 Consumer Rights Wiki - Insta360 X5]
*[https://forums.insta360.com/ Insta360 Community Forum]

==See also==

*[[DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro]]
*[[Right to repair]]
*[[Digital rights management]]
*[[Internet of Things security]]

[[Category:Insta360]]

Android

2025-08-31T15:49:14Z

Jimbo: Add section of Android cast being restricted to google signed receivers only

{{StubNotice}}
{{InfoboxProductLine
| Title = Android
| Release Year = 2008 (Android 1.0)
| Product Type = Software
| In Production = Yes
| Official Website = https://android.com/
| Logo = Android Logo.png
}}

[[wikipedia:Android_(operating_system)|'''Android''']] is an operating system which started in 2003, got acquired by '''[[Google]]''' in 2005<ref>{{Cite web |last=Elgin |first=Ben |date=2005-08-17 |title=Google Buys Android for Its Mobile Arsenal |url=http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/aug2005/tc20050817_0949_tc024.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110227182929/http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/aug2005/tc20050817_0949_tc024.htm |archive-date=2011-02-27 |access-date=2025-07-12 |website=Bloomberg Businessweek}}</ref>, and made its first official release (Android 1.0) in 2008.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2008-09-23 |title=Announcing the Android 1.0 SDK, release 1 |url=https://android-developers.googleblog.com/2008/09/announcing-android-10-sdk-release-1.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.ph/tW5WL |archive-date=2025-07-12 |access-date=2025-07-12 |website=Android Developers Blog}}</ref> It is based on a modified version of the Linux kernel and other open-source software, designed primarily for touchscreen-based mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets, but is also used in smart TVs, cameras, in-car infotainment systems, etc.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025 |title=Why Android? |url=https://www.android.com/why-android/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.is/DZ17U |archive-date=2025-07-12 |access-date=2025-07-12 |website=Android}}</ref>

==Consumer impact summary==
With over 3.5 billion active users, open-source flexibility, affordability, and extensive device ecosystems continue to shape consumer behavior, regional adoption, and technological advancements.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=G |first=Nick |date=September 4, 2024 |title=Android Market Share in 2025: Global Dominance and Key Insights|url=https://techjury.net/industry-analysis/android-market-share |website=TechJury |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250629102621/https://techjury.net/industry-analysis/android-market-share/ |archive-date=June 29, 2025 }}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last= |first= |date= |title=Trend of Newly Released Android |url=https://www.accio.com/business/trend-of-newly-released-android |website= |archive-url= |archive-date= }}</ref> Android’s global reach, affordability, and device diversity make it the preferred OS for billions, particularly in emerging economies. It remains the world’s most widely used mobile operating system, but its dominance has been accompanied by controversies from security vulnerabilities and privacy concerns to accusations of anti-competitive behavior and declining open-source commitments.

===Global market share===
Android remains the world’s dominant mobile operating system (OS) as of 2025, holding a 72.23% global market share compared to iOS with 27.39%.<ref name=":0"></ref>
*Asia & Africa: Android dominates with 95.16% in India, 86.8% in Indonesia, and 80.88% in Africa due to affordability and device variety.<ref name=":0"></ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last1=Qadir |first1=Salam |last2=Shaikh |first2=Sohaib |date=April 20, 2025 |title=Android vs iOS Statistics 2025: Users, Revenue, and Global Trends |url=https://www.tekrevol.com/blogs/android-vs-ios-statistics/ |website=Tekrevol |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250515022542/https://www.tekrevol.com/blogs/android-vs-ios-statistics/ |archive-date=May 15, 2025 }}</ref>
*North America: Android holds 45% market share, trailing iOS (57.68%) in the U.S.<ref name=":0"></ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Howarth |first=Josh |date=April 24, 2025 |title=iPhone vs Android User Stats (2025 Data) |url=https://explodingtopics.com/blog/iphone-android-users |website=ExplodingTopics |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250709235506/https://explodingtopics.com/blog/iphone-android-users |archive-date=July 9, 2025 }}</ref>
*Europe: Android leads with 65% market share, though iOS is strong in the UK (52.29%).<ref name=":0"></ref><ref name=":3"></ref>
*Affordability: Android devices range from $100 budget phones to premium flagships, making them accessible in emerging markets.<ref name=":0"></ref><ref name=":2"></ref>
*Device Variety: Multiple manufacturers (Samsung, Xiaomi, OPPO) offer diverse options, unlike Apple’s closed ecosystem.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=Frąckiewicz |first=Marcin |date=May 16, 2025 |title=Smartphone Wars 2025: Inside the Global Market Shake-Up, Trends, and Future Tech Disruptions |url=https://ts2.tech/en/smartphone-wars-2025-inside-the-global-market-shake-up-trends-and-future-tech-disruptions/ |website=Ts2 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250720045846/https://ts2.tech/en/smartphone-wars-2025-inside-the-global-market-shake-up-trends-and-future-tech-disruptions/ |archive-date=July 20, 2025}}</ref>

==Incidents==
This is a list of all consumer protection incidents related to this software. Any incidents not mentioned here can be found in the [[:Category:{{PAGENAME}}|{{PAGENAME}} category]].

===Data collection===
{{Main|Android Data Collection}}
Android mobile devices, even when minimally configured, collect and share extensive user data with Google and provide few options for opting-out, raising privacy concerns. Settings for opting-out of sharing data with Google are generally hard to find, requiring users to search the device's settings and Google's settings to locate and toggle the settings on/off. The data shared with Google is sensitive user data including call logs, messages, data recorded from the device's microphone and camera, and more. This data is used by Google to improve the targeting of personalized advertisements and as training data for [[Google Gemini]].

===Android System Safety Core silent install===
{{Main|Android System SafetyCore}}
On January 22, 2025, Google quietly rolled out Android System SafetyCore to all Android devices. The installation of the program neither informed consumers that it was installed, nor did it request consumers to install it onto their devices.

===OEM Locked Bootloaders===
{{Main|Motorola}}
In North America, many Android devices like phones or tablets will not allow consumers to unlock and do what they want to modify the software. Therefore, it has been incredibly difficult and nearly impossible to root and install custom ROMs on the device unless an exploit has been found.

===Blocking third-party programs===
{{Main|Google blocking sideloading of unverified Android apps}}
Starting at September 2026, third-party apps will no longer be able to install on a unmodified Android in Brazil, Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand without "verified identities"<ref>{{Cite web |last=Whitwam |first=Ryan |date=26 Aug 2025 |title=Google will block sideloading of unverified Android apps starting next year |url=https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/08/google-will-block-sideloading-of-unverified-android-apps-starting-next-year/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250826032858/https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/08/google-will-block-sideloading-of-unverified-android-apps-starting-next-year/ |archive-date=26 Aug 2025 |access-date=26 Aug 2025 |website=ArsTechnica}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=26 Aug 2025 |title=Google's plan to end sideloading on Android |url=https://xdaforums.com/t/googles-plan-to-end-sideloading-on-android.4756353/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250826161809/https://xdaforums.com/t/googles-plan-to-end-sideloading-on-android.4756353/ |archive-date=26 Aug 2025 |access-date=26 Aug 2025 |website=XdaForums}}</ref>. The affected regions will expand globally in 2027. Devices without Google Mobile Service (GMS) or running a third-party ROM won't be affected. However it's hard for users to bypass/spoof [[Google Play Integrity API|Google Play Integrity]] to hide their ROM or root status to use utility apps such as most of banking apps<ref>{{Cite web |date=3 Apr 2022 |title=[Discussion] The root-and-mod-hiding/fingerprint-spoofing/keybox-stealing cat-and-mouse game |url=https://xdaforums.com/t/discussion-the-root-and-mod-hiding-fingerprint-spoofing-keybox-stealing-cat-and-mouse-game.4425939/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250823095950/https://xdaforums.com/t/discussion-the-root-and-mod-hiding-fingerprint-spoofing-keybox-stealing-cat-and-mouse-game.4425939/ |archive-date=23 Aug 2025 |access-date=26 Aug 2025 |website=XdaForums}}</ref>.

===Android Cast restricted to Google -signed receivers===
In Android, streaming over network is referred as "Casting". In Android 4.4 Miracast support was introduced. Miracast is an open standard by the Wi-Fi -alliance which makes it possible to stream screen contents as well as high quality multichannel audio over wireless networks.

In Android 9, Miracast was fully replaced with proprietrary Chromecast -protocol. Chromecast protocol includes signing key verification of both the Cast source and receiver device, meaning that since Android 9 it is no longer possible to cast high quality content to receivers which aren't signed by Google. This means that unlike AirPlay on Apple devices, there's no way to stream multichannel Hi-Fi audio on Android unless the receiver has a valid vendor signature.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Weiske |first=Christian |date=2025-08-31 |title=Android/Lineage OS and Screen mirroring ("Cast") |url=https://p.cweiske.de/669 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250831142415/https://p.cweiske.de/669 |archive-date=2025-08-31 |access-date=2025-08-31}}</ref>

==References==
<references />
[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]

Android data collection

2025-08-31T15:11:41Z

Jimbo: Expanded section of alternatives, specified the source of data collection being google services instead of the android os itself

This article addresses the manner in which Android phones share personal user information with [[Google]], usually in a complete user unaware and unapproved way, and the legal consequences Google has endured for deceptive practices in users' location tracking.

==Background==
'''[[Android]]''', the global top mobile operating system,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mobile Operating System Market Share Worldwide |url=https://gs.statcounter.com/os-market-share/mobile/worldwide |url-status=live |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |website=[[StatCounter]]}}</ref> is used to power billions of devices globally. Tests have shown that Android phones with Google services transmit user data to Google on multiple occasions even when users try to restrict sharing of data via settings. This has encouraged increasing alarm over user privacy, transparency, and personal data control.

A study found that data collection happens without any chance to opt out even before the user has even opened their first app.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jones |first=Connor |date=4 Mar 2025 |title=How Google tracks Android device users before they've even opened an app |url=https://www.theregister.com/2025/03/04/google_android/ |access-date=2025-03-05 |website=The Register}}</ref>

Moreover, most phone vendors do their own tracking on top and pre-install so-called bloatware in exchange for payment from the respective company, such as social media and shopping apps (Facebook, TikTok, Aliexpress, eBay, …), which transmit data in the background without user consent even if the apps are never even opened and the user never agreed to their TOS.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Trinity College Dublin |date=October 11, 2021 |title=Study reveals scale of data-sharing from Android mobile phones |url=https://techxplore.com/news/2021-10-reveals-scale-data-sharing-android-mobile.html |access-date=2025-03-05 |website=TechXplore}}</ref>

==Data sharing with Google==
A research examined the frequency of data sharing between Google and Android phones with Google services.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Leith |first=Douglas J. |date=25 Mar 2021 |title=Mobile Handset Privacy: Measuring The Data iOS and Android Send to Apple And Google |url=https://www.scss.tcd.ie/doug.leith/apple_google.pdf |url-status=live |access-date=15 Mar 2025}}</ref> The research showed that even if an Android phone is set to minimal setting and left on its own, it shares data with Google on average every 4.5 minutes. The shared data includes sensitive information like:

*IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity)

*Hardware serial number
*SIM serial number and IMSI (International Mobile Subscriber Identity)
*Handset phone number

In addition, Google services on Android sends telemetry data to Google even when customers directly decline to have their data collected. For instance, each time a SIM card is inserted into the device, Google services sends its information to Google automatically.

Data exchanged with Google by Google Messages and Google Dialer applications on an Android smartphone was also researched.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Leith |first=Douglas J. |date=28 Feb 2022 |title=What Data Do The Google Dialer and Messages Apps On Android Send to Google? |url=https://www.scss.tcd.ie/doug.leith/privacyofdialerandsmsapps.pdf |url-status=live |access-date=15 Mar 2025}}</ref> These applications report to Google whenever messages are being sent/received or calls are being received/made. Precisely:

*Google Messages sends a message text hash so Google can match the sender and receiver in a message exchange.
*Google Dialer also transmits call time and call duration to Google for linking both devices for a call.
*Both of the apps forward phone numbers to Google.
*Both user interaction timing and duration with both apps are also forwarded to Google in addition to the above.

No exemption option exists in the data transmission. Data comes through two pathways:

#The Google Play Services Clearcut logger.
#Google/Firebase Analytics.

===Location History Lawsuit===
Google misled some Android users into thinking that the setting titled “Location History” was the only Google account setting that affected whether the company collected, kept and used personally identifiable data about their location. In fact, another account setting titled “Web & App Activity” also enabled Google to collect, store and use personally identifiable location data when it was turned on, and that setting was turned on by default.

For this, Google was sued in the United States<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gatlan |first=Sergiu |date=14 Nov 2022 |title=Google will pay $391M to settle Android location tracking lawsuit |url=https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/google/google-will-pay-391m-to-settle-android-location-tracking-lawsuit/ |url-status=live |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |website=[[BleepingComputer]]}}</ref> and in Australia.<ref>{{Cite web |date=12 Aug 2022 |title=Google LLC to pay $60 million for misleading representations |url=https://www.accc.gov.au/media-release/google-llc-to-pay-60-million-for-misleading-representations |url-status=live |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |website=[[ACCC]]}}</ref>

==Privacy respecting alternatives==
Not many alternatives are available to users for completely avoiding this data sharing. Attempts to disable data collection via settings, Android integration with Google services does make it impossible to fully discontinue the passing on of person and device details.<ref name=":0" />

The use of [[wikipedia:List_of_custom_Android_distributions|custom ROMs]] or privacy-focused applications, do cut down on sharing data, these are likely to require technical know-how and are not necessarily in the hands of the average user.

In general, Google services which are the source of most of the data collection serve two functions:

# Application dependencies, like network location services, debugging tooling, advertising services etc.
# Application distribution

An privacy replacing alternative should therefore have an alternative for these functions.

Perhaps the only Google -free alternate configuration comprises of MicroG applications, which is an open source reimplementation of Google services. It provides necessary dependencies so that most of the applications which depend on Google services can function on a device without those Google services.

As for application distribution, few alternate channels, such as F-droid and Aurora Store exists.

[https://murena.com/ Murena], Fairphone and [https://iode.tech/ Iodé] sells devices pre-installed with de-googled Android based on LineageOS and MicroG, making privacy friendly Android phones accessible to non-technical users. However, the operating system called /e/ on Murena devices has a history of not always addressing security vulnerabilities in a timely manner<ref>{{Cite web |last=Duval |first=Gael |date=Sep 2023 |title=Some clarification regarding security vs privacy in /e/OS |url=https://community.e.foundation/t/some-clarification-regarding-security-vs-privacy-in-e-os/51839 |url-status=live |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |website=[[e]]}}</ref>. However the situation is still much better than the millions of phones in active use that no longer get manufacturer support.

==References==
<references />
[[Category:Android]]
[[Category:Data collection]]