Soon after reports emerged about how Google continues to monitor a user's location even if the location services have been turned off, a new study has claimed that the search giant also resorts to passive methods of data collection which are often overlooked.
Soon after reports emerged about how Google continues to monitor a user's location even if the location services have been turned off, a new study has claimed that the search giant also resorts to passive methods of data collection which are often overlooked.
A study by Vanderbilt University claims that Android smartphones are collecting almost 10 times more data than Apple iOS. In the study, the researchers have looked at the less obvious ways for Google to collect data where the user may not be aware of sharing the information.
Such methods include the use of platforms such as Android and Chrome, apps such as Search, YouTube, Maps, and publisher tools like Google Analytics and AdSense. According to Mashable, Google has disputed the study by saying that it contains wildly misleading information. However, what is startling from the study is that both Android and Chrome were found sharing data with Google even through a stationary Android phone.
The researchers found that the idle Android phone with Chrome active in the background sent location information to Google 340 times during a 24-hour period. This rate is significantly higher when compared to Apple iOS.
Recently, Google announced that the next version of Android has been named Android Pie. An over-the-air update to Android 9 will begin rolling out to Pixel phones and devices that participated in the Beta program from Sony Mobile, Xiaomi, HMD Global, Oppo, Vivo, OnePlus, and Essential, as well as all qualifying Android One devices, will receive this update soon.
At the moment, there are only four smartphones which are receiving the Pie update directly from Google - Pixel 2, Pixel 2 XL, Pixel and Pixel XL. Go to the Settings app on your Pixel device and head to About phone > System updates > Check for update > Download and install. The update is said to take roughly 30 minutes.
Google has also included non-Pixel or Nexus phones as part of its Android beta program. The list includes Nokia 7 Plus, OnePlus 6, Xiaomi Mi Mix 2S, Essential PH‑1, Sony Xperia XZ2, OPPO R15 Pro and Vivo X21.
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