A study by Trinity College Dublin has revealed persistent privacy issues in Android devices, despite recent upgrades like Android 15 and 16 emphasizing on-device AI processing for security. Researchers found Google silently stores tracking data via pre-installed apps without user consent or opt-out options. This contradicts marketing claims from Google and Samsung about strict privacy protections in features like scam detection and photo scanning.
Google disputes the study’s legal analysis but confirms no plans to halt the tracking, while also delaying cookie deprecation in Chrome and expanding digital fingerprinting. Samsung, reliant on Android for its Galaxy devices, faces challenges catching up with iPhone’s privacy standards due to these legacy issues. Users of Pixel and Galaxy phones remain vulnerable, as hidden data collection persists despite new privacy-focused AI tools.
Experts urge regulators to address the tracking practices and push for default opt-outs to align marketing promises with reality.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/zakdoffman/2025/03/11/googles-android-decision-bad-news-for-all-samsung-pixel-users