Android's Secret Tracking: Google's Data Collection Without Consent

Research by Doug Leith, Professor and Chair of Computer Systems at Trinity College Dublin, reveals that Android secretly collects user data, including advertising cookies, before users even open their first app. This data collection, facilitated by pre-installed apps like Google Play Services and the Google Play Store, occurs without user consent and lacks an opt-out mechanism. Key trackers include the DSID cookie and the Google Android ID, which continues sending data even after logout. Leith argues this may violate data protection laws like GDPR. Google responded by stating their commitment to privacy laws but didn't directly address the specific issues. This discovery, coupled with the recent controversy surrounding the consent-less installation of Android System SafetyCore, fuels concerns about Google's data collection practices.