A recent study comparing Android and iOS application security has revealed some intriguing insights. Conducted by Ernestas Napris, a journalist for Cybernews, this experiment involved installing the 100 most popular programs from the German App Store on both a new iPhone and a new Android phone. Both devices were then left idle, and the frequency and destination of their communications with external servers were meticulously monitored.
Over five days, the iPhone sent an average of 3,308 requests per day, while the Android phone averaged 2,323 requests per day. Despite Android’s lower frequency of data transmission, iOS may still offer better security. This is because a significant portion of iOS data requests—nearly 60%—are sent to Apple, whereas only 24% of Android requests go to Google, with the rest directed to third-party companies. This difference in destination highlights a potential advantage for iOS in terms of data privacy.
Geographically, most data requests originated from the US, followed by Sweden, Germany, Ireland, and Poland. The iPhone contacted Russian servers once daily, while the Android device did so 13 times more frequently. In terms of Chinese servers, the iPhone showed no contact despite having Chinese software installed, whereas the Android device checked these servers five times daily. This significant difference in server communication patterns underscores the varying degrees of exposure to potential foreign surveillance.
Third-Party Connections and Privacy Implications
Further analysis highlighted the iPhone’s superior performance concerning online services with questionable privacy practices. For instance, the iPhone contacted Facebook servers 20 times daily, compared to Android’s nearly 200 times. TikTok connections on iOS amounted to 36 times, all directed to a ByteDance server outside China, while the Android device contacted TikTok almost 800 times. These differences illustrate how iOS’s communication is more centralized and controlled, which could be advantageous for user privacy.
The implications of these findings are significant. Data transmitted to servers in countries like Russia or China could potentially be accessed by authorities in those regions. Once data crosses borders, it may be subject to local jurisdiction, posing privacy risks for users, notes NIX Solutions.
Napris suggested several reasons for the differences in behavior between iOS and Android. Firstly, no app in the Apple App Store can be considered blatant advertising software. The apps on the App Store are backed by major platforms and are more useful than the ad-filled, dubious apps often found on Google Play. Additionally, Apple’s strict privacy policies and closed ecosystem limit developer access to user data, enhancing security. Apple’s rigorous rules for developers ensure that data access is restricted and monitored, creating a more secure environment for users.
While neither iOS nor Android achieved perfect scores in this analysis, users concerned about privacy should consider these findings. We’ll keep you updated on any further developments in this ongoing comparison of mobile platform security. These insights could guide future decisions for users who prioritize data security and privacy in their choice of mobile operating systems.